Top 100 Men's Rugby Players 2025

[{"id":"1397","name":"Julien Marchand","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/julien-marchand\/","country":"France","team":"74","copy1":"Toulouse knew they had a special player when they nominated Marchand as one of their captains in 2018 at the age of 23. He made his Test debut in November that year and has now amassed 48 caps. It would be more but for injury and his competition for the No.2 jersey with Toulouse team-mate Peato Mauvaka. Though he lacks his rival\u2019s speed around the park, Marchand is reliable in the set-piece and a nuisance at the breakdown with his knack of securing vital turnovers. A leader who captained Toulouse to two of their last four\u00a0Top 14 final victories, in 2021 and 2025, Marchand started all three of France\u2019s November Tests and was one of Les Bleus\u2019 most consistent performers. - GM","copy2":"Marchand found a team-mate from 61 of his 62 lineout throws for France in 2025; his 98.4% success rate was the best of any Tier One hooker (min. 20 throws).\u2028","copy3":"\u201cHe doesn't hesitate to give his all, to devote himself entirely to the team. We're lucky to have players like him.\u201d -\u00a0William Servat, France assistant coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1397.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":81,"new":false,"move":-2,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"5235","name":"Fletcher Newell","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/fletcher-newell\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","copy1":"Ongoing injury issues for Tyrel Lomax throughout the season meant Newell became a permanent fixture for the All Blacks in 2025, featuring in all 13 matches - with nine of those appearances coming in the No.3 jersey. Part of the \u2018new breed\u2019 of props that New Zealand have developed over the past five years: a balanced ball carrier, a significant force at the breakdown and not averse to popping up in the backfield as a link player. Still just 25, Newell is still a relative baby for a tighthead and there were times where his inexperience saw him undone at the scrum by more savvy operators. A breakthrough year however, and big things are expected from Newell in 2026. - TV","copy2":"Newell, who won New Zealand Rugby\u2019s Age-Grade Player of the Year in 2019 - the only prop to ever receive the award \u2013 recently set a new Crusaders\u2019 squat record with a lift of over 300kg, smashing the previous best by around 30kg.","copy3":"\u201cHe's a man that doesn't say much\u2026but when he does, he does so with authority.\u201d Codie Taylor, All Blacks hooker","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5235.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":82,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"5561","name":"Davit Niniashvili","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/davit-niniashvili\/","country":"Georgia","team":"14","copy1":"2025 has been a year of upheaval for the jet-heeled Georgian. He swapped the gastronomic delights of Lyon to dine at the top table of European rugby with Ronan O\u2019Gara\u2019s La Rochelle - a sure sign that his star is in the ascendency. Able to switch from full-back to wing with ease, the Tbilisi-born flyer is the kind of rapier tool Georgia used to struggle to produce but his footwork, derring-do to attack from deep and balletic instincts under the high-ball mark him out as one of the premier back-three talents in world rugby. Still just 23, Niniashvili told RugbyPass that his goal was to spearhead Los Lelos\u2019 path to the World Cup quarter-finals in Australia, and few would bet against him. - OJ","copy2":"Niniashvili assisted 10 tries in the Rugby Europe Championship this year, twice as many as any other player, also ranking top for line-break assists (11) and defenders beaten (30).","copy3":"\u201cI really enjoy Nini's style of rugby. He's young, ambitious and carefree when it comes to rugby. A kid who is super eager to learn and always putting in 100%. He has a massive, massive future in the Top 14.\u201d Lima Sopoaga, former All Black.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5561.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":83,"new":false,"move":1,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/georgia\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Georgia.png.webp","alt":"Georgia"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/la-rochelle\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/206.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Stade Rochelais"}]},{"id":"944","name":"Alex Mitchell","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/alex-mitchell\/","country":"England","team":"60","copy1":"When England lost 228 caps of experience with the retirements of Danny Care and Ben Youngs, the fall was softer due to the emergence of Mitchell. The Northampton Saint has been the metronome around which Steve Borthwick\u2019s men revolve. His speed of thought and deed \u2013 always looking to snipe around the fringes or fire a pass off both sides to a willing attacker \u2013 maintain the tempo which has propelled England to No. 3 in the world rankings. A gifted enough footballer to have trials with both Manchester City and United, the Lancastrian is part of golden generation of Saints. Rewarded with a place on the Lions tour, he featured in more games than any other player. - OJ","copy2":"Mitchell was named in the match-day 23 for all 10 matches of the British & Irish Lions\u2019 tour of Australia. He started two, against Argentina and NSW Waratahs, came off the bench in six \u2013 including the first and third Tests \u2013 and was an unused replacement in the other two.","copy3":"\u201cAn amazing attacking threat. I compare him to like a little rat. He's always sniffing around looking for opportunities. He's a very instinctive player and he could spark something for England.