Here we go! The voting for Planet Rugby\u2019s Readers\u2019 Team of the Year is officially open.<\/p>\n
As per usual, we have drawn up the shortlist for every position and allow you to make the final verdict.<\/p>\n
In case you missed it, we\u2019ve already opened the polls for the forwards,<\/a> and now it\u2019s time for the backs!<\/p>\n The World Rugby Dream Team selected by legends of the game only included the efforts of players at the international<\/a> level, but this is your Team of the Year, so you can decide whether to weigh in club form or not.<\/p>\n So without further ado, here are the nominees and polls.<\/p>\n Scrum-half<\/p>\n We start with the cheekiest fellas on the pitch, the ruck goblins AKA the scrum-halves.<\/p>\n Antoine Dupont usually dominates this vote, but unfortunately, the Planet Rugby writers decided it would be unfair to nominate the truly world-class number nine since he barely played this year due to injury.<\/p>\n In his absence, Cam Roigard secured a place in the aforementioned World Rugby Dream XV with the All Blacks scrum-half continuing to boss the number nine jersey under Scott Robertson.<\/p>\n Cobus Reinach is the other CR9 nominated by our writers, with the Springboks<\/a> veteran arguably in the form of his career in 2025.<\/p>\n Springboks dominate World Rugby\u2019s 2025 Dream Team while Ardie Savea is snubbed and four Lions feature<\/a><\/p>\n Not convinced by either? Then perhaps British and Irish Lions nines Jamison Gibson-Park and Alex Mitchell can get your vote, with the duo impressing for the tourists, their countries and clubs.<\/p>\n We had a cut of five, which left us with a straight shootout between Ben Spencer and Maxime Lucu. The latter got the nod after winning the Six Nations and Investec Champions Cup with France and Bordeaux, respectively, and that\u2019s not underselling Spencer\u2019s incredible year with Bath.<\/p>\n Fly-half<\/p>\n Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains unbeaten when starting a Test match for the Springboks and enjoyed a stunning 2025 in Green in Gold, beating the All Blacks, Argentina, Italy, France, Ireland, and Wales.<\/p>\n That earned him a place in the World Rugby Dream XV, but if you are looking for another fly-half to fill the number 10 jumper, we have nominated Romain Ntamack, George Ford, Tomas Albornoz and Finn Russell.<\/p>\n Have your say:<\/p>\n Wings<\/p>\n Instead of picking between left and right wingers, we give you the pick of the lot.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve nominated 10 speedsters in total and allowed you to select two from the long list.<\/p>\n Cheslin Kolbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both made World Rugby\u2019s Dream XV, with the latter nominated for the Player of the Year award too.<\/p>\n Six Springboks selected in Mike Tindall and Bismarck du Plessis\u2019s 2025 World XV<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ve also included Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Ethan Hooker, as well as British and Irish Lions Tommy Freeman and James Lowe.<\/p>\n Immanuel Feyi-Waboso endured an injury-hit year, but features among our nominees, as does Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen.<\/p>\n Canan Moodie jumped between wing and centre for the Springboks but vies for a spot in your Team of the Year, out wide as does Pumas star Mateo Carreras.<\/p>\n The shortlist wouldn\u2019t be complete without Frenchman Damian Penaud.<\/p>\n Centres<\/p>\n We haven\u2019t limited you to inside or outside centre either.<\/p>\n While the Wallabies were hit and miss in 2025, Len Ikitau was a consistent and frankly outstanding performer for Joe Schmidt\u2019s charges.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t agree with World Rugby\u2019s Dream XV, we\u2019ve got you covered with further options in the form of Springboks ace Damian de Allende, Scotland\u2019s Sione Tuipulotu, All Blacks star Jordie Barrett and Los Pumas rock Santiago Chocobares.<\/p>\n Huw Jones cracked the nod alongside Ikitau, but the other centres we\u2019ve shortlisted are Jesse Kriel, Joseph Suaalii, Garry Ringrose and Ollie Lawrence.<\/p>\n Full-back<\/p>\n Last but not least, it\u2019s the full-backs.<\/p>\n There was no shortage of options, but we managed to cut the list down to five superstars.<\/p>\n Firstly, France\u2019s mad man, Thomas Ramos, who has to be one of the most accurate placekickers in the game.<\/p>\n Damian Willemse was superb for the Springboks, as was Will Jordan for the All Blacks, while Santiago Carreras was elite off the bench for Argentina.<\/p>\n Finally, our shortlist is completed by the brilliant Toulouse and Italy outside back Ange Capuozzo.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to cast your vote for the forwards with the results to be published before the end of the year.<\/p>\n