10. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
Mo’unga’s versatility in the 10 jersey set him apart as a creative ball carrier, distributor, and tactical kicker. He led in break passes, gained the most meters, and beat more defenders than any other fly-half in the tournament.
Close: Matthieu Jalibert (France).
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
Despite injury concerns, Dupont showcased his prowess on the field. Limited to just 200 minutes of action, he still topped the charts for offloads and created the most breaks of any scrum-half.
Close: Aaron Smith (NZ), Alex Mitchell (England).
8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Savea emerged as a relentless force, ranking in the top 10 in both attack and defense categories of the Opta Index. His contributions included beating defenders, carrying the ball, and direct involvement in more tries than any other forward.
Close: Caelan Doris (Ireland), Ben Earl (England).
7. Nicolas Martins (Portugal)
Martins emerged as the breakthrough player of the tournament, boasting a gainline success rate second only to forwards with 20+ carries. His performances, including line-out steals and high tackle rates, underpinned Portugal’s impressive campaign.
Close: Jac Morgan (Wales), Charles Ollivon (France).
6. Courtney Lawes (England)
In his swansong, Lawes played a pivotal role in leading England to a third-place finish. His hard carries, strong tackles, and proficiency at the breakdown and line-out showcased his versatility.
Close: Michael Leitch (Japan), Shannon Frizell (New Zealand).
