Eight England stars included in list of Top 50 players in the world right now

Their positions on the list reflect a mix of current influence and long-term value, and together they offer a snapshot of where England’s playing depth now sits. Each has taken a different path through the year, but all left a clear mark on club and international rugby.

Breaking into the list at number 49, Henry Pollock’s rise over the past season has been rapid and hard to ignore. His club form for Northampton included important tries in the Premiership and Champions Cup, notably during knockout wins over Castres and Leinster.

Those performances brought individual recognition, including a nomination for European Player of the Year and the Premiership Breakthrough award. At Test level, his impact was immediate. Off the bench against Wales, he scored twice on debut to become the youngest English try-scorer in Six Nations history. Further tries in the autumn and a British & Irish Lions call-up confirmed how quickly he has moved from prospect to presence.

Placed 42nd on the list, Ollie Lawrence’s year was shaped by stops and starts, largely due to injury, but his quality was evident whenever he returned. After battling back from a long-term absence, another setback on England duty limited his autumn availability, yet his performances against Fiji and New Zealand stood out.

There was a confidence to his carrying and a sharp edge in contact that had been building over time. Lawrence has grown into a centre who looks comfortable imposing himself on top tier opposition, and despite an interrupted campaign, his physical authority and maturity earned him a place among the world’s leading players.

Although unable to add to his England caps, the player ranked 39th continued to underline his class in France. Jack Willis was again central to Toulouse’s success, delivering standout performances in the Champions Cup and Top 14. He scored tries in consecutive European knockout rounds and collected another man-of-the-match award, before finishing the season with two tries in the Top 14 final as Toulouse lifted the title.

His breakdown work, consistency and big-game temperament remain among the best in the world, and his inclusion in the list reflects a player performing at the highest level regardless of international eligibility.

Few players climbed the rankings on the back of pure form quite like the man sitting at 37. Tommy Freeman enjoyed a remarkable run through the spring, scoring heavily in Europe and domestically. Hat-tricks against Clermont and Leinster defined Northampton’s Champions Cup campaign, and his finishing became a weekly expectation rather than a surprise.

That confidence carried into the Six Nations, where he scored in every round, a first for an England player, and delivered decisive moments in tight wins over France and Scotland. His selection for the British & Irish Lions capped a season where output and reliability went hand in hand.

At 27th, Tom Curry’s position reflected another year of relentless consistency. The Six Nations began with a milestone moment as he started alongside his brother Ben for the first time at Test level, marking the occasion with a try in Dublin. Further contributions followed as England pushed for the title, and his value was reinforced during the Lions tour of Australia.

Curry scored in the opening Test and again in Melbourne as the Lions sealed the series, before starting the final match. His influence rarely comes with fanfare, but few players match his work rate or physical commitment over long stretches.

Sitting just inside the top 25, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s season was one of sharp contrasts. After a long spell without club rugby, he returned for Exeter with immediate impact, scoring freely and showcasing the power and speed that make him such a threat. Internationally, progress was slowed by shoulder surgery and a subsequent suspension after a red card in an England XV fixture.

Even so, England’s coaches remained committed to him, recognising the damage he can do when available. His ranking reflects a player who changes the shape of games, even during a disrupted year.

Only one England player ranked higher than Maro Itoje, who came in at number 12 after a season defined by leadership. Taking over as England captain ahead of the Six Nations, he guided the side through narrow wins over France and Scotland and lifted the Calcutta Cup.

He also reached the milestone of 100 international caps across England and Lions appearances, and his standing within the game was further underlined when he was named captain of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour. His influence remains constant, even as roles and responsibilities evolve.

The highest-ranked England player, at number 10, was Ben Earl. His year combined consistency with standout performances, particularly in the autumn, where back-to-back man-of-the-match awards against Australia and Fiji highlighted his growing authority.

Earl’s pace, endurance and ability to make ground through contact continue to set him apart, even without the size of more traditional number eights. Two Test appearances for the Lions rounded off a campaign that confirmed his place among the very best forwards in the world.