Who is in the top 80 today?
With less than two weeks until the Rugby World Cup, Telegraph Sport's rugby experts have come together to rank the world's top 100 players.
The series started with players 100-81 and here are the players. 80-61. Check back here every day this week to see the rest of the list and see who is number one.
80. Jack Conan (Ireland)
Andy Farrell, head coach of Ireland, can't help choosing an effective back-court trio at the moment, and Conan, totem for Leinster and starter for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa two years ago, had a great 2022 . 23 season. Although the 30-year-old is most efficient when accelerating on 15m channels, he is a versatile operator.
79. Danilo Fischetti (Italy)
The most mobile loafer in the world – there is no doubt about it. Weakness in the fight does not allow him to take a higher place in this list, but his mode of action is typical of the current Italian generation: adventurous, skillful and very interesting.
78. Ange Capuozzo (Italy)
Entering the stage for Italy last year in spectacular style, coming through the youth system at Grenoble as a scrum-half, Capuozzo is already one of Italy's most influential figures, given how his well-balanced run from full-back makes the game fluid. phase game. No one could forget the slalom counterattack that helped Edoardo Padovani in Cardiff and he was poised for an equally impressive performance in the Six Nations in 2023 before an injury marred his tournament and the end of his campaign for Toulouse.
Ange Capuozzo made himself known to the world with his slalom counterattack and helped Edoardo Padovani in Italy's victory over Wales in Cardiff last year. Photo: Getty Images/Alex Livesey. 77. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
Fourth Rugby World Cup for the great locator (terrible, his debut seems to have happened yesterday) who has already won two World Cups and would like to be the first player to lift three. The pressure in his place at age 34 from Scott Barrett is not bad, but the ongoing Achilles problem is a little more worrisome. France is expected to conduct the 150th test, and this experience is invaluable.
76. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)
It's rare these days when a fairly established national team player suddenly becomes one of the most accurate goalkeepers in the world. Argentina have a real weapon – Boffelli's off-court accuracy, as we saw on his 20 points in Argentina's first-ever victory in New Zealand last year, followed by another 20 (plus a try) for the first victory over Twickenham since 2006 . He's a match winner, clean and simple, and that's going to make all the difference in France.
Emiliano Boffelli is the right candidate. the winner of the Argentina and England teams, and the rest better be on the lookout – the 100 best rugby players in the world, part two: 80-61 Photo: AFP/Pablo Gasparini 75. Darcy Graham (Scotland)
This list features a few relatively diminutive people who thrive in the land of the giants. The rushing and skillful Graham is one of the most interesting. The gifts derived from his possession of the sevens, in particular the devastating protection from breakouts and comfort in possession of the ball in open space, are obvious. Although last season was marred by a knee injury, his best years are yet to come.
74. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
One of two Welsh inclusions, a sad state of affairs for a great nation in dire need of leadership from top to bottom. At the same time, Rees-Zammit is a talent, the only one in a generation. His speed is staggering and if Wales manages to give him some space this fall, there won't be many of them. He is vital to their cause.
73. Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)
If it were the top 100 best players on a 'shine blast' basis, McKenzie would probably be in the top 5, but inclusion on this list is a fair reward for a great year he led the Chiefs to the Super Rugby Pacific. . the final. McKenzie himself admitted that he had deviated from the script in the past, which could have hindered him in many test starts. But what an amazing talent.
There is no doubt that Damian McKenzie is an amazing talent. Photo: Action Images/Andrew Boyers 72. Ellis Genge (England)
Previously, the question focused on how Genge will break up the tandem of Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola. Prior to Vunipola's injury, there was debate about which of Marler and Vunipola would support Guinge in France. England have relied too much on his superb ball control in recent years (he forced him to return shots against France in 2022) and his scrimmage, mostly very good, can be second to none. His leadership abilities are not forgotten either, which as a vice-captain are highly regarded in the England team.