\u201d Dylan Hartley, former England captain","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/944.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"9","positionAlt":"Scrum Half","number":84,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/northampton\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/109.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Northampton"}]},{"id":"541","name":"Pablo Matera","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/pablo-matera\/","country":"Argentina","team":"304","copy1":"Being named MVP when Argentina finally beat the All Blacks at home speaks volumes for veteran Matera and his continued commitment to Los Pumas. An international since 2012 and former captain, he leads from the front in perfect unison with current captain Juli\u00e1n Montoya. Wisely he has chosen to play in Japan, where the attrition rate he puts his body through in every game is lower. This has given him a new lease of life and playing as a starter, or a finisher, he is one of those players that, ball-in-hand, lifts the crowd. Although he hasn\u2019t said so specifically, he will certainly continue to fight in the hope of playing at RWC27, which would be his fourth tournament. FD","copy2":"Of the 29 forwards to hit 15+ defensive rucks in The Rugby Championship this year, Matera boasted the best ruck effectiveness rate (24%).","copy3":"\u201cPablo is one of the premier loose forwards in world rugby. He's got a great mindset to training. An awesome pro.\u201d Scott Robertson, All Blacks head coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/541.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"6","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":85,"new":false,"move":9,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/mie-honda-heat\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/10005202.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Mie Honda Heat"}]},{"id":"1637","name":"Romain Ntamack","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/romain-ntamack\/","country":"France","team":"74","copy1":"France\u2019s gifted fly-half is working his way back towards top form after a difficult couple of years. Ntamack struggled through a persistent knee injury last season, playing through the pain to help Toulouse win their third consecutive Top 14 title. He underwent some clean-up surgery on the knee in the summer of 2025 and started France\u2019s three autumn internationals. Ntamack\u2019s most accomplished performance was in the 48-33 defeat of Australia, when his precision passing was key to three of Les Bleus\u2019 tries. Still only 26, Ntamack\u2019s pace, vision and defence will be crucial for France in RWC 2027. - GM","copy2":"Ntamack has 40 caps and he stays fit and in form in 2026, he will overtake his father Emile\u2019s tally of 46 Test appearances.","copy3":"\u201cRomain sacrifices himself for the squad, he plays for the team.\u201d\u00a0- Fabien Galthi\u00e9, France coach, November 2025","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1637.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"10","positionAlt":"Fly Half","number":86,"new":false,"move":-37,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"391","name":"Tomos Williams","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tomos-williams\/","country":"Wales","team":"55","copy1":"So long a deputy to Rhys Webb and Gareth Davies, in the last 18 months Williams has made good on his natural talent to become a talisman for Gloucester and Wales. Won the Premiership Player of the Season award for a highlights reel of jaw-dropping flicks, feints and flabbergasting finishing, with a \u2018no look\u2019 basketball-style pass to set up Seb Atkinson against Bristol going viral. His form saw him selected for the Lions tour as one of only two Welshmen and despite starting strongly, a hamstring injury stopped him from challenging for a Test spot. His game management, leadership and raw ability have seen the likes of Saracens circling for his signature next season. - OJ","copy2":"Williams assisted 25% of Wales' tries this year (7\/28); no other Tier One player assisted as high a proportion of their team\u2019s tries in 2025.","copy3":"\u201cI like Tomos because he has a bit of dog about him. On the field he can be a nasty piece of work which you need from your nine.\u201d - Jonathan Davies, former Wales fly-half","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/391.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"9","positionAlt":"Scrum Half","number":87,"new":false,"move":12,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/wales\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Wales.png.webp","alt":"Wales"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/gloucester\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/104.