However, given the scrum-half is closing in on 90 England caps, and has won selection for two British and Irish Lions tours, his attributes have been valued by a number of national head coaches.

Furlong is a big scrummager but it doesn’t end there for him — far from it. After Ireland’s second-Test win over over South Africa, Rob Kearney suggested Tadhg Furlong was changing the role of tight-head prop.

He has returned to rugby after a protracted sabbatical and it’s as if he hasn’t been away. After 68 minutes of English dominance in Dublin in the 2019 Six Nations, Curry still had the hunger for a turnover after this Courtney Lawes tackle (below). Australia went on to lose to the Pumas at home for the first time. He is “almost the perfect rugby player” according to his first coach John Hart. Marx had achieved four turnovers, put in 14 carries — three of which he turned into clean breaks — made 11 tackles and scored a try and set one up. The size issue is probably the one thing that has stopped XVs clubs from knocking down his door with contract offers. And he remains quick, enough at least to skin a defender on the outside. With heavy forwards charging off his shoulder, Youngs ties in fringe defenders with his own running threat. When you add his flashy touches - the willingness to free his arms, the charismatic offloading, the pillowy hands - his game goes into overdrive.

CR. Goodhue possesses an underrated left-footed kicking game. Dane Coles has been absent because of injury but his deputy Codie Taylor has stepped up to the plate with a series of strong displays. With a scything, jinking break from the backfield - woe betide anyone who punts poorly to McKenzie. For a long time it was confidence and feeling that he belongs at the highest level. His trademark carrying style - weight forward, using the ball to bounce defenders - combines with a low centre of gravity to create a No 8 who has often been unplayable. He played for New Zealand All Black as the most successful Flanker and earned 55 caps with 56 points. It is difficult to pinpoint a flaw in such a rounded player. The 2019 Six Nations Championship felt like a coming-of-age tournament for Slade. CM. In the previous Six Nations campaign, too, he became the first player in history to make over 100 tournament tackles. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands, too, and covers the ground well, meaning that his carrying is more effective in space than down dark alleyways. France have just never used him as well as they could do. Injured in the final Test against Ireland, but Hooper caught the eye in the series opener and was to the fore on Australia’s pre-Christmas European tour, standing out against Wales with a display that saw him make 10 carries, put in 14 tackles and achieve three turnovers. On the other side of the ball, he surveys matters and preys upon subtle defensive weaknesses, from poor spacing around the ruck to wings that hang back behind their colleagues in the 13 channel. Ashley-Cooper needs a similar impact. 10. The curse of injury striking again. Shades of Christian Cullen in his pomp, McKenzie’s frightening acceleration and ankle-breaking step can create try-scoring opportunities in an instant.

CM. Complete mismatch with his size and strength. There is a good reason why Bristol made him the best paid player in the world last year. He is also unlikely to lose many footraces. There are many bigger wings in world rugby but none have predatory instincts to compare with Ioane’s. He cuts a lip-lickingly good line, too, with an outside fade his trademark. Mick Cleary's World U23 XV: Who makes it into a team selected from the best young players on the planet. An incredibly smart player, who can really tackle as well. Lethal. 15, but he is too clever for words and can adapt to any challenge in the back three. He and Sexton are masters of all they survey when it comes to half-back play right now. Toulouse’s young guns have rightly been the toast of France in recent years, but there is another jewel in the heart of the country. Maybe, although the man himself says no one will surpass Waisale Serevi. A stint at Montpellier followed but it has been in Devon with Exeter where White has thrived. BC. There are few more reliable players in world rugby than the Welshman. Find out more, The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful.

He is a shameless grafter;  ferret-like at the breakdown, with enthusiasm to push off the defensive line and make tackle after tackle. He was voted as the third best All Black of the 20th century by Rugby World magazine.

