Rugby’s forwards are the game’s heartbeat — the workers, the enforcers, the tone-setters. They carry, tackle, clear, and scrap for every inch.
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From hookers who play like backs to locks who run like flankers, here are 20 of the best in the world right now.
20 Peato Mauvaka – France
Few hookers play with as much freedom as Peato Mauvaka. The Frenchman is dynamic in the loose, confident with ball in hand, and ruthless in contact. Whether he’s crashing through defenders or peeling off the back of a maul, Mauvaka brings power and polish in equal measure.
19 Jac Morgan – Wales
If you ever need proof of heart over size, watch Jac Morgan. The Welsh co-captain throws himself into everything — tackles, rucks, and every inch of the breakdown. His work at the ruck is world-class, and his turnover that led to the Lions’ series-winning try in 2025 summed him up perfectly: fearless and unrelenting.
18 Wallace Sititi – New Zealand
At just 23, Wallace Sititi already looks like the future of the All Blacks. His 2024 breakout season earned him both World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player and All Blacks Player of the Year awards. Sititi offers versatility across the back row, combining raw power with surprising pace. He doesn’t just play the game — he changes its tempo.
17 Rob Valetini – Australia
When Rob Valetini plays, Australia feels tougher. The two-time John Eales Medal winner brings physicality and leadership in equal measure. Injuries have slowed him at times, but on his day, Valetini is the prototype modern back-rower — explosive in attack, crushing in defence, and steady when it matters most.
16 Josh van der Flier – Ireland
There’s a quiet certainty about Josh van der Flier. He’s not the loudest or flashiest, but few are more reliable. The former European Player of the Year is tireless in defence and precise at the breakdown. The red scrum cap has become a symbol of consistency — a player you trust to get it right every single time.
15 Tom Curry – England
No one doubts Tom Curry’s commitment. Every collision feels personal; every run, a test of will. The England flanker was instrumental in the 2025 Lions series, scoring in back-to-back Tests and driving his side to victory. Intelligent yet ruthless, Curry bridges the gap between brains and brawn.
14 Caelan Doris – Ireland
Ireland’s leader Caelan Doris has redefined what balance looks like at number eight. He’s a destructive carrier, but it’s his control and calmness that stand out. Whether captaining Leinster or anchoring Ireland’s pack, Doris dictates tempo like a playmaker in the forwards.
13 Tom Willis – England
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Tom Willis’s journey has been one of persistence. From his early days at Wasps to a stint in France with Bordeaux and back to Saracens, he’s built a reputation as a dependable, hard-edged back-rower. His England debut in 2023 was well earned, and his work rate and physical edge hinted at more to come, until he announced his return to Bordeaux a couple of weeks ago.
12 Malcolm Marx – South Africa
Malcolm Marx plays every ruck like it’s personal. The Springbok hooker is as fierce in contact as anyone in the world. He wins turnovers, dominates scrums, and carries like a loose forward. Beyond his raw power, Marx is known for consistency and leadership — qualities that make him the heartbeat of any pack he’s in.
11 Jack Willis – England
In France, Jack Willis has turned potential into dominance. His performances for Toulouse — including two tries in the Top 14 final — earned him Player of the Season honours. His tackling and turnover numbers are off the charts, but what stands out most is his instinct. England’s loss might just be Toulouse’s gain.
10 Ox Nché – South Africa
Fans love Ox Nché for more than just his scrummaging. The Springbok loosehead has evolved into a complete front-rower — explosive in the set-piece and dangerous in open play. Since lifting the 2023 World Cup, he’s become a cornerstone of the Boks’ success, starting regularly and helping them win back-to-back Rugby Championships.
9 Will Skelton – Australia
When Will Skelton’s fit, he’s almost unstoppable. Towering and surprisingly nimble, the Australian lock has refined his game in France, adding craft to his raw power. His presence alone changes the shape of matches — a true giant in both size and influence.
8 Dan Sheehan – Ireland
Dan Sheehan blends athleticism with precision. The Leinster hooker burst into international rugby with a string of commanding performances and has barely slowed down since. His scoring threat from mauls and open play makes him one of Ireland’s most important forwards.
7 Tadhg Beirne – Ireland
There’s no one quite like Tadhg Beirne. He can play lock or flanker, jackal like a seven, and pass like a back. His adaptability has been crucial to Ireland’s rise. Beirne is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better.
6 Ruan Nortje – South Africa
Ruan Nortje might not always grab headlines, but teammates know his value. His Rugby Championship performances were defined by relentlessness — dominant in lineouts, busy at rucks, and steady under pressure. A true workhorse, he’s become essential to South Africa’s forward balance.
5 Maro Itoje – England
Still the standard-bearer of English rugby’s forward pack, Maro Itoje blends intelligence with aggression. His lineout work remains world-class, and his leadership continues to drive standards. When he’s on song, there are few forwards on the planet who can match him.
4 Siya Kolisi – South Africa
More than just a captain, Siya Kolisi represents what leadership looks like under pressure. Twice a World Cup winner, he inspires through effort, not speeches. On the field, his energy at the breakdown and his commitment in defence make him indispensable. Off it, he’s a symbol of unity and purpose.
3 Ardie Savea – New Zealand
Every time Ardie Savea plays, you can feel the emotion. Whether captaining Moana Pasifika or leading the All Blacks, he plays with an intensity that lifts everyone around him. His stats are absurd — over 100 tackles and 15 turnovers last season — but it’s his passion and connection with teammates that make him special.
2 Eben Etzebeth – South Africa
Eben Etzebeth is the enforcer every team wishes they had. He dominates lineouts, smashes tackles, and imposes himself on every contest. The Springbok lock has matured into a leader as well as a destroyer, and even after more than a decade at the top, he remains unmatched for sheer presence.
1 Pieter-Steph du Toit – South Africa
At the summit stands Pieter-Steph du Toit. Twice named World Rugby Player of the Year, the Springbok flanker is relentless. His tackle count is outrageous, his engine unmatched. Du Toit doesn’t just play through fatigue — he thrives in it. The ultimate modern forward.
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