71. Paolo Garbisi (Italy)
I'm not talking about disrespecting Italy – which has gone by leaps and bounds and, perhaps with Garbisi at its heart, has played some of the most compelling rugby in the Six Nations this year – but it will be interesting to see how the hemisphere does for the better. Best attacking midfielder Azzurri.
70. Bundy Aki (Ireland)
During Ireland's rise to number one in the rankings, as their attacking game developed and flourished, Aki showed his worth in many ways. Whether he uses the line up or repeats passes, he is a powerful, versatile midfielder and a highly valued member of Andy Farrell's team.
69. Wini Atonio (France)
As long as scrimmages and beatings remain fundamental to rugby union, people like rocky Atonio will be handy teammates. There are many more mobile bandits – even in the ranks of France and La Rochelle – but Atonio is reliable and strong. At its best, it is also an effective breakage hindrance.
68. Mateo Carreras (Argentina)
On a global scale, Carreras is more of a 'cult classic' than a blockbuster, but that's understandable considering he's coming to France for his first World Cup. The Newcastle wing is the box office, and some of its confusing, convoluted runs feel more like video games than reality. If he finds a place, no amount of protection will stop him this fall.
67. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Skeptics point to questionable aspects of the scrimmage and bouts of indiscipline, but Porter's transition from dim-witted to promiscuous – a commendable achievement given that many elite first-line players seem reluctant to cross over to the other side of a set piece – has been a factor in the impressive World Cup cycle. Ireland. . Reminiscent of a wrestling superstar with his tattoos, hairdo and muscular physique, the 27-year-old rips around and throws hard punches.
66. Peter O'Mahoney (Ireland)
O'Mahoney, who is now six caps short of the Ireland Centurion title, turns 34 in September. It's still exceptionally resilient in the hallway and relentlessly handles breakage. These and many other qualities allow you to create important moments that change the course of matches. An integral part of the Irish Grand Slam, he went on to lead Munster in the UK Rugby Championship.Peter O'Mahoney is Ireland's pre-eminent leader and a key man for Andy Farrell. Photo: Getty Images/Charles McQuillan 65. Ethan de Groot (New Zealand)
The rise of De Groot, a powerful man, stabilized the All Blacks. Paired with Jason Ryan, the astute striker coaching appointment, this chump just makes New Zealand a more dastardly proposition. In addition to his muscularity, he is also a fierce racer with amazing acceleration and an instinct to cut corners. All in all, De Groot was a key factor in Ian Foster's consolidation after losing in a thrilling series to Ireland.
64. Anthony Gelonch (France)
Acruciate ligament injury in the Six Nations could have severely robbed him of his place in rugby's jewel this autumn, but Gelonch recovered enough to make the team. His performances in the background over the last 18 months for the French national team have been mesmerizing and before this injury he was the best French player in this year's Six Nations.
63. Owen Farrell (England)
Even if you're someone who's never been fully convinced, it's hard to argue with Farrell's place given the season just completed – perhaps his best record ever on an individual level, showing a lot of half-skills that fans may not have known he had. . No doubt his latest ban put England in a very awkward position.
He is sometimes criticized, but there is little doubt that Owen Farrell is an excellent midfielder. Photo: Getty Images/Steve Bardens 62. Theo McFarland (Samoa)
McFarland is a former international basketball player and his compilation of Saracen highlights could be mistaken for a sport other than rugby. The forward five are an outstanding athlete with amazing speed and agility. Some of his one-handed moves in the lineout left entire stadiums gasping, with Mark McCall even claiming the Samoan was turning into a set piece leader. It is hoped that he will recover from a serious knee injury that brought to naught the second half of last season.
61. Samisoni Tauke'ayo (NZ)
Some might say the Kiwi prostitute was unlucky to be so low, but Tauke'ayo relinquished his All Blacks starting spot. However, he remains the best hooker in the world with the ball in his hands – and no doubt either the lack of set pieces or the speed of work in defense sent him to the bench.
Rugby's 100 best players – part one
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