Stuff like that is worth a lot to a team. He has a big work-rate around the field, too. James Ryan has also been outstanding for Leinster and Ireland and looks a Lion in the making. Charles Richardson. He was won 48 caps but really should be a centurion, given Fofana's grace with ball in hand. When you combine the skill, the power, and the pace with greyhound-acceleration and terrifying footwork, he seemingly has the full package. It epitomised his balance and poise. Mick Cleary. McKenzie’s firecracker attacking game is easy on the eye but it is high risk; mistakes are punished ruthlessly in Test rugby. Born in Harare, his longevity has been remarkable. Michael Flatley would be envious of his footwork, which has left many a player clutching thin air, while he is imperious under the high ball. He missed three over the course of those five matches, but we can probably let him off. Though he is more than capable of producing a wow moment, Slade’s influence is more often not felt in making the right decisions and bringing out the best of the players around him. (Or skip ahead to the next parts in the series), Part two: The best rugby players in the world 80-61, Part three: The best rugby players in the world 60-41, Part four: The best rugby players in the world 40-21, Part five: The best rugby players in the world 20-1. The result is this, our list of the 100 best players in the world today. Youngs may be one of the more divisive choices on this countdown. Likewise, he is secure under high balls with the dancing footwork and deceptive pace to evade onrushing chasers. He is a shrewd lineout operator, too, and has taken to leading Scotland’s lineout in recent years. The recently crowned Aviva Premiership player of the year is 34 but Dean Richards, his club boss at Newcastle, reckons the islander defies the ageing process. A schoolboy fly-half promising enough to represent England age-group outfits, Goode was blooded as a full-back at Saracens. Wales finished their Test programme a week last Saturday and after the weekend the rest of the northern hemisphere has followed suit. The returns of Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell galvanised Australia four years ago. Mako Vunipola hasn’t quite been at the races in South Africa in recent weeks, while Nariashvili is rarely off his game. Mtawarira's experience is vital for this young Springbok squad heading to Japan, but his work-rate has certainly not diminished, notably making nine tackles off the bench in that recent win over New Zealand. At the start of New Zealand’s loss in Perth recently – and Goodhue left the field due to injury even before Scott Barrett’s red card – Goodhue’s in-field grubber laid on Anton Lienert-Brown’s try. DS. If you were to build a prototype of a modern centre, it would look pretty close to Henry Slade. He is not a barnstorming ball-carrier in the tight and sometimes gets too long in contact.

The Welsh rugby kids lost to England who Wales will now try to get back, Some of Welsh rugby's best talents were lost to England some years ago. At his best, he simply glides his way through defences. DS. It's the injuries. Henry Slade scored on the following phase. France have certainly never been able to decide. Tuisova can change the game in a second, but he can be unreliable and lacking control. Subscribe to receive the latest rugby news direct to your inbox. Against Wales last November he dished out harsh lessons to Leon Brown and still found time to put in a big shift in the loose. New Zealand’s third touchdown against Wales last autumn owed everything to Ioane’s blinding speed. From a standing start, Picamoles’ feet take him past Richie McCaw and those thighs propel him through Brodie Retallick.

White has scored two tries against New Zealand four years apart, both in victories, but spectacular solo tries have been in short supply compared to his rival Will Genia. His recent score, from a kick-off, against Northampton for Clermont was special. The 35-year-old is off to his fourth Rugby World Cup in Japan and will provide Australia's squad with dollops of experience. So often, in these transition situations, Goodhue is the man to play the killer pass that unlocks a disorganised defence before hunting a second touch to score himself. News, views and all the moves in the world of Rugby Union. There was a time in 2016 when at least one respected judge rated Aaron Smith the top rugby player on the planet. For a small man - he is less than 1.8m - he tackles well, and is no liability beneath a high ball; he can make up the height deficiency with pole-vaulting leaps thanks to his prodigious athleticism. He appeared to be the perfect rugby player. The speed of White's passing proved pivotal in that win over New Zealand, creating a four-on-two overlap that eventually led to a try finished off by White himself from Marika Koroibete's offload. Pivotal in Clermont's run to the Top 14 final last season, scoring nine tries, the son of former France international Alain Penaud is building a reputation for being a fine finisher at club and Test level. Tenacity and power make him a rock-like defender in either centre position. His rare anticipation and footballing skill give him time to cover the back-field and win kicking battles. The following statements were true this time last year: Israel Folau was Australia's best player and arguably the best full-back in the world.

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