The Nations Championship is almost here, which means it's time for another argument. Who is the best rugby player on the planet right now?

It's a question that could start a fight in an empty pub.

South Africa have enough world-class forwards to fill two teams. France have Antoine Dupont, who makes international rugby look ridiculously easy. And New Zealand still have Ardie Savea.

England, Ireland and Scotland have a few contenders of their own.

But this isn't a lifetime achievement award. We're judging players on their form, their influence and how much trouble they cause the opposition.

Reputation counts for something. It just doesn't pay the whole bill.

RUCK editor Steve Smith has picked his 10 best players in the world right now.

Some are obvious. A few will raise eyebrows. And at least one will have French fans reaching for their keyboards.

10. Tommy Freeman (England)

There are faster wingers in world rugby. There are flashier ones, too.

But you'd struggle to find many who offer more than Tommy Freeman.

The Northampton Saints star has become one of England's most reliable attacking threats.

He's strong in the air, runs hard and has a knack for finding space.

He's also developed into far more than a finisher.

Freeman can come off his wing, link play and make metres when there's very little room to work with.

He might not have the global profile of some names on this list. Frankly, who cares?

Verdict: Not the biggest superstar in world rugby. Just a very good player who rarely has a bad day.

9. Ox Nché (South Africa)

Some players change games with a moment of magic.

Ox Nché changes them by folding enormous men in half.

The Springboks loosehead has become one of the most feared scrummagers in the game.

When he's on top, opposition tightheads have a miserable afternoon.

But there's more to his game than raw power.

His work around the field and ability to make an impact in big matches have made him vital to South Africa.

You won't see him scoring 60-metre tries. You probably won't see him on many billboards either.

Ask an opposition prop how much that matters.

Verdict: The sort of player you only truly appreciate when he's ruining your afternoon.

8. Finn Russell (Scotland)

Finn Russell remains one of the most entertaining players in world rugby.

The Bath fly-half sees passes that most players wouldn't even attempt.

Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't.

That's part of the deal.

When Russell gets going, Scotland look capable of beating anyone.

He can control a match with his boot, unlock a defence with one pass and turn a dull afternoon into something worth watching.

There are more disciplined fly-halves. There are probably safer ones.

But how many would you genuinely pay to watch?

Verdict: A rugby genius. Not always the safest option, but very often the most exciting.

7. Jack Willis (England)

England's loss has been Toulouse's gain.

Jack Willis has become one of the most feared breakdown specialists in the game.

He tackles, carries, wins turnovers and makes life miserable for opposition forwards.

His decision to remain at Toulouse has kept him outside England's usual selection policy.

That hasn't stopped him becoming one of the best players in France.

Willis was named the Top 14's Player of the Season for the second year running in 2026.

That's no small feat in a league packed with international stars.

What makes him special is his consistency.

Even when Toulouse aren't at their best, Willis rarely disappears from a match.

Verdict: One of the best back-rowers in the world. England's selection rules don't change that.

6. Antoine Dupont (France)

Sixth. Yes, sixth.

Before anyone in Toulouse throws their phone into the nearest river, hear me out.

Antoine Dupont might still be the most naturally gifted rugby player on Earth.

His acceleration is frightening. His passing is ridiculous. And he can turn a hopeless situation into seven points before the defence knows what's happened.

At his best, he's playing chess while everyone else is struggling with Connect Four.

But this is a ranking of the best players right now, not the greatest highlight reels.

The five above him have strong claims based on their influence and recent performances.

Would I swap Dupont for almost any other scrum-half in the world?

Absolutely not.

Verdict: Sixth on this list. First on plenty of others. France fans can put the pitchforks away.

5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

Tadhg Beirne must be an absolute nightmare to play against.

You think you've won the breakdown. He's got his hands on the ball.

You think you've found space. He's appeared from nowhere.

The Munster forward does the ugly stuff brilliantly, but there's far more to his game than stealing possession.

He's clever, mobile and has the handling skills to cause problems well beyond the breakdown.

His ability to play at lock or in the back row also makes him hugely valuable.

Beirne was named Player of the Series during the British & Irish Lions' 2025 tour of Australia.

That tells you plenty about his standing in the game.

Ireland have no shortage of outstanding players. Beirne might be the one opponents would most like to see left off the team sheet.

Verdict: Relentless, clever and incredibly difficult to play against. Every team needs a Beirne.

4. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)

Louis Bielle-Biarrey is frighteningly quick.

But pace alone doesn't make someone one of the best players in the world.

The Bordeaux winger has an exceptional ability to find space, time his runs and punish the smallest defensive mistake.

Give him half a yard and he's gone.

His finishing has become one of France's most dangerous weapons.

And unlike some out-and-out speedsters, he's comfortable getting involved away from his wing.

The frightening thing?

He's still young enough to get even better.

Verdict: Give him space and you're in trouble. Give him too much and you might as well start walking back to halfway.

3. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Pieter-Steph du Toit has been one of the best forwards in world rugby for years.

And somehow, he keeps delivering.

The Springboks flanker tackles relentlessly, carries hard and gets through an extraordinary amount of work.

But it's his ability to perform in the biggest matches that sets him apart.

When South Africa need someone to put the opposition under pressure, Du Toit is rarely far away.

He was named World Rugby Men's Player of the Year in 2024, becoming a two-time winner.

And his standards have barely slipped since.

He doesn't need to dominate the headlines to dominate a game.

He's not glamorous. He's not particularly interested in being glamorous.

He just gets the job done.

Verdict: The sort of player every coach dreams about and every opponent wishes would take up golf.

2. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

If the All Blacks are in trouble, there's a decent chance Ardie Savea will be the man trying to drag them out of it.

Sometimes quite literally.

The New Zealand back-rower has an extraordinary ability to make something happen when his team needs it most.

He carries through traffic, wins turnovers and refuses to accept that a lost cause is actually lost.

And unlike some great forwards, Savea has the hands and footwork to embarrass backs.

He's the complete package.

Power, pace, skill and a level of determination that few players can match.

His absence through injury during the recent South Africa series only underlined his importance.

On another day, he'd be number one.

Verdict: An absolute freak. New Zealand are a much better side whenever he's on the pitch.

1. Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

There are brilliant rugby players. There are world-class rugby players.

Then there's Malcolm Marx.

The Springboks hooker is an absolute menace.

He combines enormous physical power with outstanding work at the breakdown.

His defence is brutal, his carrying is strong and his ability to win possession can change a match.

At the breakdown, he's a thief with no interest in keeping a low profile.

But what really separates Marx is his influence in the biggest games.

He was named World Rugby Men's Player of the Year in 2025, and he's continued to set the standard for hookers.

South Africa have an extraordinary group of forwards. Even among them, Marx stands out.

He won't produce the same highlight reels as Dupont or Bielle-Biarrey.

He doesn't need to.

Few players can have such a huge impact on a match without needing open space.

For me, that's what puts him ahead of Savea and Du Toit.

Verdict: The best rugby player in the world right now. And probably the last bloke you'd want running at you.

Have your say: Who is the best rugby player in the world?

Malcolm Marx takes top spot, with Ardie Savea and Pieter-Steph du Toit completing the podium.

But have we got it right?

Should Antoine Dupont be higher? Has Tadhg Beirne been overlooked? And does Tommy Freeman deserve his place among the world's elite?

Have your say in the comments and tell us who you'd put at number one.