The best player from each team in the 2026 Six Nations

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From generational superstars to indispensable leaders, we assess the best player from each Six Nations team.

Selecting England’s standout player is no easy task given the depth of elite talent available, but only one figure feels genuinely irreplaceable. Maro Itoje’s influence goes far beyond individual brilliance; he is the heartbeat of the England side.

At international level, Itoje is the current England captain and the most recent captain of the British & Irish Lions. His leadership credentials are matched by a trophy-laden career. After signing his first professional contract with Saracens in 2012 and debuting a year later, he quickly established himself as one of the world’s premier forwards.

Since his England debut during the 2016 Six Nations, Itoje has won five Premiership titles and three European titles with Saracens, alongside a Grand Slam and Triple Crown with England.

Itoje has featured prominently in three British & Irish Lions tours and has been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year on three occasions. On 19 July 2025, he reached the milestone of 100 international Test caps, combining 93 appearances for England with seven for the Lions.

His game is defined by a rare blend of physical dominance, elite set-piece expertise, and intelligent, authoritative leadership. These qualities make him indispensable at the highest level.

While Scotland boast several world-class players, Finn Russell stands clearly above the rest. Operating at fly-half for Bath, Russell is the creative axis of the Scotland team and a frequent on-field leader.

Since making his international debut against the United States in 2014, Russell has earned over 80 Test caps. He has also represented the British & Irish Lions on three tours, New Zealand in 2017, South Africa in 2021, and Australia in 2025.

Widely regarded as one of Scotland’s greatest-ever players, Russell is often cited among the finest playmakers in world rugby. Gregor Townsend has described him as “one of the most skilful players to ever play the game." His flair, imagination, and audacity have earned him the nickname “the Messi of rugby.”

Ireland’s strength in depth makes identifying a single standout difficult, but Jamison Gibson-Park’s importance is impossible to overlook. The Leinster scrum-half is the engine of Ireland’s high-tempo attack.

Born in New Zealand, Gibson-Park qualified for Ireland through residency and received full Irish citizenship in December 2023, giving him dual nationality. Since establishing himself at international level, he has become one of the most reliable and effective scrum-halves in world rugby.

Renowned for his lightning-fast pass, exceptional game awareness, and composure under pressure, Gibson-Park controls the tempo of matches with remarkable precision. His consistency and low error rate make him a vital component for both Leinster and Ireland, and a player around whom modern Irish rugby is built.

Jac Morgan has rapidly emerged as Wales’ talismanic figure and defensive leader. His relentless work rate and physicality have made him one of the most effective openside flankers in the game.

In May 2025, Morgan was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, featuring off the bench in the second and third Tests. He scored a try in the final Test and played a decisive role in the series by executing a crucial clear-out in the build-up to the Lions’ series-winning try in the second Test.

Morgan’s game is built on tireless defensive output, breakdown excellence, and natural leadership. He consistently posts high tackle counts and wins key turnovers, setting the tone for his team. However, Wales will be without their captain at the start of the 2026 Six Nations after Morgan dislocated his shoulder during the autumn series opener against Argentina.

For France, the choice is obvious. Antoine Dupont is widely regarded as the best player in the world.

Dupont has amassed 39 individual accolades, including World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in 2021 and World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in 2024. He is the first and only player to win both awards. He has also claimed a record-equalling three Six Nations Player of the Championship awards, the most by any French player.

His team honours are equally staggering. Dupont has won 11 major competitions, including five Top 14 titles, two European Rugby Champions Cups, two Six Nations titles including one Grand Slam, the 2023–24 SVNS series, and Olympic gold in men’s rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Games.

A generational talent, Dupont combines explosive athleticism, tactical intelligence, and unmatched versatility, redefining what is possible in modern rugby.

Like Wales, Italy will be without their standout star. Ange Capuozzo has been a transformative figure for the Azzurri since bursting onto the international stage.

Born and raised in France, Capuozzo qualified for Italy through his paternal grandparents. After beginning his professional career at Grenoble, he joined Toulouse in 2022. He represented Italy at Under-20 and ‘A’ level before making his senior debut against Scotland during the 2022 Six Nations.

Capuozzo is known for his exceptional speed, agility, and evasiveness, excelling as both a full-back and wing. Despite his smaller stature, he is devastating in broken-field play and a prolific try-scorer. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old has been sidelined after suffering a fractured finger in Toulouse’s Top 14 victory over La Rochelle in late December, ruling him out of Italy’s Six Nations squad.