Fans pick the 3 best (and 3 worst) rugby players in 2021

RUCK ranks the performances of the best performers and most underwhelming players throughout the last 12 months..

Following an outstanding British and Irish Lions series for Itoje on a personal level, the second-row was once again one of England’s stars in the end-of-year campaign.

The 28-year-old has played 59 Tests for New Zealand and became only the 70^th player to lead the renowned black and white jersey of the All Blacks when he was handed the captaincy in August this year during The Rugby Championship.

The France scrum-half has topped Rugby World’s 2021 list after a standout year. He has helped Toulouse complete a European Champions Cup and Top 14 double as well as captained France during a successful autumn series, which included beating the All Blacks on home soil for the first time since 2009.

Twelve months ago the powerhouse centre was dubbed 'the next Manu Tuilagi' and was being thrust into the England midfielder for the 2021 Six Nations. He proved to be just as effective as using folk to eat soup as Eddie Jones' men levelled a record low fifth-place finish. The England boss later labelled him as 'not hungry' in a damning section of his new book. So, yeah, 2021 could have gone better.

To England fans: Marcus Smith is the shiny new Buzz Lightyear while Farrell is the Woody discarded under the bed. A dismal Six Nations followed by a forgettable Lions tour has made it a hideous 12 months for a player who was ranked as the best number 10 in the world 12 months ago. This year couldn't have gone much worse for the 29-year-old.

Every year of the wingers career has been packed full of ups and downs, but 2021 proved to be be more downhill than a bobsled course. He's currently rotting in the Worcester reserves calling his old teams begging for them to take him back. I'm sorry Ash, but I think you're done.