Fans' Rugby Player of the Year top 20 ranked as England and Ireland stars feature

Monday, 20 December 2021 at 17:40

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byRugby Rucker

The Fans' Rugby Player of the Year top 20 shortlist has been revealed, though it is of little surprise which talent come out on top.

With that being said, here is the top 20 players shortlisted for the Fans' Rugby Player of the Year award in full following over 15,000 entries.

#20. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
#19. Michael Hooper (Australia)
#18. Hamish Watson (Scotland)
#17. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
#16. Courtney Lawes (England)
#15. Romain Ntamack (France)
#14. Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)
#13. Lukhanyo Am (South Africa)
#12. Will Jordan (New Zealand)
#11. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
#10. Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
#9. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
#8. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
#7. Tom Curry (England)
#6. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

#5. Maro Itoje (England)

The brain and brawn inside England’s pack, Itoje has developed into arguably the best lock in world rugby. He is almost impossible to wriggle out of during a maul and can turn over balls in a flash. Still aged just 27, Itoje has plenty of international and domestic rugby ahead of him.

Maro Itoje of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK

#4. Finn Russell (Scotland)

#3. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

#2. Marcus Smith (England)

Marcus Smith of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#1. Antoine Dupont (France)

The 25-year-old’s reading of the game, allied with his passing speed and turn of pace, invariably mean he’s in the right place to start or finish off a flowing French attack. He crossed for three tries in the Six Nations and then was handed the captaincy for the Autumn Nations Series, leading France to three wins, including a first over New Zealand on home soil since 2000.