Six Nations Fantasy: The top-ranked superstars for the 2024 championship : Planet Rugby

One of the standout All Blacks of 2023, Roigard is looming as the perfect successor to Aaron Smith in Scott Robertson’s starting side. Scoring nine tries last year, he’ll be in stiff competition with teammate TJ Perenara for starting caps in both Wellington and the national side. Along with Fraser McReight and Jordan Petaia, Tate McDermott is set for a critical season at the Reds. Scott Robertson won’t be disheartened, though, as there were many positives. However, his Achilles’ heel was the bench’s inability to close out games as well as they started.

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Having been among the world’s premier players for some time now, Maro Itoje enjoyed another fruitful season in 2021. The veteran lock was a shining light in England’s below-par Six Nations campaign to become a regular test starter for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa. Itoje then capped off his year with a string of standout showings as England swept the Wallabies, Springboks and Tonga in the Autumn Nations Series. Of equal importance to the Hurricanes is the performance of their star centre, Jordie Barrett. Head coach Warren Gatland has been forced to pick one of the youngest squads of his career following retirements, transfers and injuries to key players. Arguably only the second true utility player on this list alongside Levani Botia, former sevens specialty Smith is one of the best back row players in the world.

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A successful try is awarded with an additional conversion opportunity (which sees a team attempting to kick the ball over the other team’s goal-posts) for two points. The main way is by scoring a try – carrying the ball over the opponent’s goal-line, which scores five points. Wales have finished fifth in the Six Nations for the past two years having won just two of their last 11 games in the Championship. England, who finished fourth last campaign, have not won the tournament since 2020.

Top 10 tries of the 2024 Rugby Championship

Previous captain Owen Farrell is unavailable, saying he wants to «prioritise his mental wellbeing», so Jamie George takes over the role, leading the squad as the new captain. Ireland, who won the Six Nations last year, come into this year’s tournament with something to prove, having gone into last year’s World Cup with high expectations, only to lose out in the quarter-finals. France joined the tournament in 1910, with five teams competing for 90 years until Italy were invited to join the competition in 2000. The latest edition of the men’s Six Nations is fast approaching, with the 2024 championship starting the first weekend of February. He is up there as one of the best No 8s in world rugby and will be key to Les Bleus navigating the tournament without Antoine Dupont.

• Russell is «a fly-half known for his attacking instincts», said Rugby World.
• With the World Cup just a year away, Am is set to play a crucial role in South Africa’s chances of retaining the Webb Ellis Cup.
• Was also a menace at the breakdown, coming up momentum swinging steals in both halves, and made more tackles than any other Welshman.
• Sharing the record with Telea with 12 tries last season, Codie Taylor is a formidable veteran at the head of a dangerous Crusaders pack.
• Rugby World Cup hosts France have six players in the top 20, starting with full-back Thomas Ramos in 16th place with hooker Julien Marchand in 13th.
• The latest edition of the men’s Six Nations is fast approaching, with the 2024 championship starting the first weekend of February.

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Like his clubmate, Costelow, Ioan Lloyd possesses a strong running game and a clever short- to mid-range kicking game that could work a treat with the dangerous Welsh backs. The 2024 Six Nations brings with it more change than just about any of the previous ten editions of rugby’s oldest international tournament. Over the past two seasons, when Papenhuyzen was cast into injury hell, when Munster and Grant grappled with the ravages of rep football and struggled for club consistency, it has been Hughes who bore the weight. Cronk arrived at the Storm as a true utility and player five-eighth, hooker and lock.

Other France players to watch

A superb tactician, George will take the place of Owen Farrell at this year’s Championship. Unless you’re a London Irish or Harlequins fan, then Chandler Cunningham-South is a name you might not know. However, he could become a familiar face following the 2024 Six Nations. Praise is due for Cyril Baille as well, who is the solitary front rower in the top ten.

