Rugby World UK – July 2019

“Who is the best

player in the world?”

JOHNNY SEXTON was
crowned World Player of the
Year at the end of November
after a stupendous 2018.
Yet the Leinster and Ireland
fly-half has struggled to hit the
same heights this year, injuries
stalling his momentum.
David Pocock was given the
highest honour in Australian
rugby at the end of last year
when he was voted winner of
the John Eales Medal. Yet he’s
played only three matches in
2019 and is battling to be fit
in time for the World Cup.
Danny Cipriani collected an
awards double in May – RPA
Players’ Player of the Year and
Premiership Player of the Year.
Yet he wasn’t picked in the
England squads for the autumn
series or this year’s Six Nations.
Three examples that show how fickle
sport can be. The vagaries of form.
Injuries halting players in their prime.
Ability being in the eye of the selector.
Whenever talk turns to the best or the
greatest players, so much of the debate
is subjective. It’s the player you enjoy
watching, the skill-set you appreciate,
the talismanic qualities you admire. It

could be a sidestepper or a hard hitter,

a top try-scorer or a scrum dominator,

a young gun or an unflinching stalwart.

All of these types of players will be

starring for their country at the World

Cup in a few short months. After all,

rugby is a team game, with 15 players all

offering eclectic talents. Such variety is

why we love this sport and it’s why we

relish debates on who is the best.

We’ve counted down who we think are

the 100 best players in the world right

now (P35). The majority will be looking to

impress in Japan later this year but we’ve

also included stars of the women’s and

sevens games, as well as players out of

favour with their national coaches.

We’ve made our choices but look

forward to hearing who you think is

currently the best player in the world. n

Classy operator

2018 World Player of

the Year Johnny Sexton

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE

TALKING ABOUT THIS MONTH

Front Row

PIC

Getty Images

HAVE YOUR SAY

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“It’s the first time we will have

played New Zealand since the

World Cup final, but both sides

have changed. It’s not about looking

back. It’s about the next cycle” P

EMILY SCARRATT THIS MONTH