2017 was a great year for a host of rugby players.
Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell consolidated themselves as two of the best (if not the best) in the world, while George Ford and Jonny May have gained an entirely new lease of life since joining Leicester Tigers.
It wasn’t a banner year for everyone, however, with rugby calendar being such a long year that goes without saying.
Therefore, some fantastically talented performers ending the year in a far worse position than how they started it.
For some injury was to blame while others were let down by poor performances and bad discipline.
1. Marland Yarde
After a turbulent year, the winger was dropped by club and country in November before heading north to Join Sale Sharks with immediate effect. Yarde is now trying to get his career back on track but it’s fair to say 2017 has been a step backwards for the 25-year-old.
2. WP Nel
The time last year the Scotland tighthead was favourite to scrum down for the British & Irish Lions, however, his 2017 has been marred by injury. The 31-year-old missed the 2016 Autumn Internationals and the entire 2017 Six Nations due to a neck injury. The prop is now set to miss the entire 2017 with a fractured arm, meaning his place in future squads could be under threat.