The top five rugby players in the world today have been named

Huge names, such a Tom Curry and Finn Russell miss out, with fans baffled by George North’s inclusion at number 10.

Below is RadioTimes list of the best rugby players in the world in 2021.

Do you agree with their somewhat strange selection?

They said: "The brain and brawn inside England’s pack, Maro Itoje has developed into arguably the best lock in world rugby.

"He is almost impossible to wriggle out of during a maul and can turn over balls in a flash. Still aged just 26, Itoje has plenty of international and domestic rugby ahead of him."

DID YOU KNOW? So far in his rugby career, he has won four English Premiership titles with Saracens, three European Rugby Champions Cup titles, and three Six Nations Championship titles

They said: "The scrum-half is the mastermind behind New Zealand’s tactical battles and knows when to kick and chase like no other. Smith will likely surpass 100 caps for New Zealand in 2021.

"His form for the All Blacks in recent years, coupled with his durability in a Highlanders team that runs hot and cold, is why he remains high on this list."

DID YOU KNOW? Smith became the most-capped scrum-half in New Zealand's history in the 2018 season

They said: "If there is one man capable of matching Smith it is Antoine Dupont – the French scrum-half who inspired a Bleus revival during the 2020 Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup. Dupont is aged just 23 yet his impact on international and domestic rugby has already been felt."

DID YOU KNOW? Dupont was born in Lannemezan but grew up in the nearby village of Castelnau-Magnoac where he started rugby for Magnoac FC at the age of 4 years old

Plenty of league players switch codes to union but few have made such a success of it in recent times as Radradra.

The Fijian is always ready to collect the ball and charge, and has the uncanny ability to time his runs and snap up a kick to the corner.

French rugby’s loss in 2020 was England’s gain. Radradra was wanted by “every top club on the planet”, claimed Bears director of rugby Pat Lam.

His arrival in England has made the Premiership even more entertaining at a moment where coronavirus has greatly affected clubs up and down the pyramid.

DID YOU KNOW? He played international rugby league for Fiji and Australia

They said: "A team-mate of Dupont at Toulouse, Cheslin Kolbe wasn’t able to show us his international credentials in 2020 due to coronavirus.

"But the South African can afford to take a year out from the Springboks stage and still be considered one of the best rugby players on the planet. Kolbe scored in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final victory over England and has been integral to the Springboks’ resurgence to the top of the international pile.

"Kolbe is the grand master of the side-step. Happy to run with the ball gripped in his hand, the 27-year-old has the balance and vision to overcome practically any one-on-one situation.

"He attracts attention thanks to those dazzling feet and is arguably the most entertaining player currently in world rugby."

DID YOU KNOW? Kolbe was a member of the South Africa Sevens team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics