15 Jasper Wiese
Watching Jasper Wiese carry into contact is like witnessing controlled demolition. The Leicester Tigers number eight thrives on confrontation, winning metres no one else can. His physicality borders on feral — all shoulders, grit, and forward momentum — yet his discipline and intelligence have grown massively in recent years. Wiese doesn’t just smash; he outworks everyone.
14 Henry Pollock
At 20, Henry Pollock is rugby’s next great force. The Northampton Saints flanker seems to have skipped the learning curve entirely, producing performances seasoned pros would envy. His Champions Cup heroics — try-scoring, fearless defending, and moments of pure instinct — have made him a fan favourite.
Pollock plays with the swagger of someone who knows he belongs, yet his humility shines through. Whether earning Lions selection or handling post-match scuffles with maturity beyond his years, he’s a player who takes everything in stride.
13 Grégory Alldritt
When France need calm amidst chaos, they turn to Grégory Alldritt. La Rochelle’s captain combines brute power with remarkable finesse — a carrier who hits like a hammer but passes like a fly-half. As France’s skipper during the 2024 Six Nations, his leadership drew comparisons to greats like Thierry Dusautoir. Alldritt’s balance, footwork, and offload game make him the heartbeat of every French surge forward.
12 Harry Wilson
Harry Wilson has become the beating heart of the Wallabies’ resurgence. The 25-year-old Queenslander led Australia through their 2025 Lions series with fierce passion, then delivered one of the greatest individual comebacks in Ellis Park history — scoring twice as captain to overturn a 22-point deficit against South Africa.
Wilson is tough, tactically sharp, and leads by example rather than volume. His ball-carrying is relentless, his defensive work unglamorous yet vital.
11 Jac Morgan
If you ever want a lesson in heart, watch Jac Morgan play. The Welsh co-captain embodies everything good about his nation’s rugby — fearless tackling, selfless graft, and an ability to rise in big moments.
His breakdown work is world-class, and during the 2025 Lions tour, his clear-out led directly to the series-winning try. Morgan doesn’t just stop attacks; he ends them.
10 Jack Conan
Few number eights mix brute force and grace like Jack Conan. The Leinster man’s journey has been one of patience and persistence, blossoming into a complete player capable of dominating the tight and loose.
His performances for the Lions, starting all three tests in 2021, showed his class on the biggest stage. Conan’s improved offloading and support play have made him a key cog in Ireland’s attacking shape.
9 Josh van der Flier
There’s a sense of inevitability about Josh van der Flier’s excellence. The red scrum cap, the tireless motor, the immaculate discipline — he’s the embodiment of professionalism.
A former European Player of the Year, van der Flier rarely puts a foot wrong, leading through action rather than noise. His work rate defies belief, and his defensive reads border on clairvoyant.
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