50 Best Men's Rugby Union Players - Current Stars and All Time Greats

Here’s a list of the 50 best men’s rugby union players, split between current stars and all-time greats:

Top 25 Current Rugby Union Players (2025)

(Based on form, impact, and overall ability in recent years.)

1. Antoine Dupont (France) – Scrum-half
2. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) – Lock
3. Ardie Savea (New Zealand) – Flanker/No. 8
4. Maro Itoje (England) – Lock
5. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – Fly-half/Fullback
6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – Flanker
7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – Flanker
8. Johnny Sexton (Ireland) – Fly-half (Retired in 2023 but recent form counts)
9. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) – Wing/Fullback
10. Will Jordan (New Zealand) – Wing/Fullback
11. Finn Russell (Scotland) – Fly-half
12. Damian Penaud (France) – Wing
13. Romain Ntamack (France) – Fly-half
14. Aaron Smith (New Zealand) – Scrum-half
15. Franco Mostert (South Africa) – Lock
16. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) – Flanker/Lock
17. Freddie Steward (England) – Fullback
18. Ellis Genge (England) – Prop
19. Julien Marchand (France) – Hooker
20. Caelan Doris (Ireland) – No. 8
21. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – Prop
22. Julio Montoya (Argentina) – Hooker
23. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – Wing
24. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand) – Centre/Fullback
25. Handré Pollard (South Africa) – Fly-half

Top 25 Rugby Union Players of All Time

(Based on skill, impact, achievements, and legacy.)

1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – Wing
2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) – Flanker
3. Dan Carter (New Zealand) – Fly-half
4. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – Centre
5. Martin Johnson (England) – Lock
6. Gareth Edwards (Wales) – Scrum-half
7. David Campese (Australia) – Wing
8. John Eales (Australia) – Lock
9. Sergio Parisse (Italy) – No. 8
10. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – Lock
11. Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) – Hooker
12. Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa) – Scrum-half
13. Francois Pienaar (South Africa) – Flanker
14. Michael Jones (New Zealand) – Flanker
15. Jean de Villiers (South Africa) – Centre
16. Andre Joubert (South Africa) – Fullback
17. JPR Williams (Wales) – Fullback
18. Barry John (Wales) – Fly-half
19. Jonny Wilkinson (England) – Fly-half
20. Phil Bennett (Wales) – Fly-half
21. Schalk Burger (South Africa) – Flanker
22. Morne du Plessis (South Africa) – No. 8
23. Jason Robinson (England) – Wing/Fullback
24. Colin Meads (New Zealand) – Lock
25. Owen Farrell (England) - Fly-half