Despite representing England at age group level, Arron Reed will make his debut for Scotland at the upcoming Six Nations. The Sale Sharks winger had reportedly garnered the interest of Steve Borthwick before being snapped up by Gregor Townsend. Additionally, with Antoine Dupont absent, Grégory Alldritt will steer the 2024 Six Nations squad. Widely regarded as one of the finest number eights in the modern game, fans will be eager to see how Dupont’s replacement performs.

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No. 8 Ardie Savea was named World Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2023 after picking up a silver medal at the Rugby World Cup. Savea’s standout performance in the tournament held in France came in the quarter-final, where his scoring prowess aided his team to victory over Ireland. He has also added his leadership skills to the All Blacks, captaining the team on multiple occasions. The top spot should come as little surprise after Antoine Dupont led Toulouse to both Investec Champions Cup and Top 14 title. Ford had started all of England’s matches during this year’s Six Nations but missed the summer tour after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon.

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• Prop Joe Marler and centre Henry Slade also have not played so far this season due to foot and shoulder injuries respectively.
• And being named co-captain with Rory Darge signals an end to his previously stormy relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend.
• His annual salary of $900,000 establishes him as the fourth highest-paid rugby player.
• Welsh fans may also be heartened by the precocious presence of fullback Cameron Winnett, who for many will have come from nowhere and sits third with 37 carries (see below for another impressive Winnett-related feat).
• The veteran lock was a shining light in England’s below-par Six Nations campaign to become a regular test starter for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa.
• “It is great that we have the opportunity to play the world champions again within a few weeks.

Once he gets back on the park, expect him to make an impression quickly. He’s earned 129 Super Rugby caps and 85 international caps for a reason. Second to one other hooker higher in the list, he looms as one of the All Blacks’ strongest competitors.

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In the USA, FloRugby will broadcast some of the best international rugby fixtures of 2024. “There are no better matches than the Red Roses against the Black Ferns and they will be wanting to put a few things right.” “It is great that we have the opportunity to play the world champions again within a few weeks. England won 2023’s inaugural WXV title with victory over New Zealand, as well as their most recent meeting with the Black Ferns, at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium last month.

Jamaica celebrate winning return to test rugby

Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Scoring eight tries in the 2023 season, this flying Fijian went on to earn his first cap for the All Blacks, as they demolished Los Pumas in Mendoza to kick off their Rugby Championship campaign. This will be a year of significant growth for the talented loose forward, with spots now wide open and a chance to impress his former coach, Scott Robertson. Anyone can contribute to The Roar and have their work featured alongside some of Australia’s most prominent sports journalists. Some of the changes he made, like the elevation of Tomás Albornoz, gave the team more control in terms of game management, resulting in major improvements.

• Once he gets back on the park, expect him to make an impression quickly.
• Sexton was banned for abusing/disrespecting Peyper in what was the identical version of this for the Chamions League competition.
• With Scott Barrett also captaining the Crusaders, Jordie will also be desperate to get his hands on a Super Rugby title.
• “We were happy with parts of our game but know there’s room for improvement in other areas and South Africa will present a big challenge on home turf.”
• He followed this by scoring a try during England’s semi-final against France at the World Rugby U20 Championship.
• His wonderful performance against Argentina at the World Cup will go down in English Rugby history as one of the best individual performances in a white shirt.
• Nothing too flashy, he continued to find his close-in runners and – mostly – his areas when box kicking.

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Bendon recently undertook the daunting task of ranking the top 100 rugby players in the world. The best players can earn lofty wages in the most popular rugby leagues worldwide. Owen Farrell, fly-half of Racing 92, tops the list as the highest-paid rugby player in the world for 2024. Given the hoopla in NZ over O’Mahony sledging Cane, if Ireland had simlarly abused NZ players and supporters after one of the matches in the test series we can assume the uproar would have been heard from space. “Kolbe running into props and pretend to have been flattened.” Tyrel Lomax changed his line and took Kolbe out.

Wales drop out of top 10, Fiji climb back in

Followers of Reffell since his fledgling days with the U20s and Leicester will say it was ever thus, and won’t be surprised to see him atop the list of turnovers won. Fellow back rower Sam Underhill is making up for lost time in the England jersey and has five turnovers, with Maro Itoje and Gianmarco Lucchesi behind him on four. Most surprising, perhaps, is the presence of Reffell’s former Tigers teammate George Ford among these turnover titans. Respect for team-mates, opponents, match officials and those involved in the game is paramount. The captain behind South Africa’s World Cup success in 2019, Siya Kolisi’s influence and leadership within the Springboks squad was a significant reason behind their series triumph over the British and Irish Lions.

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• She then made the subsequent conversion to stun medal-favorite Australia and give the United States its first-ever rugby medal.
• Wing Monty Ioane, who appears to be an ever-present across a number of categories, such is his potency in attack, is third with 10.
• “She has had a few knockbacks in her career and picked up some big injuries, but she has taken that all in her stride and has really grown.”
• After celebrating their tournament-opening win over Wales, the Australians have turned their focus to the host nation.
• A link player of the highest order, Am’s eye for a gap and top notch skills to either finish or put a teammate away has revolutionized Springboks Rugby from an attacking standpoint.
• He’s earned 129 Super Rugby caps and 85 international caps for a reason.