Other Ireland players to watch

Italian Rugby’s crown jewel, Capuozzo is the sprinkling of magic dust that takes the Azzurri backline to another level whenever he is fit and firing. Argentina’s captain is a no-nonsense, blue-collar worker who does the dirty work so his teammates can shine. Joining his fellow Irish centers, Henshaw is a hybrid of Aki and Ringrose, with the ability to slot into both the 12 and 13 shirts seamlessly.

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The Doddie Weir Cup was established in 2018 and is presented to the winner of the game between Scotland and Wales. The cup is named after the former Scotland international lock Doddie Weir who died from motor neuron disease and was created to raise awareness of the illness. Scotland’s star player, Finn Russell (pictured) has been named co-captain alongside Rory Darge for the tournament, with Scotland getting under way against Wales in Cardiff on 3 February. England who got to the semi-finals – the furthest of any of the Six Nations sides – at last autumn’s World Cup, are without several key players for this year’s championship. Dyer has a chance to make the position his own and show Wales fans that the loss of LRZ has given them a chance to see Dyer shine.

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Ordinarily, Ross Byrne would have been the choice here, but the rock-steady Leinster stalwart picked up an unfortunate early-season injury and has yet to return to action. So, as the rugby world awaits the imminent squad announcements, here are three fly-half options for each nation who should get the first crack at the whip in 2024. But now it is Hughes who stands tallest, Hughes who leads the way, Hughes who the Storm turn to the most. He does not crave the spotlight and he has never chafed at not receiving the same headlines, but the glory is upon him now because he has earned it many times over. He doesn’t play State of Origin, which means he misses out on the shine afforded to that arena and despite playing some great football for New Zealand that’s often not celebrated as much as it should be.

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• The 21-year-old earned his first cap in 2022, when he came off the bench against Georgia.
• A kicker without a game is like going to a great restaurant and having nothing but a slice of white bread.
• 15 – Cameron Winnett  – 8Didn’t merely catch high balls and hoof them back.
• We run through their team, rating each player out of a possible 10.
• The emergence of young loose forwards like Carlo Tizzano and Fraser McReight was a huge plus, while the growth of Harry Wilson was impressive.

They will have to do so without the «talismanic figure» of Johnny Sexton, who has retired. Jack Crowley looks likely to take over as the new playmaker at No. 10 and experienced Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony is the new captain, reported Sky News. And with the key games against France and England being away from Dublin, back-to-back Grand Slams would be a «real achievement», said the paper. Scotland also won the Calcutta Cup last year – the oldest trophy in international rugby is presented to the winner of the Six Nations England vs Scotland match.

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One of the most exciting talents in the game, Russell is a magician of a fly-half with the skills to unpick any defence. Being named co-captain signals an end to his stormy relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend and he has been revitalised by his move to Bath, who are flourishing as a result of his arrival. A host of rugby’s most gifted players will go head to head over the coming weeks in the 25th instalment of the Guinness Six Nations. Here the PA news agency looks at five stars expected to grab the headlines.

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During training for the World Cup, the team was getting prepared for a deep run in France. Then representatives from FRU came and promised that if they made the quarter-finals, https://just-bet.org/ they would receive a bonus. When the World Cup started, they hadn’t been paid and by the time they reached the quarter-finals, they never received the bonus that was promised.

• In the last minute before the final try, teammate Kristi Kirshe said she just had to «stay in it.»
• Gets extra points for a one-on-one tackle on the much larger Tommy Freeman that saved a try early in the second half.
• South Africa is always great and the vast majority of their fans are brilliant.
• He’s had a pretty impressive resume, of course being very heavily involved with the Munster captaincy and was skipper there for a long time, albeit he has just stepped down,” Robshaw said of the Ireland captain.
• Two front rowers have been putting themselves about too, in prop Pierre Schoeman (36) and hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi (34).
• Fellow back rower Aaron Wainwright for Wales has also underlined his exceptional Championship – in an otherwise disappointing year for his country – with 38.
• Eli Katoa won second rower of the year on Wednesday night, in no small part due to his combination with Hughes, and he talks about his halfback like he’s a coach on the field, which he pretty much is at this point.

