Eddie Jones was asked just last week to settle the ultimate \u201cwinner stays on\u201d debate: who is the greatest fly-half of all time. <\/p>\n
Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel\u00a0<\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n In a lineup of rugby legends, he initially stood by his former England captai<\/a>n, Owen Farrell, favouring him over Michael Lynagh, Johnny Sexton, Finn Russell, Richie Mo\u2019unga, Jonathan \u2018Jiffy\u2019 Davies, Beauden Barrett, and Jonny Wilkinson.<\/p>\n Farrell, known for his tactical kicking, leadership, and unflappable defense, was Jones\u2019 pick against an array of brilliance: Lynagh\u2019s vision and precision, Sexton\u2019s game management, Russell\u2019s flair, Mo\u2019unga\u2019s composure, Barrett\u2019s explosive pace, Davies\u2019 creativity, and Wilkinson\u2019s legendary drop goals and World Cup heroics.<\/p>\n But even Farrell, despite his resilience and leadership, eventually gave way. Dan Carter, the New Zealand legend whose all-around skills, accuracy, and calm under pressure have defined a generation, ultimately claimed the top spot in Jones\u2019 eyes. <\/p>\n In the end, Jones conceded what many fans have long suspected: Carter is, without question, the greatest number 10 to ever play the game<\/p>\n The 10 Best Fly-Halves in World Rugby Right Now (Ranked 10\u20131)<\/p>\n In 2025, the competition for the best fly-half in world rugby has never been fiercer. These playmakers combine\u00a0vision, precision, and leadership, shaping how modern rugby is played. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s our ranking of the\u00a010 best fly-halves in the world right now, based on current\u00a0form, impact, and all-around class.<\/p>\n Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n 10 Fin Smith (England)<\/p>\n He\u2019s still only 23, but Fin Smith already plays with the maturity of a seasoned veteran. Calm under pressure, sharp with the boot, and rarely flustered on big occasions, Smith has quickly become one of the brightest prospects in world rugby.<\/p>\n While he found himself behind the pecking order on the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, it was more about timing than talent. Others had their moment in the sun over the summer, notably George Ford in Argentina. There\u2019s still more consistency to find, but if his development continues on this path, it won\u2019t be long before he\u2019s climbing this list\u2014and starting regularly for England.<\/p>\n 9 Romain Ntamack (France)<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to ignore what Romain Ntamack has already achieved at just 26. A Top 14 winner, a European champion, and a Six Nations Grand Slam, he\u2019s been at the heart of a French rugby revival.<\/p>\n A devastating ACL injury ruled him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but Ntamack\u2019s class hasn\u2019t faded. The son of French rugby royalty, he combines composure and creativity in equal measure. His longstanding partnership with Antoine Dupont is one of the most formidable in world rugby, and his ability to manage pressure, make smart decisions, and bring others into the game keeps him among the elite. <\/p>\n 8 Marcus Smith (England)<\/p>\n No player splits opinion quite like Marcus Smith. His flair, vision, and explosive acceleration can be breathtaking\u2014but consistency remains the missing piece. When he\u2019s on form, he plays like a street footballer in boots, creating chaos and carving defences to bits.<\/p>\n Yet, there\u2019s a lingering feeling that England still don\u2019t know how best to use him. His versatility has kept him in squads, but he\u2019s not always trusted to steer the ship. Still, the mere fact that his selection sparks national debate says everything about his potential. If Smith ever marries that magic with steady control, he could become not just one of the best 10s in the world\u2014but the best.<\/p>\n 7 George Ford (England)<\/p>\n If you\u2019re picking a fly-half to win a knockout Test tomorrow, George Ford might be your man. Few players boast his game management, poise, and tactical brain. Teammates speak of his intelligence with awe, and while he might not dazzle like Marcus Smith, Ford rarely lets a game slip away.<\/p>\n Injuries have stalled parts of his career, and a Lions omission this summer might have dented his status\u2014but his performances for England in Argentina reminded everyone what he brings. At 32, Ford is in the latter stages of his prime, but his calm head and control are invaluable for any side with big ambitions.<\/p>\n 6 Handr\u00e9 Pollard (South Africa)<\/p>\n Two-time Rugby World Cup winner, leading points scorer in 2019, and South Africa\u2019s go-to man in the clutch\u2014Handr\u00e9 Pollard is a player built for big moments. Calm, clinical, and composed, he\u2019s arguably the most reliable goal-kicker in the world under pressure.<\/p>\n His rugby r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is staggering: Montpellier, Leicester, Japan\u2019s Top League, and now back home with the Bulls. Pollard\u2019s 77th-minute penalty against England in the 2023 semi-final summed him up perfectly\u2014ice in the veins. And when he scored all of South Africa\u2019s points in their narrow World Cup final win over New Zealand, his legacy was sealed. He\u2019s not the flashiest 10 on this list, but he\u2019s one of the most decisive.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n