10 rugby stars who can no longer be considered world-class

At RUCK, we believe the label should be reserved for players who are genuinely among the very best in the world in their position — not simply those with a big reputation or an impressive highlights reel.

Every player on this list has, at some stage, deserved that status. Some have won World Cups, others have starred for the British & Irish Lions, while several were once almost automatic selections in a World XV.

But rugby moves quickly.

To be clear, most of these players remain very good — some are still outstanding on their day. This is not a list of players who are finished, washed up or no longer capable of performing at Test level.

It is simply about the very top table.

Based on their current level, can they still honestly be described as one of the very best players in the world in their position?

For these 10 superstars, we’re no longer convinced.

At his peak, Curry was one of the most feared flankers in world rugby.

The Sale Sharks and England star was relentless over the ball, brutal in defence and mature far beyond his years, becoming a British & Irish Lion and one of England’s most important players.

He remains a very good international forward, and this is certainly not a claim that he is finished.

But injuries, time out of the side and the rise of other elite back-rowers mean Curry has slipped from the very top table.

Still excellent? Absolutely.

Still world-class? That is now a much tougher argument.

Underhill produced one of the great England performances against New Zealand in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final.

At his best, the flanker was a brutal defender capable of completely changing the momentum of a match.

His partnership with Curry became the foundation of England’s run to the World Cup final, with the pair briefly considered among the finest back-row combinations in the game.

Underhill remains an excellent player who can still produce huge performances.

However, injuries have taken their toll and he is no longer the terrifying force who once looked capable of dominating any back-row battle.

Very good? Without question.

Among the best flankers in the world right now? Probably not.

For several years, Fickou had a genuine claim to being the most complete centre in world rugby.

Powerful, intelligent and exceptional defensively, the Frenchman was a central figure in his country’s return to the top table.

His defensive leadership was particularly important, while his ability to cover both midfield positions made him invaluable.

Now deep into his international career, his influence has inevitably declined.

Fickou remains a classy and hugely experienced operator, but the gap between his reputation and his current standing among the world’s best centres has grown.

Still very good. No longer world-class.

A two-time Rugby World Cup winner and one of the most physical hookers of his generation.

Mbonambi was once an automatic contender whenever the best front-rowers in the world were discussed.

His aggression, set-piece work and ability to impose himself on major matches made him a key part of South Africa’s dominance.

He remains an important player and an intimidating opponent.

However, age and injuries have begun to catch up with him, while a new generation of elite hookers has emerged.

Mbonambi is still capable of operating at the highest level, but is he still among the very best number twos in the world?

We’re not convinced.

Ford has been one of England’s most intelligent and influential players for more than a decade.

At his peak, his game management, tactical kicking and ability to control matches made him one of the finest fly-halves in Test rugby.

Few players can read a game better.

He can still take control of a match and remains a very good international number 10, but world-class is a different standard.

It is increasingly difficult to argue that Ford belongs in the same bracket as the very best fly-halves on the planet.

Still a top player. Just no longer at the very top table.

At his peak, Lukhanyo Am was arguably the best outside centre in world rugby.

The Springbok star was a defensive mastermind, a superb distributor and one of the most intelligent players in the game.

His role in South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph was enormous, while his performances for club and country saw him become an almost automatic selection in any World XV.

Am remains a very good player and, on his day, can still produce moments that few centres are capable of.

But injuries and the emergence of other elite midfielders have seen him slip from the very top table.

The quality is still there.

This one will divide opinion.

Pollard remains one of the greatest big-game players in rugby history and has repeatedly delivered when South Africa have needed him most.

His performances in the biggest moments have helped the Springboks win two World Cups, and there are few players you would rather have lining up a match-winning kick.

But world-class status should be based on more than reputation and clutch moments.

On a week-to-week basis, is Pollard still genuinely one of the best fly-halves in the world?

He remains a superb Test player and an incredible competitor.

We’re just no longer convinced he sits at the very top table.

At his peak, Barrett was almost untouchable.

The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year had devastating pace, outrageous skill and the ability to change a Test match in seconds.

For a period, he was arguably the most dangerous rugby player on the planet.

He remains an All Blacks great and can still produce moments of brilliance that very few players are capable of.

But that is the point.

Those moments are no longer happening with the same regularity, and the current version of Barrett is not the unstoppable superstar who once terrified defences.

Still brilliant on his day. No longer consistently world-class.

Kolisi’s place in rugby history is secure.

A two-time World Cup-winning captain, inspirational leader and one of the most important figures the sport has ever produced.

None of that is up for debate.

He also remains a very good international flanker who can produce enormous performances when it matters most.

But this list is based purely on current individual performance.

Remove the captaincy, leadership and incredible legacy from the equation and ask one simple question: is Kolisi still one of the very best flankers in world rugby?

We don’t think he is.

That does not diminish his greatness. It simply means he has slipped from the very top table.

There was a time when Furlong was the undisputed best tighthead prop in world rugby.

The Ireland and British & Irish Lions star combined destructive scrummaging with remarkable handling skills and mobility around the pitch.

For years, he was an automatic selection in almost every World XV.

But those days are gone.

Furlong remains a hugely respected international prop and is still capable of producing excellent performances at the highest level.

This is not a suggestion that he has suddenly become a poor player.

However, his reputation now exceeds his current performances, with several tightheads operating at a higher level.

The former world’s best remains very good.

But can he still realistically be described as world-class?

For us, the answer is no.