The captain of South Africa’s Rugby team, Siya Kolisi, makes the list at fifth. Kolisi plays for the French club Racing 92 for an estimated $800,000 to $850,000 a year. Ireland head into the World Cup as the number-one ranked side and have six players in the top 20. Defending World Cup champions South Africa have three entries, two of which are front rowers.

Picking the perfect player

A dynamic ball carrier without a ridiculous work ethic, Porter has elevated himself to the status of world-class since making his debut in 2017. In January, the wealthy French club Racing 92 made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Russell had been making about $800,000 a year from Saracens, his home club since he was a teenager. For possibly the first time ever, New Zealand don’t head into the Rugby World Cup as favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, and that is reflected in the Telegraph’s picks. Sexton’s actions to Peyper was misconduct, and for the exact same reason Ioane’s actions to Irish supporters are citable as misconduct. Sexton was banned for abusing/disrespecting Peyper in what was the identical version of this for the Chamions League competition.

The return of Len Ikitau also provided much-needed defensive strength and attacking creativity. Some of the changes he made, like the elevation of Tomás Albornoz, gave the team more control in terms of game management, resulting in major improvements. There is plenty for Contepomi to build on with this Los Pumas side. There is a further update on England’s coaching situation and it is not good news for Steve Borthwick.

This will, of course, not be the role he wants to occupy long term, and he likely will push Crowley, if given an opportunity. The following players have received the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month award during the 2024–25 season, as selected by a panel of media commentators, in addition to monthly public polls. Through sheer dedication, he mastered the fabric of rugby league on a technical level, bending by that iron will into the shape he required for his team to win.

That didn’t change in 2021, a year of which he earned a World Rugby Player of the Year nomination, and one could argue Hooper can feel hard done by that he wasn’t the outright winner of the award. Antoine Dupont needs no introduction, and few would disagree that he is the best player in the world right now. Not only can he display his skills on a 15s stage, but he has also started his 7s career with a bang, scoring a try on his debut for France. So far in his career, he has won the Six Nations with France and three top 14 titles with Toulouse.

The Centenary Quaich named after a Gaelic drinking dish, the ‘Quaich’ has been presented to the winners of the Ireland against Scotland since 1989 and won by Ireland in 2023. The four home nations also compete for various trophies, including the the Millennium trophy which has been given to the winner of the Six Nations match between England and Ireland since 1988. The trophy itself looks a little bit like a Viking helmet with horns. The Triple Crown is given to the team that defeats all the other original home nations and only England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland are able to win it. A match is split into two 40-minute halves – the aim of the game is to score more points than the other team through tries, conversions, penalty kicks and drop goals. Scotland’s last championship title was the 1999 Five Nations and their last two World Cup campaigns have ended at the pool stage.

Cam Winnett for Wales, Johnny Matthews for Scotland, Ciaran Frawley or Calvin Nash for Ireland, Nocolas Depootare for France and Feyi-Waboso or Cunningham-South for England. A link player of the highest order, Am’s eye for a gap and top notch skills to either finish or put a teammate away has revolutionized Springboks Rugby from an attacking standpoint. Finally you have lost the respect of a lot of the Irish rugby community.

Gustard spoke highly of ex-Saracens forward Jacques Burger, who he believed had many of the key characteristics of the best defenders in rugby. He’s had a pretty impressive resume, of course being very heavily involved with the Munster captaincy and was skipper there for a long time, albeit he has just stepped down,” Robshaw said of the Ireland captain. Any match that is not a full international between two member countries does not count at all.

He started on the Gold Coast, where he played Under 20s until he got one NRL game in 2013, before heading north to the Cowboys, where he eventually played another. 10 –  Ioan Lloyd – 7.5Dallied on the ball and, like a sacked quarterback, was monstered by Maro Itoje under his own sticks. The young fly-half was brave and skilful, showing great ambition in his play when kicking or running. Could have benefited from more punch through the rush, but didn’t need a midfield thanks to his sniper-accurate cross-kicks. Showed that last week’s tricks weren’t just a consequence the hopeless situation.

