Next up, we have three scrum-halves and a few Welshman enter the fray. Other picks include a Lions winger and two All Blacks.
Previous days...
80. Ben Te'o - England, Lions & Worcester
Position: Centre Age: 30
Ben Te’o went on his first British & Irish Lions Tour in 2017 and proved himself to be a real ace up Warren Gatland’s sleeve during the ten games in New Zealand, appearing in two of the Tests. Entering the trip with eight Test match caps for England and one international start, the Worcester Warriors centre belied those numbers with the maturity of his performances from the word go. Injury has blighted Teo's year since the tour, which is why is probably not further up this list.
79. Ken Owens - Wales & Scarlets
Position: Hooker Age: 30
The honour of being a Lions captain is bestowed on few players but hooker Ken Owens can count himself amongst that elite company after the Lions Tour to New Zealand in 2017. He also led Scarlets to the Guinness Pro 12 title and established himself as Wales first-choice hooker. He also won his 50th cap this year.
78. Leigh Halfpenny - Wales, Lions & Scarlets
Position: Fullback Age: 29
Putting the longest transfer saga in rugby history aside, 2017 was hardly a year to remember for Leigh Halfpenny by his high standards. A stop, start Lions tour saw him nudged out of the test team by fellow countryman Liam Williams. However, he looked a lot closer to his best in the Autumn with a number of good displays. Wales will need him back to his best if they are to have a chance of winning the 2018 Six Nations.
77. Anton Lienert-Brown
Position: Centre Age: 22
Called into the All Blacks squad for the 2016 Investec Rugby Championship as an injury replacement for Sonny Bill Williams, dynamic mid-fielder Anton Lienert Brown has been rewarded for his consistent form for the Chiefs with a regular place in the national set-up. He played for the All Blacks 13 times this year, which includes all three Tests against the British & Irish Lions.
76. Danny Care - England & Harlequins
Position: Scrum-half Age: 30
Industrious and inventive, the 30-year-old keeps England and Harlequins' attack ticking, feeding the backs with incisive passes or with wonderfully weighted kicks over the top. He played an influential role in Eddie Jones men retaining the Six Nations before starting both Tests in their 2-0 series win against Argentina. An exciting player to watch.
75. Keith Earls - Ireland & Munster
Position: Winger Age: 30
Despite missing out on the British & Irish Lions tour, the winger was in good form for club and country in 2017. Scoring seven tries in eight Tests this year, which included a man-of-the-match performance against the USA, Keith Earls has cemented himself in Joe Schmidt's Ireland side ahead of the 2018 Six Nations. Meanwhile, for Munster, his two tries as they overcame local rivals in October stands out as fantastic display.
74. Jerome Kaino - New Zealand & Blues
Position: Flanker Age: 34
He has been one of the most devastating loose forwards in world rugby, with his tenacious defence and slick ball handling skills earning him 81 Test caps in an All Blacks jersey. After an injury-troubled 2016 and a stop and start 2017, it feels like the legend is past the peak of his powers now, however, he is still a consistently quality performer.
73. Robbie Henshaw - Ireland & Leinster
Position: Centre Age: 24
Robbie Henshaw’s Tour of New Zealand with The British & Irish Lions was cut short by a shoulder injury, but prior to that point, he had already impressed in his four starts in the famous red jersey. He crossed for the decisive final try in Chicago in the autumn of 2016 as Ireland claimed a first-ever win over New Zealand. Still only 24, the centre has the ability to become one of the worlds best.
72. TJ Penerara - New Zealand & Hurricanes
Position: Scrum-half Age: 25
A livewire halfback and extraordinary scavenger of the ball, TJ Perenara is a player packed full of potential, with a powerful pass. Still playing second fiddle to Aaron Smith probably prevents the playmaker from being further up the list.
71. Tommy Seymour - Scotland, Lions & Glasgow
Position: Winger Age: 29
Tommy Seymour was the British & Irish Lions’ leading try scorer with three scores in New Zealand as he enjoyed a highly successful first Tour under head coach Warren Gatland. Although the winger did not break into the Test side on his first Tour, he can rightly be proud of his achievements. Meanwhile, Seymour also had a successful year with Scotland, scoring tries against Georgia and Wales. He also helped Glasgow to their first ever Champions Cup quarter-final.
