The 30 best men's rugby players in the world as 2025 begins
With a new year upon us it only seems natural to assess the best rugby players in the world as we head into 2025.
Putting together a list is a thankless task. There will inevitably be people who disagree and if social media is anything to go by South African fans would have an issue if one of their players isn't ranked at number one.
It is almost impossible to rank a second-row against a wing given the nuances of the game, for example, but nevertheless these are the 30 best rugby players in the world as we see it going into 2025.
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30-26
30. Wallace Sititi, 29. Sione Tuipulotu, 28. Scott Barrett, 27. Codie Taylor, 26. Jamison Gibson-Park.
All Blacks backrower Wallace Sititi has been a revelation since making his Test debut in 2024 and is the physical blindside New Zealand need. Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu was outstanding in the autumn and will surely tour with the Lions this summer.
Scott Barrett is a model of consistency for the All Blacks while 33-year-old hooker Codie Taylor enjoyed an excellent Rugby Championship. If Antoine Dupont didn't exist Jamison Gibson-Park would be considered the best nine in the world such has been his impact on Irish rugby.
25-21
25. Bundee Aki, 24. Thomas Ramos, 23. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 22. Finn Russell, 21. Jesse Kriel.
Experienced Connacht centre Aki has played a crucial role in Ireland dominating the northern hemisphere, while South African midfielder Jesse Kriel can is arguably the best number 13 on the planet.
It's hard to believe Louis Bielle-Biarrey is only 21 such has his impact been on France of late. The Bordeaux flyer was outstanding as France edged out the All Blacks last autumn.
Thomas Ramos is a sublime footballer who is as comfortable at 10 as he is at full back and is arguably the best goal kicker in the world.
20-16
20. Jordie Barrett, 19. Cyrile Baille, 18. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Thomas du Toit, 16. Siya Kolisi
New Leinster signing Barrett is a terrific footballer and one of the most creative players in the world. France prop Cyrile Baille is as good as they come in the set-piece while Wales got taken apart by Springbok prop Thomas du Toit in the autumn.
Bath man du Toit is arguably the best front-rower in the English Premiership, while Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka is an explosive carrier who is as good in the tight as he is in the wide channels.
15-11
15. Ox Nché, 14. Dan Sheehan, 13. Malcolm Marx, 12. Pablo Matera, 11. Tadhg Beirne.
Argentina have beaten the All Blacks and world champions South Africa this season while they also put 67 points on the Wallabies. In all three victories blindside flanker Pablo Matera was outstanding.
Loosehead prop Ox Nché is a big reason why South Africa have the best scrum in the world, while hooker Malcolm Marx is a force of nature at times. Former Scarlets man Tadhg Beirne remains a force to be reckoned with for Ireland while there are few better forwards in the wide channels than Dan Sheehan.
10. Damian Penaud
The 28-year-old is a prolific try scorer. Penaud is a force of nature with ball in hand and is on a par with South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe as the best finisher in the world.
Both Bordeaux and France are far better teams when Penaud is in them.
9. Caelan Doris
Doris has been totemic for both Leinster and Ireland over a number of years. The dynamic No 8 is an explosive carrier and a high impact player who is a natural leader of men.
The front runner to captain the British & Irish Lions in Australia next summer.
8. Beauden Barrett
He might be heading towards the tail end of his career but Barrett remains one of best players in the world. Barrett, who has figured at both fly-half and full-back this season, is a genuine match winner.
7. Will Jordan
The 26-year-old's try scoring record is nothing short of remarkable, with Jordan crossing for a phenomenal 38 tries in 40 Test matches. When Jordan plays the All Blacks' attack goes to a different level.
Just a devastating attacker from both fullback and the wing.
6. Damian de Allende
The 33-year-old is the unsung hero of the Springboks squad and is undoubtedly the best inside centre on the planet. De Allende is the glue which holds the South Africa backline together and is a mixture of explosive power, great footwork and defensive brilliance.
5. Cheslin Kolbe
The very definition of X-factor. Kolbe is arguably the deadliest finisher in world rugby but has a superb all-round game.
In a game full of giants he has defied the odds to play a crucial role in South Africa's back-to-back Rugby World Cup winning campaigns.
4. Ardie Savea
The 29-year-old may not be playing in an iconic New Zealand team but he will undoubtedly go down as one of the very finest backrowers to have represented the All Blacks. Savea is a force of nature in the contact area with his explosive carries making significant post-contact metres.
A real talisman and was named World Player of the Year in 2023.
3. Eben Etzebeth
Rewind the clock a decade or so and it was difficult to imagine a South African second-row ever surpassing the legendary duo of Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield but Etzebeth has done just that. The 33-year-old has created a new meaning to the word physicality and is a back-to-back World Cup winner for a reason.
2. Pieter-Steph du Toit
The 32-year-old is a collosus and has played a pivotal part in two Rugby World Cup winning campaigns. Du Toit is undoubtedly one of the finest forwards ever to represent the Springboks which is saying something.
He was named World Player of the Year in 2019 and 2024 and keeps on getting better.
1. Antoine Dupont
Not much explanation needed here. Most rugby experts are debating whether the magical Frenchman is the greatest player to have ever played the game.
The 28-year-old's performance in Toulouse's Champions Cup final victory over Leinster last year was undoubtedly one of the best in the competition's history. Missed the 2024 Six Nations to represent France in the Olympic sevens and picked up a gold medal.
His all-round game is unrivalled.
