Ben Earl and George Ford Named Among the World’s Top 10 Rugby Players for 2026

It also reflects rugby’s contradictions, including the remarkable omission of one global star from his nation’s Six Nations squad.

Ben Earl represents the modern back-rower at its purest. He brings relentless energy, explosive power and a skill set that allows him to influence every phase. Comfortable across the back row, his pace and physicality make him a constant threat, whether carrying in traffic or attacking space out wide.

At Saracens, Earl has grown into the heartbeat of the side. His work rate sets the benchmark, his effectiveness at the breakdown swings momentum, and his ball-carrying consistently dents the gainline against Europe’s elite defences. Blending the edge of a traditional flanker with the athleticism of a modern No 8, he combines those traits as well as anyone in the game.

That impact has carried smoothly onto the international stage. During the autumn, Earl was among England’s standout performers, repeatedly setting the tempo with his intensity and dynamism. In matches that demanded both control and physical edge, he delivered, underlining his value to Steve Borthwick and confirming his status as one of the game’s most complete back-rowers.

Cheslin Kolbe continues to divide opinion, yet he continues to deliver when it matters most. While questions are sometimes raised about his club form in Japan, his international record speaks for itself.

A double World Cup winner, Kolbe has scored in finals, tormented the British and Irish Lions, and produced countless moments of magic in green and gold. Give him space or put him under pressure, it makes little difference. When the stakes rise, Kolbe almost always rises with them.

Few players interpret the game like Finn Russell. Over the summer, Scotland’s talisman was the creative heartbeat of the Lions, pulling the strings and injecting ambition into their most dangerous attacking moments. Once labelled a pure maverick, Russell has evolved into a player who still thrives on invention while now controlling matches with authority.

Whether directing Bath or steering Scotland through tight Test contests, he possesses a rare ability to shift momentum with a single decision. At his best, Russell is not just a fly-half, he is a conductor who shapes the rhythm and story of a match.

One of the most intelligent rugby players of his generation, George Ford remains the benchmark for control, game management, and tactical authority at fly-half. His kicking game, calm decision-making under pressure, and ability to dictate tempo make him invaluable at the highest level.

Whether steering England through tight Test matches or pulling the strings at club level, Ford’s influence extends far beyond highlight moments — he wins games with precision, not chaos. In 2026, his experience and rugby IQ continue to set him apart among the world’s elite.

Fresh from being crowned World Rugby Player of the Year, Malcolm Marx has redefined the hooker role. Tireless, explosive and ever-present, he has set the global standard for his position.

Marx became only the second hooker, after Keith Wood, to win the men’s 15s Player of the Year award, and the first to do so since 2001. Starting 11 of South Africa’s 14 Tests this season and scoring five tries, he was central to a campaign in which the Springboks retained the Rugby Championship and lost only twice all year.

Pieter-Steph du Toit does not seek headlines, he earns them through effort and resolve. His 28-tackle display in the 2023 World Cup final stands as one of the great individual performances in the sport.

Now a two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, du Toit continues to set the standard at 33. Intelligent, relentless and fiercely competitive, he embodies the qualities that have made South Africa so difficult to overcome. His legacy is already secure, built on sacrifice, consistency and excellence at the highest level. It is unfortunate that he has not been available regularly at club level of late.

Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.

Ardie Savea’s move to Moana Pasifika carried enormous symbolic weight, and he matched it with world-class performances. His presence elevated the entire squad, inspiring landmark victories and earning him the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year award before the season’s conclusion.

Explosive, tireless and a natural leader, Savea remains indispensable to the All Blacks. Others may have edged ahead this year, but his influence and quality are beyond question.

At just 22, Louis Bielle-Biarrey is reshaping expectations for a winger. Bordeaux’s all-time leading try scorer and the holder of the record for most tries in a single Six Nations, he is producing numbers usually associated with far more experienced players.

His rise has been rapid, from a hat-trick on his Champions Cup debut at 18 to leading Bordeaux to their first European title and claiming Six Nations Player of the Tournament honours. With blistering pace, fearless instincts and remarkable maturity, he has shone as France’s brightest light even during a difficult autumn. A World Player of the Year nomination felt inevitable.

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The fly-half has taken a major step forward in 2025, establishing himself as one of the game’s most influential playmakers. For the Stormers, he was the driving force behind their season, controlling matches with authority and imagination. His management of tempo, accuracy from the tee and ability to unlock defences earned him South Africa’s URC Player of the Season award.

That form translated seamlessly to Test rugby. During the Rugby Championship, Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivered a defining performance against Argentina, scoring a Springbok-record 37 points in a single Test, including a hat-trick of tries. It was the clearest sign yet that he not only belongs at the top level, but can dominate it.

Across the year, he has displayed a rare blend of composure and ambition. Trusted with responsibility, he has repaid it by shaping games for club and country. In 2025, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has not simply arrived, he has established himself as a central figure in the Springboks’ present and future.

Even after losing months to an ACL injury, Antoine Dupont remains the benchmark in world rugby. His list of achievements is unmatched, including World Rugby Player of the Year awards in 15s in 2021 and Sevens in 2024, three Six Nations Player of the Tournament honours, Olympic gold, and multiple domestic and European titles.

He is the only player to have won both of rugby’s major global individual awards, a reflection of his unique versatility and dominance across formats. Five Top 14 titles, two European Cups and an outstanding sevens career underline his complete command of the sport.

His return in late November, after eight months out, was immediate and emphatic. Dupont guided Toulouse to a 48–24 bonus-point victory over Racing 92, extending their lead at the top of the Top 14 and reminding everyone that when he plays, the game feels sharper, faster and richer.