10. ANTOINE DUPONT (FRANCE & TOULOUSE)

Injuries may have disrupted portions of Antoine Dupont’s campaign, but his standing as one of rugby’s greatest players remains untouched. The Toulouse scrum-half continues to influence matches in ways few others can, with his acceleration, vision and decision-making still setting the gold standard as France retained their Six Nations title.

Even when absent, his value becomes obvious. France and Toulouse simply operate differently when Dupont is on the field, yet a certain Bordeaux scrum half is steadily changing this narrative (more on him shortly). There may be flashier young talents emerging across the sport, but no player continues to command opposition attention quite like the French captain.

9. ARDIE SAVEA (NEW ZEALAND & KOBE STEELERS)

Ardie Savea somehow continues to get better. The former World Rugby Player of the Year remains the complete modern forward, capable of dominating collisions, winning turnovers and producing moments of skill more commonly associated with New Zealand’s flying outside backs.

Now back in Japan with the Kobe Steelers following his run as Moana Pasifika captain, Savea continues to perform at an extraordinary level for club and when called upon to vice-captain the All Blacks. Every match seems to feature another reminder of his unique talent, and few players in world rugby are currently carrying more responsibility on their shoulders.

8. PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT (SOUTH AFRICA & TOYOTA VERBLITZ)

Pieter-Steph du Toit remains the standard-bearer for elite forwards. The Springbok veteran continues to cover enormous ground around the field while delivering the physicality and defensive excellence that have defined his career.

A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, and Rugby World Cup winner, Du Toit’s influence often transcends statistics. He sets defensive standards, wins collisions and drags teammates into the fight. South Africa’s forward dominance remains built around collective effort, but few individuals embody that ethos better than their tireless blindside flanker.

7. MATTHIEU JALIBERT (FRANCE & BORDEAUX-BEGLES)

Few fly-halves play with the attacking freedom and confidence of Matthieu Jalibert. The Bordeaux-Bègles playmaker has become one of the most entertaining players in the sport, consistently unlocking defences through his footwork, vision and creativity, pivotal to their Champions Cup title retention.

With Bordeaux establishing themselves among Europe’s elite, Jalibert has flourished as the side’s chief orchestrator. His ability to create opportunities from seemingly impossible situations makes him a nightmare for defenders and a genuine contender to be France’s long-term answer at fly-half, much to the churgrin of one Romain Ntamack.

6. NTUTHUKO MCHUNU (SOUTH AFRICA & STORMERS)

The rise of Ntuthuko Mchunu has been one of South African rugby’s best stories this season. After leaving the Sharks, the loose-head prop has flourished in a new environment and established himself as one of the premier front-row forwards in the URC.

His scrummaging has always been highly regarded, but Mchunu’s impact around the field has reached a new level. Dynamic in open play and increasingly influential at set-piece time, he was rewarded with selection in the URC Elite XV and now looks poised to become a major figure for the Springboks moving forward.

5. STUART MCCLOSKEY (IRELAND & ULSTER)

For years Stuart McCloskey was one of rugby’s most underrated players. Now, the Ulster centre is finally receiving the recognition his performances deserve, with game-breaking efforts throughout the 2026 Six Nations. His ability to consistently dent gain-lines, create opportunities for teammates and dominate defensively has made him the standout midfielder in the URC this season.

While others may attract more headlines, McCloskey’s consistency has been exceptional. He remains the focal point of Ulster’s attack and continues to make a compelling case for a more prominent role within Ireland’s international setup. Whilst it was a shame for Ulster to squander the Challenge Cup and miss out on the top eight, McCloskey looks ready to go again in Irish green this Summer.

4. TOMMASO MENONCELLO (ITALY & BENETTON)

Tommaso Menoncello is rapidly becoming the face of Italian rugby. The Benetton centre has combined immense physicality with superb technical skill to establish himself among the best young backs in the world, at the heart of the greatest iteration of the Azzurri.

Still only in his early twenties, Menoncello already looks like a seasoned international. His performances throughout the history making Six Nations, including the first-ever win over England, and Benetton’s gutsy underdog fight in the URC have demonstrated a player capable of competing with the very best midfielders on the planet. His ceiling remains frighteningly high, with a big move expected this Summer.

3. LOUIS BIELLE-BIARREY (FRANCE & BORDEAUX-BEGLES)

Louis Bielle-Biarrey is doing things that simply should not be possible at his age. The Bordeaux and France wing continues to terrorise defences with blistering pace, exceptional footwork and a finishing instinct that rivals the greatest wings in the game. Bielle-Biarrey continues to break try-scoring records, as he eclipsed his own accolade to bag nine scores in the 2026 Six Nations – the most ever by one player.

Already among the most prolific try-scorers in international rugby, Bielle-Biarrey has become one of the first names on the French teamsheet. Every time he touches the ball, something feels likely to happen — a trait shared only by the sport’s true superstars. The red scrum-capped sensation is now a back-to-back Six Nations and Champions Cup winner, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup eyed up for a first ever French title.

2. SACHA FEINBERG-MNGOMEZULU (SOUTH AFRICA & STORMERS)

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has emerged as one of rugby’s most exciting talents and is rapidly becoming the heir apparent to South Africa’s number ten jersey. Despite suffering an injury during the Stormers’ URC quarter-final victory over Cardiff, his performances throughout the campaign have been nothing short of sensational, with the Springboks wishing for a speedy recovery to their new talisman.

The fly-half has combined outrageous attacking instincts with remarkable composure, while his record-breaking exploits for the Springboks have accelerated his rise into the sport’s elite. Already a World Rugby Dream Team selection, Feinberg-Mngomezulu looks destined to dominate the international game for years to come, as he already holds the record for the most points scored by a single Springbok in one test – we won’t forget his 37-point masterclass against Argentina in a hurry.

1. MAXIME LUCU (FRANCE & BORDEAUX-BEGLES)

At the top of the list is a player who rarely receives the same level of acclaim as some of rugby’s household names, yet few have been more influential over the past year than Maxime Lucu. The Bordeaux-Bègles scrum-half has quietly developed into one of the most complete number nines in world rugby, and reached his own personal Everest to guide Bordeaux to back-to-back Champions Cup titles.

His game management, kicking accuracy and tactical intelligence have been central to Bordeaux’s rise, with Antoine Dupont’s nine jersey well up for grabs for the Nations Championship. While others produce the highlights, Lucu controls the rhythm. In a season where Bordeaux have challenged for the biggest prizes in the game, no player has been more consistently outstanding than Maxime Lucu.

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