The 5 best rugby players in the world 2021 have been named...

Who are the best rugby players in the world right now? A question that can never be properly answered, will barely even come close to leading to an agreement, but one that continues to fill pub chat and rugby terraces (well, group chats and Zoom calls for now).

The Wales Online rugby experts have got together to come up with the finest 50 players on the planet right now.

A new generation of younger superstars are clawing their way into the spotlight, but the old guard aren’t done yet.

THEY SAID: "The All Black scrum-half will consider himself unfortunate to have missed out on World Rugby's team of the decade recently. Regardless, his form in 2020 has been stellar."

VERDICT: A terrific operator, but he probably wouldn't be so high on our list

THEY SAID: "The biggest compliment you can pay Itoje is there are few bigger thorns to deal with. He has the intelligence and athleticism to spoil any form of ball your team might have - be it in the lineout, the breakdown or open phase play."

VERDICT: Definitely one of the best rugby players in the world 2021

THEY SAID: "Probably hindered by the fact that the Springboks haven't played any Tests this year. If they had, Kolbe would perhaps have been even higher, given his remarkable ability to step anyone on a sixpence."

VERDICT: Unplayable on his day. One of the best around.

THEY SAID: "The French scrum-half is just sheer quality, perhaps the finest proponent of a pre-emptive supporting line in Test rugby at the moment. If you switch off in defence for even a second, you can expect to see Dupont running off a shoulder to score."

VERDICT: Spot on. A world-class playmaker.

THEY SAID: "He can go the direct route, bashing his way through in the centre, or he can take the scenic outside route, putting on the afterburners to arc around the opposition before delivering the decisive pass or offload. The best player in the world right at this moment in time."

VERDICT: A game-changer.