Itoje beats Dupont to be named the most valuable player in the world

The model used by the French based staticians takes into consideration a number of factors such as a player’s age, contract duration, performance, career progress and international status.

Two of the top six most valuable players right now are English — more than any other country.

A two-times world player of the year, in 2020 Barrett joined Blues after nine seasons associated with rival Super Rugby side Hurricanes. He has a contract until 2023 – the next World Cup will be staged in France – and the deal includes the option to play in Japan, where he will feature for Suntory Sungoliath in 2021. At 29, Barrett still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

A team-mate of Dupont at Toulouse, Cheslin Kolbe wasn’t able to show us his international credentials in 2020 due to coronavirus. But the South African can afford to take a year out from the Springboks stage and still be considered one of the best rugby players on the planet. Kolbe scored in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final victory over England and has been integral to the Springboks’ resurgence to the top of the international pile.

Never afraid to try his hand when the pressure is on, the mercurial 28-year-old has forged a reputation as a maverick who plays on his limits and it will be intriguing to see if British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland wants him leading his charge down in South Africa.

Dupont is capable of picking a lock like no other. He can glide through a space in the opposition line and exploit breaks all day. France already have an eye on their home Rugby World Cup in two years time and Dupont will be a focus point of that team.

The brain and brawn inside England’s pack, Maro Itoje has developed into arguably the best lock in world rugby. He is almost impossible to wriggle out of during a maul and can turn over balls in a flash. Still aged just 26, Itoje has plenty of international and domestic rugby ahead of him.