Planet Rugby’s Top 50 men’s players of 2025: Ex-England star ‘excelled’ while Springbok lock ‘instrumental’ in club success as 50-41 revealed
Springboks lock RG Snyman and Toulouse back-rower Jack Willis.
The official Planet Rugby Top 50 men’s players of 2025 has arrived. In the run-up to the new year, we shall be revealing the players who have made it into our list, starting with number 50.
It’s been another terrific year of rugby, which has seen the Springboks once again show their dominance and the British and Irish Lions return to winning ways.
But without further ado, let’s see who has made it.
Planet Rugby’s Top 50 men’s players of 2025
50. Juan Ignacio Brex (Italy, Centre)
2025 Season: Argentinian-born, Brex captained Italy to an impressive victory over Australia in the Autumn, displaying his leadership, defensive organisation and sharp game intelligence. Prior to his move to Toulon, he helped guide Benetton to the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages.
Performance Highlight: His Toulon side defeated a treble-winning Bath side in the second round of the Champions Cup, and Brex was a vital part of that, getting on the scoresheet in the process.
49. Jack Willis (England, Flanker)
2025 Season: The former Wasps and England star Willis excelled for Toulouse in 2025, most notably helping guide them to the Champions Cup semi-finals.
Performance Highlight: During the Top 14 season, Willis averaged an incredible 20 tackles per game.
48. RG Snyman (South Africa, Lock)
2025 Season: The giant South African’s impact when fit was instrumental in helping both the Springboks and Leinster in 2025. His influence enabled the national side to achieve an 86% win rate, while also helping Leinster to reach the URC final.
Performance Highlight: He celebrated his 50th Test cap in a 24-13 victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
47. Alex Mitchell (England, Scrum-half)
2025 Season: Mitchell’s sniping once again aided England’s wins, while also helping guide Northampton to a historic Champions Cup final. His rise to the top of international rugby was solidified in the summer, coming off the bench to face Australia in all three Test matches for the British and Irish Lions.
Performance Highlight: Mitchell’s performance against Australia in the autumn stood out, with the scrum-half scoring and assisting two.
46. Codie Taylor (New Zealand, Hooker)
2025 Season: Taylor continued to be a cornerstone of the All Blacks’ set-piece, excelling in lineout accuracy and breakdown work. For the Crusaders, his leadership and carrying game were pivotal in tight contests. He also achieved his 100th All Blacks test cap.
Performance Highlight: He scored a brilliant try in the Quilter Nations against England, and one in the Super Rugby Pacific final for the Crusaders.
45. Jac Morgan (Wales, Flanker)
2025 Season: Morgan captained Wales in the Autumn Nations Series. His year featured impactful performances off the bench for the British and Irish Lions during their successful tour to Australia. However, a dislocated shoulder suffered while scoring a solo try limited his involvement to just the opening Autumn Test against Argentina.
Performance Highlight: In the Autumn Nations Series opener against Argentina (Wales 28-52 loss, November 2025), Morgan produced a standout individual display before his injury in a typically all-action captain’s performance.
44. Ellis Genge (England, Prop)
2025 Season: Ellis Genge’s raw power and ferocious leadership led England’s resurgence, while his relentless physicality made him a central figure in the British & Irish Lions’ series victory over the Wallabies.
Performance Highlight: Against Pau in the Champions Cup, Genge bulldozed over for a try and helped demolish the scrum, winning six penalties in a statement front-row performance.
43. Maxime Lucu (France, Scrum-half)
2025 Season: Lucu’s steadiness helped Bordeaux to the Champions Cup title and became a key member of the French national side in Antoine Dupont’s absence.
Performance Highlight: In the Champions Cup final, Lucu scored and assisted a try, displaying a Player of the Match performance.
42. Matthieu Jalibert (France, Fly-half)
2025 Season: Jalibert’s flair was instrumental in Bordeaux’s Champions Cup victory, and once again, he reinforced himself as a genuine number 10 option for France.
Performance Highlight: In the Champions Cup semi-final, Jalibert assisted four tries to send his side through to the final.
41. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland, Scrum-half)
2025 Season: Gibson-Park helped Leinster to win the URC final, and was the standout number nine for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Performance Highlight: During Ireland’s Six Nations victory over Scotland, the New Zealand-born star assisted three tries.