George has been picked by the England head coach for his tactical nous, ability to build relationships, and emotional intelligence. A quasi backrow-cum-center in the front row, Toulouse star Mauvaka is a new hooker who would slot into any team in world rugby. A link player of the highest order, Am’s eye for a gap and top notch skills to either finish or put a teammate away has revolutionized Springboks Rugby from an attacking standpoint.

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Lowe has “rapidly become one of the most exciting wings in international rugby”, said Rugby All Star. His performances for Ireland have been marked by “blistering pace, deft handling, and an uncanny ability to find the try line”. And, as his impressive attacking stats prove, he is a player who can “turn a game on its head with a single moment of brilliance”. Usually, the best rugby players in the world only gather in one place every four years when the Rugby World Cup tournament begins, but as the international rugby season is underway, it’s good time to get them together. Dragons wing Rio Dyer is proving himself to be a favourite with Wales head coach Warren Garland, and it’s not hard to see why, when he plays every game like it could be his last.

• Still only 22-years-old, Ntamack has acted as a pillar of France’s recent rejuvenation in test rugby, having starred in a variety of matches from the No 10 jersey.
• Owen Farrell, fly-half of Racing 92, tops the list as the highest-paid rugby player in the world for 2024.
• A shoo-in for the Blues starting XV, he looms as one of their most dangerous attacking weapons and one of the best finishers in the competition.
• And with the key games against France and England being away from Dublin, back-to-back Grand Slams would be a “real achievement”, said the paper.
• With his long-term teammate and friend now unavailable and seemingly on his way to the Top 14, Ford could prove to be both the first-choice fly-half and English captain this year.

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The 25-year-old was England’s starting fly-half on the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand and will have an opportunity to retain the No 10 shirt for the autumn campaign that George Ford is likely to miss with a torn quad. The Wallaroos are hoping to celebrate Ashley Marsters becoming the equal most-capped Australian women’s Test player with a victory in the WXV2 tournament against South Africa. Cam Winnett for Wales, Johnny Matthews for Scotland, Ciaran Frawley or Calvin Nash for Ireland, Nocolas Depootare for France and Feyi-Waboso or Cunningham-South for England. Australia’s women’s rugby sevens team was on the brink on winning bronze. The 21-year-old arguably is Borthwick’s most viable long-term option, given his ability to combine what the England coach traditionally has favored with a strong running game. Forced to play in a dual playmaker role for an extended period under former coach Eddie Jones, the two players somewhat stifled each other on many occasions.

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A true headhunter on defense, the giant center smashes opponents with an unrelenting velocity, while in attack, he has the glint of the great Waisale Serevi about him. Fijian Rugby’s spiritual leader, Nayacelevu led his team to within an inch of a Rugby World Cup semifinal in 2023. England’s chop-tackling maestro is back to his best and has added another layer to his game as a game-changing carrier. Still just 27 years old, the 2019 Rugby World Cup star brings a nasty edge to an explosive England pack. Slotting into a star-studded Toulouse backline, the diminutive dynamo is one of the most exciting attacking talents in the world.

Rugby’s New Era: Rising Fly-Half Stars For The 2024 Guinness Six Nations

Working alongside fellow international Craig Casey in the Munster halfbacks is another feather in the cap of the man who looks set to be the first choice for the foreseeable future. So, as the rugby world awaits the imminent squad announcements, here are three fly-half options for each nation who should get the first crack at the whip in 2024. 17 – Corey Domachowski –  4Asked to join the scene by scrumming against Dan Cole. Didn’t struggle as much as fellow substitute Archie Griffin, but didn’t win his personal duel.

It was also a major reason behind their exhilarating victory over the All Blacks on the Gold Coast, as was his exceptional defensive and breakdown work. It’s hard to imagine if the Springboks would be the world’s top-ranked side without Kolisi, who will no doubt be instrumental in their World Cup title defence next year. In a year where the All Blacks struggled to reach the lofty goals they expect of themselves, Ardie Savea stood head and shoulders above his peers as the best New Zealand had to offer.

This includes rugby legends like Jonny Wilkinson, Alun Wyn Jones and Ronan O’Gara, whose names remain synonymous with the championship. Arguably only the second true utility player on this list alongside Levani Botia, former sevens specialty Smith is one of the best back row players in the world. However, if the occasion calls for it, he is a more-than-able option in the centers or on the wing, making him a prized asset to the South Africa setup. Bestowed the crown of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2021, the recent renaissance of French rugby has largely centred around halfback Antoine Dupont. While France are currently blessed with a raft of talented youngsters who have thrust Les Bleus back to the peak of their powers, few wield the influence Dupont has on both his team and the matches he plays in. Being central to such a significant comeback after years of dormancy deserves recognition, hence why Dupont has claimed top spot in the RugbyPass Top 100.

