’s Aug-20 issue.
The latest issue of Rugby World magazine does exactly what it says on the cover: reveals the 50 Most Influential People in Rugby in 2020.
The list includes one suprise name in Squidge Rugby, who has taken Youtube by storm in the last 12 months.
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10. Katie Sadleir
9. Dr Eanna Falvey
8. Eddie Jones
7. Claude Atcher
6. Rassie Erasmus
5. Nick Clarry
Here, RUCK.co.uk looks runs down the top four most influential people.
4. Warren Gatland
The former Waikato Rugby Union head coach and Chiefs Rugby Club technical advisor has returned to New Zealand to take up the head coaching role for the Gallagher Chiefs after been at the helm of the Welsh national side since 2008. Gatland has been instrumental to the success of the Welsh national side during his tenure with an impressive record of four Six Nations Titles, including three grand slams, the most recent in 2019.
His ongoing success with Wales led to his appointment as head coach of the British & Irish Lions 2017 tour of New Zealand, where they drew the Series against the All Blacks. Recently Gatland was announced as head coach for his third tour with the side in 2021 to South Africa.
3. Maro Itoje
The four-time Premiership winner and three-time European champion’s international CV also makes for impressive reading. ‘The Pearl’ guided England U20 to their second-ever World Rugby Championship title before gaining a full cap in the 2016 Six Nations where Eddie Jones’ side were crowned Grand Slam champions.
He followed up with three Test starts on England’s victorious summer tour of Australia and another Six Nations gong before becoming a British & Irish Lion in 2017.
Itoje was named European Player of the Year and Land Rover Discovery of the Season in 2016 as well as man of the match in Saracens’ maiden European Cup success.
2. Bernard Laporte
Laporte was named World Rugby's vice-chairperson in May and has also overseen the introduction of the third-tier semi-professional La Nationale league as FFR boss in June.
1. Siya Kolisi
The South Africa captain guided his country to World Cup glory last November and has since been working tirelessly with his foundation to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another world champion Springboks skipper, John Smit, said that Kolisi – South Africa’s first black captain – lifting the Webb Ellis Cup would “change people’s lives” and “change the trajectory of our country”.
