"Overlooked" - 5 Best Rugby Players That NEVER Played at the Rugby World Cup

Many of the best rugby players throughout history have had their defining moments at the Rugby World Cups. From Jonny Wilkinson's immortalised drop goal, to Jonah Lomu running roughshod over England in '95, the all-time greats have always shone on the Rugby World Cup stage.

However, throughout Rugby World Cup history there have been some noticeable anomalies, in fantastic players that have never appeared at the competition. Be it a case of untimely injuries, unexpected bans or being 'born in the wrong generation' these top talents never made it to the bright lights of the Rugby World Cup.

There are plenty of honourable mentions to consider for this list, especially those who departed England for overseas adventures. The likes of Steffon Armitage and soon to be Montpellier star Sam Simmonds, have all gone without World Cup caps due to signing deals in France. Also, additional honourable mentions go out to all of the stars of the early amateur era.

It could be considered a slight cop-out to fill this list with the likes of Wales' greatest ever player Gareth Edwards, Ireland's leading lock Willie John McBride or legendary England captain Bill Beaumont, as these stars of yester-year all graced the pitch before the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.

So, with all that considered here are RUCK's picks for the Top Five Rugby Players to never play a match at the Rugby World Cup.

Narrowly missing out on three Rugby World Cups, Danny Cipriani is one player who England fans believed should have achieved more caps for his country. 16 appearances for his country is not a bad international record, yet Cipriani was undoubtedly overlooked throughout his career which stretched for decade.

At just 20-years-old, Cipriani had exploded onto the Premiership stage with Wasps. A calm and collected fly-half, despite being a Premiership 'rookie', Cipriani could read the top-level game like a veteran and soon caught the attention of the England coaching staff. The versatile back was called up for the Wider training squad ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, yet missed the grade when the squad was cut down.

The heroes of 2003 were favoured, with a young Cipriani unable to budge Jonny Wilkinson at fly half, or Jason Robinson who had been moved to fullback. This Wilkinson glass ceiling remained for Cipriani for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with the veteran halfback preferred once again, alongside Toby Flood. Cipriani was not given the opportunity to showcase his talents at fullback, with Ben Foden selected as the only 'out-and-out' number 15.

Momentum started to swing in Cipriani's favour ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, as he shone on the previous year's England tour to New Zealand. He was additionally included for the 2015 Six Nations, making his mark with an off-the-bench try against Italy. However, He was overlooked once again when it came to selection, and missed out on the 2015 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

For a talent of such quality as Ngani Laumape to be kept out two Rugby World Cup squads, the positional rivals must be of an exceptional calibre. A classic example of a player that would become the first name on the team sheet for a tier two or three nation, Ngani Laumape has been kicked to the hard to come back from fringes of the All Blacks selection pool.

The centre had his international break-out as recently as 2017. After a stunning debut against Samoa and continued impressive performances in a black jersey, Laumape was called up to take on the touring 2017 British and Irish Lions. Laumape's call up pushed Malakai Fekitoa out, with the Benetton centre moving so far away from the All Blacks fringes, he recently found himself called up into the Tongan national side.

Circumstances seemed set for Laumape's Rugby World Cup debut in 2019, he was excelling in Super Rugby with the Hurricanes, having scored 13 tries in 16 games that season. However Head Coach Steve Hansen had alternative ideas, and left Laumape off the list for Japan, in what is considered amongst the harshest omissions in recent Rugby World Cup history.

Hansen instead selected Sonny Bill Williams, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown and Ryan Crotty as out-an-out centres, leaving no space for the then Hurricanes star. Laumape has struggled to get back in the All Blacks fold, with fleeting appearances in the 2020 Rugby Championship being his latest inclusion. With younger All Blacks stars breaking through, Laumape has once again missed out on selection for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

However, this could well play into his favour, following recent reports of Laumape welcoming the idea of representing his native Tonga with Fekitoa, when his 'stand-down' period expires in 2025. At 30-years-old, Laumape certainly has one more Rugby World Cup cycle in him. Here's hoping that the bulldozing centre can keep fit, and stay at the top of his game to run out in Tongan colours at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Breaking out onto the Premiership scene for the 2006/07 season, Nick Abendanon lit up the English top division with exhilarating performances for Bath. Flying in for scores from fullback or along the wing, Abendanon scored 10 tries in his inaugural season at the Rec. This prompted the conversation for Abendanon's England call-up, as he was fast-tracked into the wider training squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

However, Abendanon was unable to secure an initial spot for France, missing out to the favoured Josh Lewsey. However, a late injury to Lewsey saw Abendanon called in for the last training week, ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. Unfortunatly, the Dutch-born flyer was not included for the match-day squad, as England suffered a 15-6 defeat to the Springboks.