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Gloucester"}]},{"id":"323","name":"Wilco Louw","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/wilco-louw\/","country":"South Africa","team":"31","copy1":"Even by South African rugby standards, Louw is a bear of a man at 1.85m (6ft 1in) and 144kg (22st 9lb). With double World Cup winners Frans Malherbe and Vincent Koch missing most of the international season through injuries, the Bulls tighthead prop received more opportunities in the Springboks jersey and was one of the star performers for a dominant pack that scrummed allcomers into submission. Criticised in the early days of his career for a perceived lack of mobility, the 31-year-old made some telling contributions around the park for the Boks this season and crossed the tryline twice on the recent tour of Europe. - JC","copy2":"South Africa won a penalty at 19 scrums this year when Louw was in the front row - no Tier One prop was involved in as many penalty-winning scrums. Louw also featured in more Tests for the Boks than any other player in 2025, starting four and playing a further nine off the bench as an integral member of the \u2018Bomb Squad\u2019.","copy3":" \u201cGiven his size, some may write him off as slow and cumbersome, but he\u2019s a much better athlete than some give him credit for. Granted, he doesn\u2019t talk much but when he does, you know it comes from the heart and he absolutely loves his rugby.\u201d \u2013 Jake White, former Bulls coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/323.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":88,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/bulls\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/403.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Bulls"}]},{"id":"7496","name":"Jiuta Wainiqolo","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/jiuta-wainiqolo\/","country":"Fiji","team":"13","copy1":"The box-office Fijian embarks on slashing runs like an Alpine skier slaloming down a slope. Danced and swerved his way to 17 tries in the calendar year, including scores against Scotland \u2013 in a brilliant Fiji victory - and France, in a creditable defeat last month. Wainiqolo, 26, wept when he played his last Toulon game at Stade Mayol this summer. As a non-JIFF player, he was denied the starting minutes his talent merits, so left for Lyon a year before the end of his contract and yet has continued his blistering form. He places among the Top 14\u2019s best for running metres, tackle breaks and offloads, and his seven tries from as many league matches put him second in the scoring charts. - JL","copy2":"As of 5 December, Wainiqolo averages a try every 114 minutes of rugby in 2025.","copy3":"\u201cHe's an X-factor player. When he's in that kind of form, he's unstoppable.\u201d Pierre Mignoni, Toulon coach after Wainiqolo scored a stunning double against Bordeaux Begles.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/7496.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"11","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":89,"new":false,"move":1,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/fiji\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Fiji.png.webp","alt":"Fiji"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/lyon\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/207.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Lyon"}]},{"id":"1890","name":"Zander Fagerson","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/zander-fagerson\/","country":"Scotland","team":"66","copy1":"Scotland\u2019s most important forward. Perhaps their most important player full stop. The astonishing industry, dynamism and excellence of the Glasgow Warrior was sorely missed by Scotland during their headline November Tests. Persistent calf and knee problems denied him a second Lions tour and kept him out for seven months. Scotland lost not only his destructive scrummaging, but his relentlessness around the paddock too. On his comeback against Tonga, Fagerson, 29, made 11 carries for 56m and seven tackles in just 47 minutes. Routinely goes the distance for club and country, certainly more often than any other Tier One prop, posting eye-watering numbers in open play. - JL","copy2":"Fagerson made a combined 306 carries, tackles and ruck hits in 2025 (68 carries, 50 tackles, 188 rucks) - an average of 61 per 80 minutes, the most of any prop and the second most of any Tier One player overall, behind Jac Morgan (63).","copy3":"\u201cLook, he's a bit of a physical freak in terms of his engine. Guys his size don't usually have the ability to get up off the deck and scrum and maul and carry the way he does. He gets through a mountain of work. He really sets the bar.\u201d Matt Fagerson, younger brother and fellow Scotland international.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1890.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":90,"new":false,"move":-15,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/scotland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Scotland.png.webp","alt":"Scotland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/glasgow\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/306.