"Snubbed" - Five players unlucky to miss out on selection for the World Rugby Dream Team

But with so much world-class talent on display, several big names still missed the cut. Here are five players who can count themselves incredibly unlucky to be left out.

Hardly anyone will question Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu making the cut, but it’s equally hard not to feel for Finn Russell. He’s done just about everything possible to earn a place in this team.

After steering the British & Irish Lions to a series win over Australia and continuing to carry Scotland on his shoulders, being left out will sting. This feels less like a snub and more like a case of a world-class player missing out simply because someone else edged him by the smallest margin.

Ardie Savea has been nothing short of phenomenal in 2025. He remains the gold standard for modern No. 8s and the heartbeat of the All Blacks. He’s delivered in the big moments and made a compelling case for selection.

Tom Curry getting the nod at openside is surprising given he didn’t start for England this autumn—whether that was tactical or form-related only strengthens Savea’s argument. It’s hard to shake the feeling that he should be in this Dream Team.

Barrett’s injury against Ireland early in the autumn may have hurt his chances more than anything else, with a bit of recency bias likely creeping in. Still, he has every reason to feel unlucky.

Len Ikitau has been solid for the Wallabies, but there’s a strong argument that Barrett’s performances for the All Blacks have been even more impressive, especially given the constant weight of expectation that comes with the black jersey.

Cam Roigard fully deserves praise for claiming the starting scrum-half spot, but leaving out Jamison Gibson-Park will raise eyebrows. He led the Lions superbly and has been central to an Ireland side that pushed the Six Nations to its final weekend, losing just once.

This one is genuinely debatable, which is exactly why Gibson-Park will feel unfortunate to miss out.

Because this Dream Team focuses solely on international form, it can overlook players—especially in France—who have been sensational for their clubs. Damian Penaud is the perfect example. He shattered the single-season Champions Cup try-scoring record, overtaking Chris Ashton, and still wasn’t slowed by a knee injury in the semi-finals.

He returned for the final, scored twice, and helped Bordeaux win their first-ever trophy. His season tally of 14 tries set a new benchmark, earning him Champions Cup Player of the Year for 2025. Even if France didn’t shine as brightly on the Test stage, Penaud’s individual brilliance is impossible to ignore.