The 10 best rugby players in the world ranked – no England players make the cut

Monday, 14 September 2026 at 10:48

bySteven Smith

The 10 best rugby players in the world have been ranked, with not a single England star making the cut.

FloRugby has completed its countdown of the world's top 100 players heading into the 2026/27 season, culminating in a fascinating top 10.

France and South Africa dominate the elite group, while Ireland, New Zealand and Italy are also represented.

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There is no room for an England player, with Northampton Saints star Tommy Freeman their highest-ranked representative at number 20.

There are some huge calls further up, too. Antoine Dupont has dropped to sixth, Ardie Savea is fifth and a new name has been crowned the best player in the world.

Here is the FloRugby top 10 – along with the RUCK verdict on every selection.

10. Tommaso Menoncello – Italy

What they wrote: FloRugby highlighted Menoncello's combination of size, pace and control in midfield, as well as his importance to an improving Italy side.

The centre, who was named 2024 Six Nations Player of the Championship, is joining Toulouse after his move from Benetton was confirmed earlier this year.

RUCK verdict: There’s little doubt Menoncello belongs in the conversation when discussing the world's best centres. However, putting him among the 10 best players on the planet feels slightly premature.

He has all the tools to justify this position over the coming years, but there are several established Test stars we'd currently have ahead of him.

9. Ox Nché – South Africa

What they wrote: The Springbok loosehead's place in the top 10 reflects just how influential he has become, particularly in a South African side whose dominance continues to be built around forward power.

Nché was nominated for the 2025 World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year award, becoming the first prop to receive a nomination since 2001.

RUCK verdict: No complaints here. Props rarely receive the recognition afforded to backs and back-rowers in rankings like these, but Nché deserves it.

He can completely change a Test match from the scrum and remains one of the most destructive weapons available to the Springboks.

8. Jamison Gibson-Park – Ireland

What they wrote: Gibson-Park's ability to dictate tempo has been identified as one of his greatest strengths, with his quick service central to the way both Ireland and Leinster want to play.

The scrum-half has made a remarkable jump after sitting 29th in FloRugby's ranking last year.

RUCK verdict: A world-class nine, but eighth overall will certainly divide opinion.

Gibson-Park has been outstanding for Ireland and Leinster, but placing him this high means putting him ahead of some enormous names. We'd struggle to have him above the likes of Will Jordan, Finn Russell and Cheslin Kolbe.

7. Thomas Ramos – France

What they wrote: Ramos' goal-kicking, versatility and ability to perform under pressure have established him as one of the most valuable backs in world rugby.

He became France's record points scorer in 2025 and continued adding to that total during their successful 2026 Six Nations campaign.

RUCK verdict: Possibly one of the most underrated players in international rugby.

Ramos might not generate the same global attention as Dupont, but his ability to pile up points and influence massive matches is phenomenal. Seventh doesn't feel outrageous at all.

6. Antoine Dupont – France

What they wrote: FloRugby acknowledge that Dupont would likely be at, or very close to, number one had he not missed such a significant amount of rugby following the serious knee injury he suffered in 2025.

After more than nine months out, he returned to captain France again during the 2026 Six Nations.

RUCK verdict: Too low.

Even accounting for his injury lay-off, it's difficult to name five rugby players you'd genuinely rather have in your team than Dupont.

At his best, he remains arguably the most influential individual player in world rugby.

5. Ardie Savea – New Zealand

What they wrote: Last year's number one remains safely inside the top five after another season showcasing his carrying, tackling, breakdown work and extraordinary engine.

Savea also entered 2026 with more than 100 New Zealand caps and was appointed All Blacks captain.

RUCK verdict: You could make a convincing case for Savea being number one, never mind fifth.

His performances during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry only strengthened that argument. Even when New Zealand are struggling, Savea seems capable of dragging them forward almost single-handedly.

4. Malcolm Marx – South Africa

What they wrote: Marx's position follows another huge individual accolade after he was crowned 2025 World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year.

His breakdown ability, carrying power and set-piece work have made him one of the most complete hookers in Test rugby.

RUCK verdict: Completely justified.

Marx has a legitimate claim to being one of the greatest hookers of the professional era and continues to perform at an astonishing level. His ability over the ball alone can completely change Test matches.

Fourth might actually be conservative.

3. Tadhg Beirne – Ireland

What they wrote: Beirne's ability to influence virtually every area of forward play earns him third spot.

FloRugby highlighted his versatility between lock and flanker alongside his lineout, breakdown and defensive work. He also made 73 tackles and won seven turnovers during the 2026 Six Nations.

RUCK verdict: Outstanding player, but third-best player in the world is a huge call.

Beirne's consistency deserves enormous credit and few forwards offer his versatility, but we'd struggle to place him ahead of Dupont, Savea or Marx.

2. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – South Africa

What they wrote: Sacha's incredible rise continues, having climbed from 40th last year to second in the world.

The Springbok fly-half's attacking threat, kicking and ability to control matches were key factors, while his spectacular 37-point performance against Argentina remains a major landmark.

FloRugby have gone even further in a separate analysis, arguing that the 24-year-old is already South Africa's best rugby player.

RUCK verdict: The scary thing is that this might not look controversial for very long.

Sacha has the potential to become the defining fly-half of his generation. Number two already is aggressive, particularly with Dupont and Savea below him, but his trajectory is frightening.

1. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – France

What they wrote: There's officially a new number one.

Bielle-Biarrey takes top spot following a sensational period for France and Bordeaux. He was named Six Nations Player of the Championship for the second successive year after scoring a tournament-record nine tries in five matches in 2026.

FloRugby has published a separate breakdown of why Bielle-Biarrey is their world's best player, pointing to his extraordinary production in the biggest matches for club and country.

RUCK verdict: This will create debate.

Bielle-Biarrey is unquestionably among the most dangerous players on the planet and his try-scoring numbers are ridiculous.

But would we currently pick him ahead of Dupont, Savea, Marx and Sacha as the best rugby player in the world? Probably not.

There is a difference between being the world's most lethal finisher and its best all-round rugby player.

No England players make the top 10

Perhaps the biggest talking point for England supporters is their complete absence.

In fact, you have to go all the way down to number 20 to find the first Englishman, with Northampton Saints and British & Irish Lions star Tommy Freeman taking that position.

FloRugby highlighted Freeman's outstanding season, which included 18 tries in 17 Northampton appearances, as they revealed players ranked 20 to 11.

Despite the likes of Freeman, Maro Itoje, Tom Curry and Ben Earl establishing themselves as major Test performers, England do not have a single representative among FloRugby's elite 10.