CENTRES
13. Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Honourable Mentions: Lukhanyo Am (South Africa), Manu Tuilagi (England), Ollie Lawrence (England)
Following the 2023 Six Nations, Ireland’s Garry Ringrose was sky-rocketed into the conversation of ‘who is the best outside centre in the world?’ Since the Springbok’s triumphant Rugby World Cup winning campaign in 2019, powerhouse centre Lukhanyo Am comfortably held onto the title.
Ringrose emerged from the chasing pack after impressing on Ireland’s 3-1 tour series victory over the All Blacks in the Summer of 2022. The following Six Nations ignited his claim for the top spot, with his all-important win-sealing try against France, being his highlight of the competition. Big things are expected of the Leinster man at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, as Ireland are drawn against Lukhanyo Am’s ‘Boks.
However, this Pool B clash may well not feature the Sharks centre, as Am’s World Cup contention was recently dealt a major blow by a knee injury. Am has not been included in the Springbok’s 33-man squad for the competition, yet there is hopes of a late call-up for necessary injury cover. For now, the mantle of the world’s best outside centre sits with Ringrose, who will look to solidify this claim at the World Cup.
Manu Tuilagi gets a nod amongst the outside centre honourable mentions. The Sale and England bruiser has been shining in the both the 13 and 12 shirts as off late, yet his appearance stats see him make 10% more caps in the outside centre spot. (Outside Centre 55%, Inside Centre 45%).
12. Inside Centre: Jonathan Danty (France)
Honourable Mentions: Samu Kerevi (Australia), Gael Fickou (France), Malakai Fekitoa (Tonga), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
The competition remains just as fierce for the inside centre spot, with stars from across the Northern and Southern Hemisphere’s all stating a claim for the number 12 shirt. We have opted for France and La Rochelle bulldozer Jonathan Danty to occupy the channel, and block out the sun from the opposition centres.
Danty was a key player for La Rochelle, as the French side retained their Heineken Champions Cup crown over Leinster. The centre scored Stade Rochelais’ first try, and kick-started the comeback at the Aviva Stadium, disregarding any home soil advantage Leinster took into the match. Danty returned from a serious knee injury to make two appearances in the 2023 Six Nations, and he marked his comeback with dominance against England, and a try against Wales.
Lukhanyo Am’s Bok’s partner Damian de Allende would also be considered, yet the Springbok spent a lengthy time on the injury side-lines, and missed Munster’s URC winning season. Former All Black-turned Tongan international Malakai Fekitoa proved himself to be a more than capable replacement as Munster’s inside centre, and earned an honourable mentions spot.
HALFBACKS
10. Fly Half: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
Honourable Mentions: Owen Farrell (England), Romain Ntamack (France), Johnny Sexton (Ireland), Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
The fly half spot was amongst the hardest to chose, as there are an abundance of unbelievable 10s across world rugby. Four honourable mentions is not enough for World Rugby’s premier halfbacks, with England alone sporting a trio of viable contenders in Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith and George Ford. Italy’s Paolo Garbisi, Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, and the France duo of Romain Ntamack and Matthieu Jalibert also deserve recognition.
However, there can only be one pick for this World Rugby XV, with All Blacks talisman Beauden Barrett receiving the nod. Barrett could well have slotted in this team at fullback, as he is just that good. Currently Ian Forster prefers to play Barrett in the 15 spot, with Damien McKenzie or Richie Mo’unga (also worth a mention) taking the reigns from fly half in recent competition.
However, Beauden has been phenomenal at 10 for the Hurricanes, the Blues, Taranaki, Suntory Sungoliath and the All Blacks for the best part of a decade. The 2016 and 2017 World Rugby Player of the Year is aging like a fine wine, and at 32-years-old Barrett still rules the rugby landscape at fly half.
Barrett wants to leave the 2023 Rugby World Cup part of an exclusive club of two-time champions. The fly half burst onto the international stage with his match-securing try in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final, in a ‘passing of the torch’ from retirement-bound Dan Carter. Beauden’s eyes are firmly fixed on a second World Cup winners medal, yet he has to overcome some serious calibre of opponents to get there.
9. Scrum Half: Antoine Dupont (France)
Honourable Mentions: Aaron Smith (New Zealand), Conor Murray (Ireland), Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
The magic maestro of France, Antoine Dupont was amongst the three easiest players to select for this World Rugby XV. Dupont continues to hit new levels of ability, with headline-making performances for France and Toulouse. He has long surpassed All Blacks stalwart Aaron Smith to become the best scrum half in the world, with Smith now calling time on his 12-year Highlanders career, and heading off to Japan to see out his playing days.
Dupont entered his peak, as he led France to the 2022 Six Nations title. Awarded the accolade of Player of the Tournament for the 2023 Six Nations, only bolstered his place as the world’s best nine. The eyes of a nation will be on him for the 2023 Rugby World Cup on home soil, as the poster-boy of the competition. Dupont has the weight of Les Bleus on his shoulders, in an attempt to take his side to lift the Web Ellis trophy for the first time in their history.
Dupont will come face-to-face with Smith in the Rugby World Cup’s blockbuster opening match, as France host New Zealand to kick-off Pool A. Following a recent career resurgence, Ireland’s Conor Murray gets an honourable mention, as he wound back the years to take Andy Farrell’s side to Grand Slam glory.
