Daily Telegraph's 100 Best Current Players

100 to 81 so far (please note that the text is copied from them - so any factual errors are theirs):


100. Greig Laidlaw
Cool-headed and accurate place kicker for Scotland, the former Edinburgh star can play at fly-half and scrum-half. It’s in the latter position he has been used for club – now Gloucester – and country, with aplomb.

99. Taulupe Faletau
Formerly Toby – an Anglicised name the Pacific Island-born backrower used, after moving to Wales as a child with his family led by Kuli, a Tongan international – the Newport Gwent Dragons star made a huge impact for Wales in 2011, aged 21. Has continued to progress and won a cap for the British and Irish Lions in 2014 Down Under.

98. Pat Lambie
Utility back blessed with talent. Can play fly-half, fullback and centre and made his international debut at No10 aged 20. Already has won 40 caps for the Springboks and doesn't turn 25 until October.

97. Morne Steyn
A points machine for South Africa, the fly-half, who moved to Stade Français in 2013, notched up the fastest 600 points for his country (in 50 Tests) and at 30 remains one of the best No10s on the planet.

96. Billy Vunipola
A move from Wasps to Saracens in 2013 proved a masterstoke for the Brisbane-born No8 who made his England breakthrough later that season. Has become a key member of Stuart Lancaster's side, though his form has dipped following a blistering start to his international career.

95. Gaël Fickou
Turns 21 at end of March but the blistering French winger has been one to watch since bursting on to the scene with Toulon in the 2012 Heineken Cup season. Only scored once for Les Bleus but one suspects there will be many more tries to come over the next decade for France.

94. Sébastien Vahaamahina
Born in Nouméa, New Caledonia, the 6ft 7in lock made his bow from France when only 21. Moved from relegated Perpignan to Clermont Auvergne and at 23 has the potential to be a colossus in world rugby for a decade.

93. Juan Imhoff
Argentine paceman – happy on the wing or at full-back – scored four tries on his international debut, versus Chile in 2009. The ‘Rosario Rocket’, 26, was signed by Racing Métro in 2011 and has continued to sparkle.

92. Owen Farrell
Dependable fly-half, particularly when place kicking, the son of rugby league legend Andy – who happens to be England's defence coach – was heir apparent to Jonny Wilkinson. Yet the 23-year-old has struggled to develop flair and old pal George Ford has recently wrestled the No10 England jersey from him.

91. George Ford
Became the youngest debutant in English professional rugby in Nov 2009, making his bow for Leicester aged 16 and 237 days. Had to move to Bath for regular first-team action but is flourishing – for club and latterly country – at No10.

90. Mathieu Bastareaud
There is a sort of fascination with the sheer size of the man. A human wrecking ball, the Toulon centre is sometimes written off as a one-dimensional crash merchant but he has added to his game. Not at all easy to stop, Bastareaud sucks defenders in and opens gaps for others.

89. Tom Wood
Wood can play across the back row but the Northampton man is probably best suited to No 6. Does a lot of the ‘unseen work’ well. Richard Hill is a fan. High tackle count, good offloading game, fearless, workhorse. Can also jump, which is a useful trait.

88. Ruan Pienaar
Skilful and versatile, Ulster’s South African World Cup winner has played for his country at fly-half, full-back and scrum-half but it is at scrum-half he has settled. Could have moved to Toulon in late 2013, but said no, partly because he felt, as a devout Christian, that he had a role to play in Belfast.

87. Alex Dunbar
Still only 24, the farmer’s son from Lockerbie is developing into a very useful centre. No less an authority than Will Greenwood believes Dunbar’s work at the breakdown and clever angles of running mark him out for potential greatness.

86. Quade Cooper
A man for whom the ‘mercurial’ tag might have been invented. Born in New Zealand, Cooper moved to Brisbane at 13. Extravagantly gifted, the Queensland Reds playmaker has forged a reputation as being a handful for his own coaches as much as the opposition.

85. Samson Lee
The man to have finally deposed Wales legend Adam Jones at tighthead. But don’t hold that against him. The Scarlets man is there entirely on merit. At 22, he is developing into a world class prop.

84. Jonny Gray
Five years younger and about three inches shorter than brother Richie, Jonny is credited with being the ‘elder statesman’ of the two, having taken up the game first. Either way, the Glasgow lock is huge. The Gray brothers played alongside each other for Scotland last autumn for first time.

83. Sam Cane
Only just 23, Cane has already been part of the All Blacks set up for three years. Earmarked as Richie McCaw’s long term successor at No 7, Cane has perhaps the biggest boots in world rugby to fill.