Consistent form within the England Saxons put Abendanon amongst the conversation for inclusion at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. However, despite the public opinion calling for Abendanon's inclusion, the talented winger was again left out of the squad, with Martin Johnson having the decisive call this time around. Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Mark Cueto and Ben Foden were all preferred over Abendanon, who missed out on the trip to New Zealand.

Abendanon would not wait to be let down a third time, as he called time on his England career following a move away from the Premiership. The fullback left Bath after over 200 caps in 2014, setting his sights on ventures in France, agreeing a deal with Clermont Auvergne.

Abendanon progressed into the world's best back-three players, and won the 2015 Champions Cup Player of the Year Award. However, as Abendanon was stationed overseas, he ruled himself out of contention for the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups.

4. Aphiwe Dyantyi

South African winger Aphiwe Dyantyi is set to make his return to rugby for the 2023/24 season, as he has agreed a recent deal with the Cell C Sharks in the United Rugby Championship. Dyantyi has not been seen on a rugby pitch since the 2019 Super Rugby season, as he received a four year ban after testing positive for illegal substances just two months before the 2019 Rugby World Cup began.

Dyantyi tested positive for metandienone, methyltestosterone and LDG-4033, all of which are substances on WADA's banned list. Considered to rival legendary winger Bryan Habana for the title of 'fastest ever Springbok', Dyantyi was hitting top gear ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, yet his failed drugs test ruled him out of the trip to Japan. Dyantyi would have been a phenomenal addition to Rassie Erasamus' side who went on to become World Champions that year.

Dyantyi's break-out came in 2018, as he lit up Super Rugby with the Emirates Lions, before storming onto the international stage with five tries in six Rugby Championship games. The 28-year-old's 'all rugby' ban expires next month, however Jacques Nienaber has not considered Dyantyi in any preparations ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Despite making his return ahead of the competition, Dyantyi's name has been left off the list for the 'Bok's wider training group. Dyantyi is undoubtedly a thrilling on-field talent, but his name certainly carries an unwanted asterisk. When Dyantyi makes his return in the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship, it will be interesting to see if he still performs up to his last-remembered standards, or if the extended time-off has hindered his impact on the pitch.

Despite being one of the most exciting and highlight-reel providing ball carriers, Rene Ranger never established himself as a mainstay amongst the All Blacks. Making his debut for New Zealand in 2010, the powerhouse centre was unable to push beyond the substitutes bench, as the legendary Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith partnership ran the All Blacks midfield.

The Blues star was undoubtedly 'born in the wrong generation'. Had Ranger come into his prime just a few years later, the opportunities would have been there for him following the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Nonu and Smith both called time on their international careers, after the All Blacks became the first team ever to successfully retain the Rugby World Cup. Yet Ranger's All Blacks tenancy ran from 2010 to 2013, which was firmly during the prime Nonu-Conrad years.

Ranger achieved six New Zealand test match caps, after making his debut in the 2010 Tri Nations Championship. Unignorable performances for Northland and the Blues put Ranger in this position, yet he was unable to reach the expected heights amongst Hansen's squad. Come the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Nonu and Smith were joined by Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui as the selected centres, which saw Ranger miss out, as the centre began to survey his options overseas.

After two more Super Rugby seasons and sporadic All Blacks call-ups, Ranger commenced his new goals and agreed a move to Montpellier in 2013. This would then see Ranger disqualified from representing the All Blacks, due to his commitments in France.

Steve Hansen is recalled to have spoken about selecting Ranger for the 2013 Rugby Championship, had the centre not moved abroad. Hindsight was once again a wonderful thing, with All Blacks fans left thinking what could have been for Ranger in the famous black jersey.