Maro Itoje is the most popular football player in the United Kingdom, beating the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Stuart Hogg and Owen Farrell to the top spot.
YouGov spoke with over 7,000 people as part of a study, listing the names of players and asking the public whether they thought positively, negatively or neutrally about them.
And England second-row came on top – with 24% of people having a positive opinion of the Saracens star.
England captain Owen Farrell and Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones are joint second on 23%, with powerhouse centre Tuilagi occupying third on 39%.
Compared to January 2021, the player who has registered the biggest increase in fan following, from 7% to 11%, is Scotland’s Finn Russell. Russell has been in outstanding form for his Parisian club – Racing 92 – in the European Champions Cup.
Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw is up two percentage points, with 4% of British rugby fans picking him as one of their favourites compared to 2% last year.
Top 10 Most Popular Rugby Players In The UK
- 1. Maro Itoje – 24%
- 2. Owen Farrell – 23%
- 3. Alun Wyn Jones – 23%
- 4. Manu Tuilagi – 21%
- 5. Dan Biggar – 20%
- 6. Stuart Hogg – 19%
- 7. Tom Curry – 17%
- 8. Emily Scarratt – 16%
- 9. Billy Vunipola – 16%
- 10. Johnny Sexton – 14%
Editors picks:
- Joe Launchbury finally confirms new club after leaving Wasps
- Watch as Joe Marler scores a drop-goal and a terrific try
- Saracens complete the signing of London Irish speedster
- Mike Tindall takes on first Bush Tucker Trial, absolutely smashes it
- England winger Jack Nowell destroys ‘bitter fan’ on Instagram
The 50 Greatest British Rugby Players Of All-Time Have Been Ranked By Fans
#50. Mike Tindall (England)
#49. Scott Quinnell (Wales)
#48. Matt Dawson (England)
#47. Will Carling (England)
#46. Scott Hastings (Scotland)
#45. Jonny May (England)
#44. Finlay Calder (Scotland)
#43. Maro Itoje (England)
#42. Rob Howley (Wales)
#41. Adam Jones (Wales)