82. Mike Brown
Brown was not always considered world class but the Harlequin’s superb performances in the 2014 Six Nations – which featured full-stretch diving catches, counter-attacks from deep, as well as the usual tackling and solidity under the high ball – forced many to revise their opinion of him.

81. Yoann Huget
Outrageously gifted Toulouse winger/fullback with searing pace and a gorgeous sidestep. Not everyone’s cup of tea, he enjoys a celebration. Courted controversy with his recent ‘footballer-esque’ dive, clutching his face when pushed in the chest in a Champions Cup clash with Bath.

I assume this list isn't in order.

lostinwales wrote:I assume this list isn't in order.

I believe it is - 100 to 81. We will see the rest in the next 4 days.

Ickle Jonny only 84th? Be interesting to see which locks they rate higher. I think he would grace any NH team

Yeah just wait til the Welsh mob see Faletau at 99.

Bet the voting is based on what I wrote a while ago. - points SH player +10, NZ +50

Best player in the world is still McCaw tho. May even be the best ever. I wonder if they will find someone else to put at no 1

TJ wrote:Best player in the world is still McCaw tho.  May even be the best ever.  I wonder if they will find someone else to put at no 1

Yet plenty of people do not consider him NZs best in his position.

LondonTiger wrote:

TJ wrote:Best player in the world is still McCaw tho.  May even be the best ever.  I wonder if they will find someone else to put at no 1

Yet plenty of people do not consider him NZs best in his position.

Considering he plays in virtually all the biggest games (whether runaway successes or the grinding recent plethora of grinding but unfussed come-backs) I wonder how the plenty of people come to the conclusion that someone better than him would be be better in the roll?

I understand that he's in the time of his life that lends itself to people coming out of the woodwork and feeling courageous enough to suggest he isn't all that anymore.  All the great players, if they're lucky to last long enough, get told they're not the 'most beautiful anymore' by their media 'mirror on the wall'.  And in terms of physical presence and mobility it's a dead cert that he isn't what he was and is on the downward journey of his career - BUT, he's still the guy dragging that New Zealand through when they start to question themselves.  It's his experience and guile that has him on top now and nobody is going to catch him on that score until he retires. Worth his weight in gold to the New Zealand team - still.

Michael Jones for me and a lot of people of my age, SF.

Yeah.................... age does things to a man, Tiger. The rainbows were more colourful, the summers more sunny and the days, well, - they were three days longer than the present ones.

Pfft.

Life were 'ard when I were a lad. Four of us, 'uddled under a cardboard box.


But yes, nostalgia always plays a part. The hero's of the past always remembered as bigger, faster, better than perhaps they were.

..the days were three days longer though - and that's a fact!

Ford one place above Farrell.

Someone's having a giraffe.

Who is Samson Lee ffs??

88. Ruan Pienaar

One place behind Dunbar? Now I rate Dunbar but surely Pienaar is a whole class above?

Never mind that TJ - apparently both Ford and Farrell urinate all over young Patrick Lambie.

Quite an interesting claim given that Lambie was a 40 cap Springbok by the time he'd turned 24.

Morne Steyn remains one the best flyhalf of the planet ?!

The joke will keep coming tomorrow

George Carlin wrote:Never mind that TJ - apparently both Ford and Farrell urinate all over young Patrick Lambie.

:-)

So rSt Jonny Wilko the best current player than?

LondonTiger wrote:

TJ wrote:Best player in the world is still McCaw tho.  May even be the best ever.  I wonder if they will find someone else to put at no 1

Yet plenty of people do not consider him NZs best in his position.

At the moment? Don't think anyone's saying anyone else. After getting rated behind even Hooper around the s14 final had a great finish to the year. Same Cane and Matt Todd are the only real contenders. Few more laps around the track before either of them is considered better. Thats a dilemma for next year thats for sure. As it will be for half the squad.

Wouldn't have Farrell in the top 100 based on rugby since last year's 6 nations.

Has Mike Brown actually been that good since last year's 6 nations either?

TJ Jonny Gray would be behind Launchbury,Lawes,O Connell and AWJ certainly.

Best is really subjective.

Is this just international form or does club count too?

beshocked wrote:Is this just international form or does club count too?

Neither really. It is purely click bait!