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Should Ford be ruled out then Smith will need to hold off his namesake Fin who has started the season in impressive fashion for Premiership champions Northampton. Borthwick is also sweating over the fitness of scrum-half Alex Mitchell who has no return-to-play date on his recovery from a neck injury. Prop Joe Marler and centre Henry Slade also have not played so far this season due to foot and shoulder injuries respectively. A versatile back, Barrett’s impressive boot, aerial skills, and positional awareness offer versatility to the All Blacks.

There is plenty for Contepomi to build on with this Los Pumas side. The latest edition of the Six Nations is rapidly approaching with the 2024 championship getting underway in the first weekend of February. From the relentless pursuit of victory to the sublime mastery of skills, these athletes have left an indelible mark on the rugby landscape. In the ever-evolving landscape of rugby excellence, distinguishing the crème de la crème is no small feat. As the echoes of thunderous scrums and dazzling tries reverberate across the globe, RUCK proudly presents its definitive list of the 20 Best Rugby Players in the World.

While this has, at times, counted against him starting, his world-class ability has made him a British and Irish Lion, as well as a staple in the Irish match day 23. His performance against the All Blacks in the 2019 World Cup semifinal is up there with the best individual showings of all time. Rugby in countries like the US has a long way to go to catch up in spending. The sport continues to gain popularity and may eventually land players on the list.

Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. Fans will disagree on who they believe would make the top 10, with all manner of factors to consider – with trophies, scoring ability and leadership skills all involved. Others are preparing to represent their countries at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris in the rugby sevens tournament.

As a goal-kicker, there are few more reliable than the versatile playmaker who will not only create tries. Aki possesses the rare skill of being able to generate tremendous power from a standing start, even against a defence as robust as South Africa’s. They will have to do so without the “talismanic figure” of Johnny Sexton, who has retired. Jack Crowley looks likely to take over as the new playmaker at No. 10 and experienced Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony is the new captain, reported Sky News. And with the key games against France and England being away from Dublin, back-to-back Grand Slams would be a “real achievement”, said the paper.

His significant size in the backrow opens up a whole world of possibilities at set piece for Los Pumas – in particular, his explosive power getting off the ground quickly for lineouts and kickoff receipts. Not since the great Joe Rokocoko has New Zealand Rugby had a winger who ties together immense physicality with guile to the level of Telea. Captain of two-time European Cup-winning Stade Rochelais, Alldritt is a key leader for the French national side. England’s lost soldier, and yet another Toulouse player, how Willis remains ineligible due to selection rules is one of the greatest travesties in rugby.

Emmanuel Meafou will be looking to make a statement at the 2024 Six Nations. Standing at 6 foot 8 and weighing 145 kg, this commanding lock is a firm favourite amongst Toulouse fans. At just 20 years old, Cunningham-South is already forging a fierce reputation. As well as regularly appearing for Harlequins in 2023, he crossed the line during England’s win against Scotland at the U20 Six Nations. He followed this by scoring a try during England’s semi-final against France at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

He’s beaten 12 defenders so far, level with Ben Earl (who some pundits have even suggested should be played at centre). Wing Monty Ioane, who appears to be an ever-present across a number of categories, such is his potency in attack, is third with 10. Some of the best rugby players in the world are in the https://becric.co.in/ thick of their 2024 summer international season following a long professional season that just ended. Dafydd Jenkins will make history in 2024 by becoming the second youngest player to captain the Wales rugby team. The 21-year-old earned his first cap in 2022, when he came off the bench against Georgia.

Crusaders have found an experienced playmaker to aid the development of their young players. Having just carried up-field a minuter before half-time, he got up, carried again, stepped, off-loaded and found Williams on his inside. Was also a menace at the breakdown, coming up momentum swinging steals in both halves, and made more tackles than any other Welshman. 6 – Alex Mann – 6.5Scored his Test second try after as many matches thanks to lovely supporting run for Williams after Tommy Reffell bust through a gap. Was too easily brushed off by Earl and perhaps needed a bit more grunt at times. 1 – Gareth Thomas  – 6Won a big scrum penalty after a stodgy sequence when the game was scoreless, allowing Wales to scratch out a foothold.

I actually always thought that was how I would see myself playing,” he said. Looking ahead to the November tour, Erasmus emphasised the need for adaptability. The Boks will face Scotland at Murrayfield on 10 November, followed by a clash with England at Twickenham, and a final Test against Wales. He highlighted the importance of adjusting their gameplan to suit the conditions. 9 – Tomos Williams – 6.5It was his frenetic spark that turned the game against Scotland last week.

Italian Rugby’s crown jewel, Capuozzo is the sprinkling of magic dust that takes the Azzurri backline to another level whenever he is fit and firing. Argentina’s captain is a no-nonsense, blue-collar worker who does the dirty work so his teammates can shine. He now plays with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan’s Rugby Union League. Russell signed for Bath in the English Premiership for $1 million in 2023.

He’s also Scotland’s co-captain for their national squad and is a fly-half. In January, the wealthy French club Racing 92 made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Russell had been making about $800,000 a year from Saracens, his home club since he was a teenager.