5 Cam Roigard – Climbs two places
Both the All Blacks and Hurricanes have enjoyed remarkable periods of success, with New Zealand winning all three Nations Championship matches and the Hurricanes lifting the Super Rugby title. Cam Roigard has played a major role in both achievements.
The scrum-half combines explosive running with physicality and an impressive eye for the try line. At just 25, he still has plenty of time to develop further and is rapidly establishing himself as one of the world’s leading players in his position.
His form could prove crucial for the All Blacks against the Springboks. New Zealand’s performances when Roigard has been unavailable have only underlined how important he has become to the team.
4 Maxime Lucu – Holds onto fourth place
Bordeaux Bègles’ Champions Cup triumph has further strengthened Maxime Lucu’s credentials as one of the world’s leading scrum-halves.
A natural leader, Lucu has developed an excellent partnership with Matthieu Jalibert, combining tactical intelligence with accurate kicking and a relentless defensive work rate.
He was named Player of the Match in the Champions Cup final against Leinster after producing a commanding performance to help Bordeaux Bègles retain their European crown.
Lucu has also impressed for France throughout the summer, playing an important role in two of their three Nations Championship victories and proving that Les Bleus can still thrive without Antoine Dupont.
3 Malcolm Marx – Retains third place
Malcolm Marx continues to set the standard for modern hookers.
Powerful in contact, relentless around the pitch and highly effective at the breakdown, the Springboks star possesses almost every quality required of a world-class forward.
His World Rugby Player of the Year award further cemented his status among the game’s elite. Marx became just the second hooker after Keith Wood to win the men’s 15s award and the first since 2001.
2 Louis Bielle-Biarrey – Drops one place
It is difficult to find much more to say about Louis Bielle-Biarrey. At just 23, he already looks like one of the brightest young talents in world rugby.
The French winger scored 34 tries during the season, including two in the Champions Cup final and four in the Six Nations finale, further enhancing his reputation as one of the most dangerous attacking players in the sport.
A back-to-back Six Nations Player of the Championship winner, Bielle-Biarrey already possesses many of the qualities required to become an all-time great.
However, his absence from the Nations Championship has allowed one player to move above him in this latest ranking.
1 Finn Russell – Climbs into top spot
Few fly-halves in world rugby can combine creativity and control as effectively as Finn Russell. Once viewed largely as an unpredictable maverick, the Scotland and Bath star has developed into a composed and influential playmaker who can dictate matches with both flair and authority.
During the summer, Russell became the Lions’ primary attacking organiser, confidently directing some of their most dangerous passages of play with precision and composure.
Whether playing for Bath or Scotland, he possesses the ability to completely change a match with one decision, something he demonstrated once again against South Africa.
Fitness problems disrupted his Nations Championship campaign, but Russell’s performances have continued to underline his quality.
Right now, he has done enough to claim the number one spot and be recognised as the best player in the world.
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