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Glasgow"}]},{"id":"8658","name":"Max Jorgensen","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/max-jorgensen\/","country":"Australia","team":"36","copy1":"Max Jorgensen announced himself as an international star in November 2024, scoring with a swan dive in the 83rd minute to sink England at Twickenham\u2019s Allianz Stadium. \u2018Jorgo\u2019 has gone from a young, impactful bench player to bona fide superstar in the Wallabies\u2019 starting side. The 22-year-old scored two tries against the Lions earlier this year and was influential in Australia\u2019s comeback win over South Africa in Johannesburg. Jorgensen has played on the wing and at full-back for Joe Schmidt\u2019s side and he can expect to play a key role in the team\u2019s run to a home Rugby World Cup in 2027. FM","copy2":"Jorgensen made the most line-breaks (7) of any player against the British & Irish Lions in a single tour since Opta started collecting that data.","copy3":"\u201cHe\u2019s just naturally gifted with his skillset, and then he\u2019s blessed with incredible athleticism and speed. He\u2019s starting to find his feet now,\u201d NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/8658.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":91,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/australia\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Australia.png.webp","alt":"Australia"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/waratahs\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/415.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927735","alt":"Waratahs"}]},{"id":"810","name":"Luke Cowan-Dickie","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/luke-cowan-dickie\/","country":"England","team":"61","copy1":"Cowan-Dickie\u2019s ascent back to the top of the international game in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable. Unable to lift his right arm after surgery left him with nerve damage, he was unsure he\u2019d ever regain his strength to play professional, let alone Test rugby. The former Exeter Chiefs hooker saw a move to Montpellier fall through over fitness concerns and was handed a career lifeline by Alex Sanderson at Sale Sharks. A stellar season saw him leapfrog Theo Dan and Jamie George into the England No.2 shirt and selected for the Lions. Last month he celebrated a 50th cap against Australia. Formerly No.1 in the world at Call of Duty, the teak-tough Cornishman has taken to golf to sate his addictive personality. - OJ","copy2":"Cowan-Dickie has scored 14 tries in 31 matches for Sale Sharks in Prem Rugby since his debut in November 2023 - an average of 0.45 tries per game, the best rate of any hooker in the league. He has scored 66 tries overall in his professional career.","copy3":"\u201cHis boundless energy is matched only by his frenzied commitment to his craft and his mates. Mark my words, the best of Luke Cowan-Dickie is yet to come.\u201d - Alex Sanderson, Sale Sharks Director of Rugby","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/810.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":92,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/sale\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/110.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Sale"}]},{"id":"3472","name":"Leicester Fainga'anuku","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/leicester-faingaanuku\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","copy1":"There is almost nothing conventional about the way Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku\u2019s career is playing out, or indeed about how things transpired for him in 2025. Fainga\u2019anuku was persuaded to return to New Zealand this year, having left for Toulon in 2023. At the core of his game is his raw power \u2013 he came home from France at 112kg (17st 9lb) \u2013 and revealed that he would often play the last quarter of Top 14 games at openside flanker. What position he ends up playing for the All Blacks seems a secondary consideration as Robertson has said a few times that with Fainga\u2019anuku, he just wants him on the field and with the ball in his hands. - GP","copy2":"Fainga'anuku beat 17 defenders from his 36 carries for New Zealand in 2025, beating a defender every 2.1 carries on average - the best rate of any All Black. He also scored tries in four separate competitions: the Top 14, the Champions Cup, the NPC and the Quilter Autumn Nations Series for the All Blacks.","copy3":"\u201cI know Scott Robertson. He had already warned me, when he signed here, that he was young and he would like to get him back. Maybe in the future, I will be able to get him back too.\u201d - Pierre Mignoni, Toulon coach ","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3472.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"13","positionAlt":"Centre","number":93,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"1347","name":"Charles Ollivon","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/charles-ollivon\/","country":"France","team":"10","copy1":"It\u2019s been a tough year for the 32-year-old Ollivon. A week into 2025, the Toulon loose forward tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee in a Top 14 match, an injury that kept him out of action until September. Such is his importance to France as a player and leader, he was recalled to the squad for the November international against Fiji. At 6ft 6ins, he started in the second row and was outstanding; perhaps a hint of things to come given the competition for places in the back row and the shortage of quality locks in France. - GM","copy2":"Ollivon scored his 17th international try in his comeback Test against Fiji, extending his record as France's leading forward try-scorer.","copy3":"\u201cI've rarely seen a player who is so strong and athletically complete\u2026 we missed him enormously last season during the final phase.