Beshocked - very subjective about ickle jonny. He has been absolutely outstanding this year regularly topping both carry and tackle stats in every game he plays, Huge numbers of turnovers, lineout steals and lineout catches as well. last year he missed two tackles all season. Certainly ahead of those 4 you mention in my opinion. O'Connell better perhpas at his best and he has been coming back into his best form recently. Lawes is nowhere near as effective in all aspects of the game although again seems to be coming back into form.

beshocked wrote:Wouldn't have Farrell in the top 100 based on rugby since last year's 6 nations.

Has Mike Brown actually been that good since last year's 6 nations either?

TJ Jonny Gray would be behind Launchbury,Lawes,O Connell and AWJ certainly.

Best is really subjective.

Is this just international form or does club count too?

Can't say much for the English boys but he IS above O'Connell and AWJ. You just need to look at Glasgow's recent games against Munster.

Top 100 selected by Telegraphs "team of rugby experts". This apparently includes Geech and austin Healey

Londontiger surprised you don't like the Leicester lip. I think he's one of the best pundits around - informative and opinionated.

Depends what you rate a player on - reputation? Form?

Jonny Gray didn't even get on the long list for ERCC player of the season....

The 6 nations will be the time for him to stake his claim to fame from a wider audience.


Lawes and Launchbury are more experienced internationals too. Not sure about that Paul O Connell bloke.... perhaps Gray has more caps than him?

beshocked wrote: Londontiger surprised you don't like the Leicester lip. I think he's one of the best pundits around - informative and opinionated.

Depends what you rate a player on - reputation? Form?

Jonny Gray didn't even get on the long list for ERCC player of the season....

The 6 nations will be the time for him to stake his claim to fame from a wider audience.


Lawes and Launchbury are more experienced internationals too. Not sure about that Paul O Connell bloke.... perhaps Gray has more caps than him?  

Sorry pal, thought it said best current players, not most International caps/experience.

What do you mean by best? Most in form? The player you would most want to start currently?

Best is surely subjective.

beshocked wrote:

The 6 nations will be the time for him to stake his claim to fame from a wider audience.

I guess thats the real issues - telegraph pundits won't have seen much of him. His stats the last two years are incredible for Glasgow. Never seen anyone like him.

I guess thats the real issues - telegraph pundits won't have seen much of him. His stats the last two years are incredible for Glasgow. Never seen anyone like him

He needs to replicate that at a higher level to get recognition.

That means either do it for Scotland, or play for a team that expects to get to the not-Heineken cup semis.

I assume Steffon Armitage will be up near the top - despite not getting international rugby exposure.

Where's Hugh Blake?

I assume that Gavin Henson is much further down the roster.

Jonny Gray would be one of my tips to come out as a star from this 6N if the Scotland team continues to build on the autumn

MacKnocked-on wrote:Where's Hugh Blake?

Well, we are only at no. 81. The question is whether his is above or below World Class Phil!

This is going to be a fun list to argue

TJ - While I think ickly Jonny is great and we can hope will continue to develop into a great - it is too early for us to shout about his 'world class' as Scotland and Glasgow have not won anything of note and he is still developing

We bemoan other nations for shouting about their unproven world class players too early - lets hot fire until he earns it

Sporting of Dan Parks to retire, thus rendering himself ineligible from taking the number 1 slot.

Riskysports wrote:This is going to be a fun list to argue

TJ - While I think ickly Jonny is great and we can hope will continue to develop into a great - it is too early for us to shout about his 'world class' as Scotland and Glasgow have not won anything of note and he is still developing

We bemoan other nations for shouting about their unproven world class players too early - lets hot fire until he earns it

Aye - just laughing at the anomolies. I particularly like Pienaar and Lambie being so low. Dunbar better than both? Even more to prove than ickle jonny has Dunbar.

Where are the rest of the ratings - should have had another instalment by now

sorting it now

LondonTiger wrote:sorting it now

Ta - could do with another giggle.

are we taking bets on who they say is the best?

TJ wrote:

Riskysports wrote:This is going to be a fun list to argue

TJ - While I think ickly Jonny is great and we can hope will continue to develop into a great - it is too early for us to shout about his 'world class' as Scotland and Glasgow have not won anything of note and he is still developing

We bemoan other nations for shouting about their unproven world class players too early - lets hot fire until he earns it

Aye - just laughing at the anomolies.  I particularly like Pienaar and Lambie being so low.  Dunbar better than both?  Even more to prove than ickle jonny has Dunbar.  

I think I am having a sense of humour failure at the forthcoming stress of watching Scotland play

LondonTiger wrote:sorting it now

i dont think youve sorted this lot yet.

No Irish player on the list? sounds about right.....