Wallaroos hoping to mark Ashley Marsters’s milestone Test with a win over South Africa

Rounding out the top players are two more outstanding selections and stars that will likely be selected by a lot of fantasy players. Another pair of players that are unsurprisingly right up near the top of the most valuable list given how significantly they influence the clashes they feature in. A powerful duo assume the responsibility of being the top-ranked players in 2024 with Antoine Dupont unavailable. At times erratic but invariably brilliant, Penaud is already one of the greatest finishers of all time and is just three tries short of equalling the national record of 38 held by Serge Blanco.

The Top 10 rugby players in the world have just been named

Wing Duhan van der Merwe is lethal with ball in hand and some space. Arguably his best try scored was against England in the 2023 Six Nations, where he beat five defenders and ran 55m. He backed up his good performance against the old enemy in the 2024 Six Nations, scoring a hat-trick – with each try coming from some individual brilliance. However, New Zealand are the last team to beat the Red Roses, with a dramatic comeback win in the Rugby World Cup final in 2022. Morwenna Talling, who can also play at second row, keeps her place at blindside flanker with Maddie Feaunati on bench. Ford is also coming to the end of his deal at Sale Sharks but director of rugby Alex Sanderson is confident the North West native will remain at the club.

Regular season

Clearly you don’t have the ability to feel shame, but dude know I feel sad for you. It’s a question every rugby fan has an answer for, but rarely are any two answers the same. Edinburgh have confirmed they expect to be without full-back Emiliano Boffelli for a large chunk of the season as the Argentine star prepares for further surgery on a longstanding back problem. Updates from the world of sport on TV, including news, views and how to watch it all live.

England

There are quicker wings but few with the try-scoring finesse of the electric 27-year-old. The 23-year-old has won only eight caps «but this could be the campaign where he really makes a name for himself», said Wales Online. The Scarlets’ playmaker «remains a work in progress» but is «highly regarded» by the Wales management, and seen as a player with an «extremely bright future on the international circuit». Owen Farrell’s absence presents an «important moment to one of the brightest talents in English rugby», said Rugby Pass. Smith shows «an instinct for attack and courage to play beyond any of his rivals for the jersey», said the sports site, «but he must also prove he can guide England through choppier waters».

Women in Sport Spotlight

The following players have received the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month award during the 2024–25 season, as selected by a panel of media commentators, in addition to monthly public polls. With game time now under the belt, ALB will be perfectly primed for a strong year as Waikato look to go one better, and will plenty on the line to play for with positions in the All Blacks starting XV open. The fastest player ever to reach 40 tries in Super Rugby, Sevu Reece, in partnership with former Crusader Leicester Fainga’anuku, was a major reason behind their team’s insane ability to score tries. A ruthless finisher, Reece is still no less of a threat out on the wings for Canterbury, and many backlines will have their work cut out just trying to shut him down. Sharing the record with Telea with 12 tries last season, Codie Taylor is a formidable veteran at the head of a dangerous Crusaders pack.

Springboks crowned 2024 Rugby Championship winners for the first time since 2019

Physically, the 26-year-old is a powerful defender and strong ball carrier, who, at the time of writing, looks to be the ultimate bench option given his versatility. This will, of course, not be the role he wants to occupy long term, and he likely will push Crowley, if given an opportunity. The competition will feature the same 10 teams from the 2023–24 season.

• Arguably only the second true utility player on this list alongside Levani Botia, former sevens specialty Smith is one of the best back row players in the world.
• Scott Robertson won’t be disheartened, though, as there were many positives.
• As for Ireland, «there was and is something brutally mechanical» about them, said The Telegraph.
• Now that the 2024 squads have been announced, here are the Six Nations players to watch from each team.

Planet Sport Network

In addition to Ringrose, Irish supporters will be excited to watch new captain, Peter O’Mahony. Farrell will be hoping that O’Mahony can fill the void left by behemoth Johnny Sexton, who retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Unless you’re a London Irish or Harlequins fan, then Chandler Cunningham-South is a name you might not know. However, he could become a familiar face following the 2024 Six Nations. Somewhat of a throwback in his style of play, Kremer is the enforcer in a gnarly Argentine pack that never takes a backwards step.