\u201d - Pierre Mignoni, Toulon coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1347.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"8","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":94,"new":false,"move":-51,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulon\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/213.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulon"}]},{"id":"5241","name":"Tamaiti Williams","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tamaiti-williams\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","copy1":"The 25-year-old Williams made his Test debut in 2023, and at 145kg (almost 23st), he became the heaviest All Black in history. His size is awe-inspiring, but it is the way he uses it to so effectively that matters. There was no better demonstration of his devastating power than the try he scored in Cardiff, where he drove through three Welsh defenders from five metres out. Williams has become a world class scrummaging loose-head with the all-round dynamism and athleticism to carry strongly, make big tackles and win turnovers, which is why New Zealand Rugby have locked him into a four-year contract extension. - GP","copy2":"Williams has scored five tries for New Zealand since making his debut in 2023, including two in this year\u2019s Quilter Nations Series, more than any other Tier One prop in that time.","copy3":"\u201cWe know he\u2019s a world-class player, without doubt. He\u2019s proven that time and again. He\u2019s still going through his growth and evolution as a young man in the front row, and he\u2019ll get better. By the end of his career, he will have stamped his mark deeply on the game, there\u2019s no doubt.\u201d- Crusaders coach Rob Penney ","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5241.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":95,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"3772","name":"Mack Hansen","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/mackenzie-hansen\/","country":"Ireland","team":"83","copy1":"His 27-minute hat-trick against Australia shows why Andy Farrell will always do his damnedest to crowbar Hansen into starting XVs. The Connacht winger thanked Farrell by getting a tattoo of his coach, on his calf, after winning the 2023 Grand Slam. Reads the game so well that he can turn an innocuous kick or bouncing ball into a try. Made the Lions squad but a foot injury cost him a place in the Test series against the Aussies. Surety under the high ball \u2013 showcased as early as his second Ireland appearance, against France, in 2022 \u2013 and previous fly-half experience in Australia helps with his tactical kicking. Proved he was more than capable as a Test full-back in November. - PM","copy2":"Hansen\u2019s hat-trick against the Wallabies, in his first start for Ireland in the No.15 jersey, brought his tally to 15 tries in 30 Tests, averaging a try every other game. ","copy3":"\u201cMack was playing some of the best rugby of his life on that Lions tour. He was the form back-three player and a man on a mission to play against his home nation. For that to be taken away from him (by injury) was cruel.\u201d \u2013 Hugo Keenan, Ireland and Lions full-back","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3772.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"11","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":96,"new":false,"move":1,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/ireland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Ireland.png.webp","alt":"Ireland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/connacht\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/304.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Connacht"}]},{"id":"2242","name":"Andre Esterhuizen","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/andre-esterhuizen\/","country":"South Africa","team":"17","copy1":"Esterhuizen once baulked at the idea of making a permanent switch to the back row, at the request of former Sharks coach Jake White. He forged a successful career at inside centre with Sharks and Harlequins, winning the Premiership in 2021. But for much of his Test career, Esterhuizen\u2019s path was blocked by first-choice Damian de Allende and other versatile players such as Damian Willemse. When Rassie Erasmus offered Esterhuizen the chance to alternate between centre and flank in a new hybrid role, he grabbed it with both hands. Made some powerful contributions from the side of the scrum on their recent tour before moving to centre and claiming Player of the Match against Wales. - JC","copy2":"Esterhuizen\u2019s featured in 11 of the Boks\u2019 15 games this season and was used as a specialist flank on six occasions. Overall, the hybrid player scored five Test tries.","copy3":"\u201cHaving Andre float between the forwards and backs is crucial for us going forward. I think his ability to scrum more, carry with the forwards, but then defend or attack with the backs is a massive advantage for us. He's a one-man wrecking machine.\u201d \u2013 Tony Brown, Springbok attack coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/2242.