LIST: 5 rugby players who've gone BACKWARDS in 2021

Plenty of players have hit the heights in their career, only to suffer a huge fall from grace.

Many fans complain about the guy who never replicated the form from their games but who are those who’ve effectively gone backwards over the last eight months?

World ranking 2020 via Wales Online: #28 - "Tough as teak, he continues to be key to Eddie Jones' relentless England juggernaut. Leads by example, surely the Lions 10 next year?"

How it's turned out: Farrell's ability and record speaks for itself, he is a class act, but it's been a difficult year so far for the 29-year-old.

The England skipper was off the pace throughout the Six Nations before making just two uninspiring replacement appearances for the Lions during their 2-1 series defeat against South Africa.

His starting place with England is now under serious threat as fans clamour to see exciting prospect Marcus Smith make the number 10 shirt his own. It really does feel like 2022 will be make or break for Farrell.

DID YOU KNOW? Farrell held the record of youngest player ever to appear in English professional rugby union after playing for Saracens 11 days after his 17th birthday

World ranking 2020 via Wales Online: #1 -"Whether it's for Bristol Bears or Fiji, he has the ability to create havoc for defences. He can go the direct route, bashing his way through in the centre, or he can take the scenic outside route, putting on the afterburners to arc around the opposition before delivering the decisive pass or offload."

How it turned out: The only way from being ranked number one in the world is downward. Injury means he hasn't played a game during the 2021/22 Premiership season, meaning his stock has undoubtedly fallen.

World ranking 2020 via Wales Online: #10 - "Is there anything the Wales flanker can't do? Has the handling skills of an outside back combined with the lineout, breakdown and tackling fluency of the finest loose forwards in the world."

No offence to Tipuric, but was he at any stage the tenth best player in the world? Probably not. Ruled out of the Lions tour before it even started with a dislocated shoulder, it hasn't been the best of years for the dynamic back-rower.

World ranking 2020 via Wales Online: #37 - "Without always being at his best, he's still shown he's a class act for Ireland and Leinster with some dominant line-out displays and eye-catching effort around the field."

How it turned out: Not that long ago, Ryan was nailed on to start the Tests for the Lions and appeared in numerous pundits World XV, which makes the locks drop off in form all the more surprising.

Ryan made a very poor start to the Six Nations with Devin Toner and Iain Henderson preferred by Andy Farrell as the tournament went on.

Certainly still has a lot of potential but 2021 has been a big backwards step in his overall development.

DID YOU KNOW? He is the Great Grandson of Irish Politician and Easter Rising Revolutionary James Ryan

World ranking 2020 via Wales Online: #30 - "It's clear to see how much England miss their No. 8 powerhouse when he's not there. Just a massive, massive carrier."

How it turned out: Despite their relegation, their international players' lack of form and the sparsity of recent matches, Saracens were the best-represented club in the 2021 Lions squad.

However, one Saracen who was overlooked was the younger Vunipola.

A poor Six Nations didn't help his cause, before he missed out on the Autumn Nations Series squad all together.

DID YOU KNOW? Vunipola was born in Sydney in Australia to Tongan parents