The top 10 fullbacks in the world (Ranked 10-1)

From launching attacks as a secondary playmaker to finishing moves like a winger and organising the last line of defence, the position requires exceptional versatility.

Here, we look at the best fullbacks in world rugby and celebrates the players redefining its importance today in today's game.

Few fullbacks in world rugby accelerate like Fassi when space opens up. His game is built on instinct, often launching counter attacks from deep with a sharp step that makes him difficult to pin down.

That natural attacking flair was evident from the very start of his Test career. Debuting against Georgia in July 2021, he marked the occasion with a try, immediately underlining his threat.

His early rise continued through that season, adding another score in the Rugby Championship and earning South Africa’s Young Player of the Year award.

More recently, being part of the 2025 Rugby Championship winning squad reflects steady progression into a more complete player.

A chaotic game often suits Niniashvili better than a structured one. The Georgian thrives when play breaks down, using raw pace and power to exploit fractured defences.

His rise began in France with Lyon, where he debuted in the Top 14 in September 2021 and quickly became central to their Challenge Cup triumph, the club’s first European title.

That form translated to the international stage. At the 2023 Rugby World Cup he started every match for Georgia, including a standout performance against Wales where he crossed for a try.

A move to La Rochelle in 2025 signalled the next step in his development.

Reliability defines Keenan’s game. Rarely out of position and consistently composed, he has become the backbone of Ireland’s backfield.

Since scoring twice on debut against Italy in 2020, he has evolved into a player trusted in every phase, whether fielding high balls or appearing on perfectly timed support lines.

His influence has only grown in recent seasons. At the 2023 Rugby World Cup he started every match, underlining his importance.

Then came the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour, where he delivered one of the defining moments. Starting the opening Tests against Australia, he scored the decisive late try in the second Test to seal the series.

Everything about Capuozzo’s game is built on unpredictability. Small in stature but electric in movement, he combines rapid acceleration with footwork that can dismantle defensive lines in seconds.

His breakthrough moment came in the 2022 Six Nations, when a late break against Wales set up Italy’s famous last minute victory, ending a long losing streak in the competition.

That was only the beginning. Later that year he scored twice as Italy beat Australia for the first time in their history, earning global recognition and the World Rugby Breakthrough Player award. At club level, his move to Toulouse in 2022 has sharpened his attacking instincts further.

Few careers at fullback have swung as dramatically as Wright’s. He announced himself with a try from his first touch on debut in 2020, yet inconsistency and selection setbacks followed, including missing out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad entirely.

The response since has been emphatic. Recalled in 2024, he quickly re established himself as Australia’s first choice fullback, producing a hat trick against Wales and becoming a central figure in their attacking structure.

His performances during the 2025 series against the British and Irish Lions reinforced that growth, highlighted by a decisive try in the second Test.

At nearly every level, Kinghorn has combined size with surprising finesse. Standing out for his physical presence, he adds a long kicking game and versatility that allows him to slot in across the backline.

His ability to influence matches has been evident in bursts, including multiple hat tricks against Italy in Six Nations campaigns.

More recently, his role in the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour illustrated his value in high pressure environments.

Coming off the bench in the second Test against Australia, he helped swing momentum as the Lions secured the series. That impact followed his club success with Toulouse, arriving late after a Top 14 final victory.

Versatility is central to Mallía’s value. Comfortable anywhere from fly-half to fullback, he reads the game with a clarity that allows him to influence both attack and defence.

His defining club moment came in the 2021 European Champions Cup final, where he scored Toulouse’s only try to secure the title, later adding another in 2024.

Internationally, he has long been a dependable presence for Argentina, including a standout display at the 2019 Rugby World Cup against the United States.

However, more recent events have disrupted his momentum. A serious injury sustained during the 2025 Nations Series has kept him sidelined since.

Big moments tend to find Willemse, and more often than not he delivers. Equally comfortable stepping in at fly-half or operating from fullback, his all round skill set makes him a tactical weapon.

That composure was evident in 2022 when he kicked a last minute penalty to beat Wales, before later controlling a Test against England with two drop goals.

His influence has only grown since the 2023 Rugby World Cup triumph, where he played a key role in South Africa’s success. In 2025 he produced one of the standout individual displays of the year, scoring in a commanding win over New Zealand in Wellington and earning top ratings across the board.

There is a simplicity to Jordan’s brilliance. He appears where others do not, finishing movements with an efficiency that has made him one of the most prolific try scorers in international rugby.

Since breaking through with the Crusaders and debuting for New Zealand in 2020, his strike rate has remained exceptional.

In recent seasons he has increasingly been recognised as one of the world’s premier fullbacks, not just a finisher but a complete attacking presence. His positioning in support play consistently puts him in scoring situations, while his acceleration allows him to glide past defenders in open space.

Clutch moments have become a defining theme of Ramos’ career. In 2025 alone he delivered twice under immense pressure, first with a last play penalty to win a Champions Cup quarter final, then with decisive kicks in extra time to secure the Top 14 title.

That composure translates seamlessly to the international stage.

Across recent Six Nations campaigns he has dominated the scoring charts, finishing as top points scorer for four consecutive years through to 2026.

In that same 2026 tournament he surpassed Frédéric Michalak as France’s all time leading points scorer, while also passing the 500 point mark earlier in the competition.