100
BEST PLAYERS
E
IGHTEEN MONTHS have
passed since Rugby World
last compiled the ultimate
list of the 100 best players in
the world right now. It’s no easy task to
put together, so as well as seeking the
opinions of our writers from across the
globe, we brought together a panel to
debate who should make the cut.
Fiji’s gold medal-winning sevens coach
Ben Ryan, Wasps Ladies director of
rugby Giselle Mather, Welsh broadcaster
Ross Harries and Kiwi writer Liam Napier
joined us for the selection meeting after
the European finals – and more than
200 names were thrown into the mix!
Cutting those down to 100 meant
making tough decisions. Players’ recent
form has been given precedence over
previous achievements – Johnny Sexton
is lower down the pecking order as it
hasn’t quite clicked for him in 2019 –
and we haven’t included those
who’ve struggled with injury
over the past year, the likes
of Taulupe Faletau and
David Pocock, as there is
no form to judge them on.
Comparing players across
competitions, positions and
genders is difficult, so we
looked at players’ influence in
their teams as well as their skill-sets.
You can see a breakdown of nationality,
age and position of the top 100 here
and turn over to see who makes the list.
We know it will spark opinions and we
don’t expect you to agree with all our
choices, which is why we want to know
YOUR views. Is the right person at No 1?
Who is too high or too low? Who have
we excluded that you think should be in?
Get in touch on Twitter and Instagram
(@rugbyworldmag) by using the #RW100
hashtag, contact us via Facebook (Rugby
World Magazine) or email rugbyworld
[email protected] – and we’ll report
back with your views in the next issue.ON TOP OF
THE WORLD
Find out how we selected the 100
best players from across the globe...
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
#RW100
BY POSITION
211ARGENTINAUSACANADAWonder woman
Pauline Bourdon is our top femalePROP 9%
HOOKER 7%LOCK 12%BACK ROW 18%
SCRUM-HALF 10%FLY-HALF 11%CENTRE 11%BACK THREE 19%SEVENS 3%Happy fans
18 All Blacks make the list