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"12","positionAlt":"Centre","number":97,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/sharks\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/412.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Sharks"}]},{"id":"6656","name":"Ange Capuozzo","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/ange-capuozzo\/","country":"Italy","team":"74","copy1":"Capuozzo is built like a whippet; slender and light and barely 82kg and yet his capacity to put stronger, heftier defenders on puppet strings is his enduring charm. At 26, he is one of Europe\u2019s premier back-three rapiers with his footballing acumen, raw pace and devastating footwork. A broken leg robbed Capuozzo of a part in the culmination of yet another Toulouse Top 14 title, but he\u2019s come back in typically impressive form this term. Five tries in five outings for his club, some jaw-dropping touches among them, plus a fabulous score against the world champion Springboks for Italy. Capuozzo is the golden boy of Italian rugby and one of many jewels glistening in the Toulousain crown. - JL","copy2":"Though he has only played 31 Tests, Capuzzo\u2019s 16 tries puts him in the top 10 Italian scorers of all time. He needs just 10 more to catch leader Marcelo Cuttitta, who took 12 years and 55 caps to set his benchmark.","copy3":"\u201cHe is so agile and quick off the mark. He has been great for us when he has space, breaking the line and beating that first tackle. It just shows you can be any size to play rugby.\" - Stephen Varney, Italy team-mate","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/6656.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":98,"new":false,"move":-5,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/italy\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Italy.png.webp","alt":"Italy"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"200","name":"Tadhg Furlong","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tadhg-furlong\/","country":"Ireland","team":"73","copy1":"Into his 10th season as Ireland\u2019s premier tighthead, Furlong turned 33 in November but is still one of the first names on Andy Farrell\u2019s team-sheet. Injury restricted Furlong to five starts, for province and country, last season but he returned to fitness and form with the British & Irish Lions. Started all three Tests and filled in at scrum-half and first receiver to keep attacks alive, notably for Sione Tuipulotu\u2019s try in the First Test. That Furlong smile, at the bottom of a pile of humanity and the ball grounded, was on show again as he crashed over against New Zealand at Soldier Field last month, to serve a reminder of his close-quarter carrying power. - PM","copy2":"Furlong started all three Tests for the Lions in Australia, making it nine in a row for the Wexford man after also starting all three in New Zealand (2017) and South Africa (2021). Only Welshman Graham Price, among props, has started more Tests for the Lions \u2013 12 in a row across the 1977, 1980 and 1983 tours.","copy3":"\u201cTadhg is brilliant, he is obviously a British & Irish Lion three times over, and a world-class international. He\u2019s of the highest calibre.\u201d \u2013 Ellis Genge, England and Lions prop","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/200.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":99,"new":false,"move":-19,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/ireland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Ireland.png.webp","alt":"Ireland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/leinster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/309.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Leinster"}]},{"id":"2006","name":"Duhan van der Merwe","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/duhan-van-der-merwe\/","country":"Scotland","team":"68","copy1":"Van der Merwe has endured a turbulent year, but his talent remains compelling. Chosen for a second straight Lions tour, but carrying an injury, he was rusty, failing to showcase his best form, despite finishing top try-scorer. Seized the outright Scotland try record \u2013 35 now in 52 caps \u2013 but suffered the ignominy of being dropped for the biggest match of the autumn against New Zealand. Questions remain about his middling form for Edinburgh versus his blockbuster feats in a Scotland shirt. Few wings possess his deadly combination of brawn and speed. Now 31, he has added IQ and softer handling skills to his raw athletic prowess and made an indelible mark on Scottish rugby. - JL","copy2":"Van der Merwe holds three of the top four totals for defenders beaten in a Six Nations campaign, including 28 this year (also 35 in 2023 and 31 in 2021).","copy3":"\u201cHe is a world-class talent who brings so much to the team. His ability to break tackles, score tries and create opportunities for others is invaluable.\u201d - Sean Everitt, Edinburgh head coach.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/2006.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"14","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":100,"new":false,"move":-35,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/scotland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Scotland.png.webp","alt":"Scotland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/edinburgh\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/305.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Edinburgh"}]}]