25 Premiership Rugby

He is up there as one of the best No 8s in world rugby and will be key to Les Bleus navigating the tournament without Antoine Dupont. As captain of La Rochelle, Gregory Alldritt is no stranger to being the leader of his side. Fresh from his mid-season break, Alldritt is expected to lead from the front for France, his power and commanding presence in the pack giving his side confidence. Head coach Warren Gatland believes he can grow into an Alun Wyn Jones-style of leader- the highest of compliments for the young man. Potentially the best scrum-half in England at the moment after an incredible season with Northampton, Alex Mitchell could really come into his own at this tournament. Leinster and La Rochelle once again met in the Champions Cup final, with the Irish side dominating the first half before La Rochelle staged a big comeback to retain their title once again.

Super Rugby’s top 50 players in 2024, 20-11: All Blacks next generation shines through

• Cam Winnett for Wales, Johnny Matthews for Scotland, Ciaran Frawley or Calvin Nash for Ireland, Nocolas Depootare for France and Feyi-Waboso or Cunningham-South for England.
• Any match that is not a full international between two member countries does not count at all.
• A host of rugby’s most gifted players will go head to head over the coming weeks in the 25th instalment of the Guinness Six Nations.
• Standing at 6 foot 8 and weighing 145 kg, this commanding lock is a firm favourite amongst Toulouse fans.
• A master tactician with a sublime passing and kicking game, Ford is an old-school game manager in the best sense of the word.
• Now, if he impresses new head coach Gonzalo Quesada, Varney could be the danger man as Italy look to fire in attack like they never have before to challenge the likes of Wales, England, and Scotland.
• The wing is truly prolific personified and a dangerous threat whether he crosses for a try or sets one up.
• One half of an all-star French halves combination, Romain Ntamack continues to emerge as one of rugby’s most promising young players.
• Bendon recently undertook the daunting task of ranking the top 100 rugby players in the world.

Owen Farrell’s absence presents an important moment to one of the brightest talents in English rugby, who should now be given an extended run at fly-half. Smith shows an instinct for attack and courage to play beyond any of his rivals for the jersey, but he must also prove he can guide England through choppier waters. Here we take a look at five stars expected to grab the headlines when the tournament kicks off on February 2nd.

Caitlin Clark Sets One Last Viewership Record on Her Way Out

His ability to play fullback, wing, or center, coupled with his goal-kicking prowess, makes him a valuable asset to the New Zealand squad. Japan’s Rugby League One and France’s Top 14 have two players each among the top five highest-paid rugby players. Hopefully NZ will respect us enough to do likelwise without abusing Irish players or abusing our amazing supporters again. «They also are producing a steady stream of positive drug tests.» No ‘They’ are not. A few players outside the Bok squad like Jantjies and Nkosi have tested positive and often players are testing positive once they’ve moved to another country to play club rugby. Meanwhile, the ABs seem to have no problem turning a blind eye to wife beaters.

• There is plenty for Contepomi to build on with this Los Pumas side.
• It’s hard to imagine if the Springboks would be the world’s top-ranked side without Kolisi, who will no doubt be instrumental in their World Cup title defence next year.
• Here the PA news agency looks at five stars expected to grab the headlines.
• With the U.S. trailing 12-7 in the game’s final seconds, Sedrick broke away from the Australia defense for a game-tying try.
• 5 – Adam Beard – 5A hefty presence at set piece, he couldn’t replicate that anywhere else on the park.
• The lock has won more than 100 caps for his country, and continues to be one of, if not the best lock in the world.

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)

Scoring nine tries last year, he’ll be in stiff competition with teammate TJ Perenara for starting caps in both Wellington and the national side. After a strong year in Super Rugby that saw the Crusaders retain their title, Blackadder was called into the All Blacks squad for the World Cup as an injury cover. While he only featured in one Test, Blackadder looms as one of the All Blacks most exciting prospects coming through the ranks, and certainly has already established himself in the Crusaders line up. A shoo-in for the Blues starting XV, he looms as one of their most dangerous attacking weapons and one of the best finishers in the competition.

