The Best Rugby Players in the World (Ranked 10-1)

Here, we rank the ten best players in the world based on form, impact, and influence, shown throughout an unforgettable international window and beyond this year.

Scotland’s chief playmaker was the heartbeat of the Lions’ attacking edge this summer— his vision, ingenuity and game control igniting their most dangerous moments. A 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, Russell has matured from free-wheeling maverick into a master strategist, balancing invention with authority to deadly effect.

Whether weaving magic for Bath or steering Scotland around the pitch, few possess his capacity to shape the narrative of a match. At his peak, he’s far more than a fly-half — he’s an artist with ball in hand.

Springbok powerhouse Ox Nché has forged a reputation on brute force paired with impeccable scrummaging mechanics. Shorter and more explosive than many of his rivals, he uses his low centre of gravity to dominate the set piece. But he offers more than scrum superiority — relentless defence and surprising mobility make him a complete front-rower. After becoming the first prop ever shortlisted for World Player of the Year, he can count himself unlucky not to place higher.

Cheslin Kolbe may divide opinion, but few can deny his match-breaking brilliance. While some question his club form in Japan, Kolbe has delivered repeatedly on the biggest stages.

A double World Cup champion, he has scored in finals, dazzled on Lions tours and produced countless decisive moments for the Springboks. Whether scorching defenders or clutching up under pressure, Kolbe thrives when the stakes are highest. At full speed, he remains one of rugby’s great spectacles.

It was in Ireland — not New Zealand — that Jordie Barrett showed he can excel anywhere.

Across six months with Leinster, he shone in a squad stacked with talent, scoring tries, collecting awards and helping secure a URC title. His versatility is unmatched: comfortable at 10, 12, 15 or wherever a coach needs him.

Add 50-plus All Blacks caps, and it’s easy to see his value. Smart, physical and composed, Barrett has progressed from utility option to authoritative game-driver. Dropping him here after an injury against Ireland would be harsh.

Few players have burst onto the European scene as explosively as Damian Penaud this year. He shredded defences throughout the Champions Cup, smashing records with 14 tries — six in one match — and powering Bordeaux to their first European crown. His Player of the Year award was richly deserved.

But Penaud is more than a try machine. He combines strength, footwork and razor-sharp timing with a flair for the spectacular. At 29, he’s a proven big-game force. Even after a quieter autumn, he holds his place at six.

Ardie Savea’s switch to Moana Pasifika was far more than symbolic — he arrived to compete, and he’s delivered. His leadership lifted the side to landmark wins, and he wrapped up Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year with matches to spare. Savea’s explosive power and calm authority continue to make him central for the All Blacks.

Others may have climbed the rankings since last year, but his class is beyond question.

Pieter-Steph du Toit is one of rugby’s great workers — a player who wins not through flash but through intelligence, grit and relentless commitment. His 28 tackles in the 2023 World Cup final stand as one of the sport’s defining efforts.

A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, du Toit remains dominant at 33, driven by a hunger that’s barely faded. His legacy is already secure, built on heart and unmatched work rate.

At just 22, Louis Bielle-Biarrey has rewritten expectations for young wings. Bordeaux’s all-time leading try scorer and the Six Nations record-holder for tries in a single championship (eight), he is achieving feats most players only imagine.

He exploded onto the Champions Cup stage at 18 with a debut hat-trick. Last season, he fired Bordeaux to a first European title and claimed Six Nations Player of the Tournament. Electric pace, fearlessness and rare tactical maturity define him. His standout autumn for France, even as teammates faltered, earned him a deserved World Player of the Year nomination.

FrFresh off being crowned World Player of the Year, Malcolm Marx surges into second place after a standout season of Test rugby. A tireless, all-action hooker who pops up in every corner of the pitch, Marx currently sets the global standard for his position.

He made history at the World Rugby Awards, becoming the first hooker since 2001 — and only the second ever after Keith Wood — to claim the men’s 15s Player of the Year honour. The 31-year-old has been central to South Africa’s success, starting 11 of their 14 Tests this year and crossing for five tries.

His influence has been pivotal in a remarkable season for the Springboks, who retained the Rugby Championship title and suffered only two defeats.

Despite missing months with an ACL injury, Antoine Dupont’s hold on the sport remains firm. His achievements are extraordinary: World Rugby Player of the Year in both 15s (2021) and Sevens (2024), a three-time Six Nations Player of the Tournament, and an Olympic gold medallist.

He is the only player ever to win both major global rugby awards, highlighting his unique versatility. Add five Top 14 crowns, two European Cups and a glittering sevens résumé, and he’s conquered every form of the game.

This weekend marked his long-awaited return after eight months out — and he immediately impressed, helping Toulouse to a 48–24 bonus-point win over Racing 92 and extending their Top 14 lead.