England pivots George Ford and Alex Mitchell in doubt for All Blacks clash

As a goal-kicker, there are few more reliable than the versatile playmaker who will not only create tries. Aki possesses the rare skill of being able to generate tremendous power from a standing start, even against a defence as robust as South Africa’s. They will have to do so without the «talismanic figure» of Johnny Sexton, who has retired. Jack Crowley looks likely to take over as the new playmaker at No. 10 and experienced Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony is the new captain, reported Sky News. And with the key games against France and England being away from Dublin, back-to-back Grand Slams would be a «real achievement», said the paper.

It wasn’t a campaign to hang in the Louvre but, collectively, these players can feel pleased with what they achieved. Now, if he impresses new head coach Gonzalo Quesada, Varney could be the danger man as Italy look to fire in attack like they never have before to challenge the likes of Wales, England, and Scotland. When England played to his style at the latter end of the World Cup it worked wonders and his kicking game could be pivotal in the Six Nations.

• A surprising amount of people were happy when the Irish team beat the All Blacks as it was good for the game.
• With the eyes of the sport turning from the recently ended United Rugby Championship, Top 14 and Super Rugby seasons, it’s time to look at who the best players in the world are in 2024.
• 11 – Rio Dyer – 6.5This felt like a more senior, accomplished performance from Dyer.
• But a distinct lack of quality, as well as enough heft, meant they couldn’t get the better of England’s rush defence.
• Handrè Pollard is the definition of a clutch player – always there to depend on in the tough moments.
• Despite representing England at age group level, Arron Reed will make his debut for Scotland at the upcoming Six Nations.
• Their most impressive performance was their win in New Zealand, closely followed by their dominant victory over Australia.

Welsh fans may also be heartened by the precocious presence of fullback Cameron Winnett, who for many will have come from nowhere and sits third with 37 carries (see below for another impressive Winnett-related feat). Finally you have lost the respect of a lot of the Irish rugby community. That’s neither here nor there because NZ rugby and their fans (if this site is a reflection) don’t value our respect. This is the standard that World Rugby expects all rugby nations including New Zealand to adhere to.

United Rugby Championship

Australian rugby is clearly feeling the effects of a disruptive tenure under Eddie Jones.Joe Schmidt has a massive job ahead of him. The Wallabies are in the doldrums and need a significant boost in quality in their forward pack, particularly in the tight five, as well as finding a flyhalf capable of controlling the game. The 2024 Rugby Championship was filled with thrilling encounters between four of the top rugby nations. Bet Central takes a look at how all the teams fared in this year’s competition.

Mr. Rugby on the Modern Game

What was most remarkable was how, despite rotating and changing the team almost weekly, their efficiency remained incredibly high. The Springboks have an established way of playing that continues to yield results. Singled out as one to watch by Italy great Sergio Parisse, the uncapped Izekor is a colossus of a back row who stands 6’5 tall and weighs well over 17 stones. A force on both sides of the ball, the 23-year-old will be looking to transfer his impressive form for Benetton onto the Test arena.

Fiji set to climb to their highest-ever World Rugby Women’s Ranking

Seemingly unstoppable, Italian fans have high hopes that he will soon become one of their best Six Nations players of all-time. Ringrose achieved new heights at the 2023 Six Nations, scoring Ireland’s winning try against France. Commenting on his performance, O’Driscoll praised Ringrose’s ability to disrupt and halt oncoming attacks. But which players could make their mark at this year’s Six Nations?

While this has, at times, counted against him starting, his world-class ability has made him a British and Irish Lion, as well as a staple in the Irish match day 23. His performance against the All Blacks in the 2019 World Cup semifinal https://becric.co.in/ is up there with the best individual showings of all time. Rugby in countries like the US has a long way to go to catch up in spending. The sport continues to gain popularity and may eventually land players on the list.