12 – Nick Tompkins  – 4Struggled to provide any strike force through midfield. Also guilty for giving the ball away after a 24 phase move when he recklessly chucked an off-load from the ground. Worse perhaps was the custard-soft penalty he gave away when Adams kicked from his own in-goal area to gift England three points. 13 – George North – 5.5Was mostly quiet but had the most penetrating run of any Welsh back looking to punch through England’s line. Needed to have more of those impacts with ball in hand, but his larger frame was a weapon on the counter ruck. One shove in particular on 67 minutes procured a turnover against a possible overlap.

• For possibly the first time ever, New Zealand don’t head into the Rugby World Cup as favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, and that is reflected in the Telegraph’s picks.
• Jack Crowley looks likely to take over as the new playmaker at No. 10 and experienced Munster flanker Peter O’Mahony is the new captain, reported Sky News.
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• Other criteria include the relative strength of each team, the margin of victory, and an allowance for home advantage.
• Born in Auckland and raised in Australia, Meafou has lived in France since 2018.
• There is a further update on England’s coaching situation and it is not good news for Steve Borthwick.
• Realistically, it would be foolish of Borthwick not to cap him, given both his form and the threat of him defecting north of the border.
• The Grand Slam is the cherry on top of the cake for any team that has won the Six Nations, as this additional achievement is only awarded to a team that has won all of their matches during the tournament.
• 8 –  Aaron Wanwright – 7Wales’ best player last week continued his form here.
• Are you suggesting that we have a weakness at 10 because Manie has a problem place kicking?

If the All Blacks are to reclaim the World Cup next year, Savea will be pivotal to their chances of success. With 15 tries in 11 tests, it’s easy to understand why Will Jordan was crowned World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2021. Blessed with speed, vision and footwork, it became common nature to see the young wing slide through and around defences to run in try after try – five of which were scored in a single test against Tonga. Now a first-choice selection on New Zealand’s team sheet, another big year beckons for Jordan in 2022 as he looks to maintain his immaculate strike rate.

His kicking game, especially his positional kicking, has improved out of sight. His versatility as a playmaker, like his ability to act as a first receiver, second receiver or sweep runner, makes him dangerous anywhere and everywhere. Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes beats James Tedesco to the NRL Dally M Medal by one vote, while Roosters back rower Olivia Kernick is named the NRLW’s best player. Note that the «position» column lists the position at which the player made his Test debut, not necessarily the position for which he is best known. For example, Jonny Wilkinson made his Test debut off the bench as a Wing, but is more famous as a Fly-half.

“A former Edinburgh player, plays in Toulouse and he is tall – six foot three/six foot four – with a long stride, and seriously quick with ball in hand. We sought out the expertise of current Stade Francais defence coach Paul Gustard for what defensive attributes the perfect player has. Having consulted the experts to discuss the key attributes and a player who fulfils each of them, we have now asked Easter, ex-Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman and Wales great Adam Jones to select their perfect players.

Two front rowers have been putting themselves about too, in prop Pierre Schoeman (36) and hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi (34). Here is the full list of the highest-paid rugby players of 2024, compiled using data from Yahoo News, GQ Australia, and The Scotsman. The best players can earn lofty wages in the most popular rugby leagues worldwide. Owen Farrell, fly-half of Racing 92, tops the list as the highest-paid rugby player in the world for 2024.

He was not a halfback until he was and once he was he willed himself into being one of the best of all time. Hughes’ rugby league story begins in Queensland, where he spent years wandering through underage and lower-grade football. Memories can fade, but medals don’t and accolades like the Dally M are how we talk to each other about rugby league history across time, so getting it right matters. The new voting system, where a player can get six points in a single match, means a late-season run can overshadow a season of consistency, as we saw with Kalyn Ponga pipping Shaun Johnson last year. The Dally Ms aren’t always an easy thing to believe in and they can be even harder to set your compass by as you wade through rugby league history, trying to sort things out.

Wing Monty Ioane, who appears to be an ever-present across a number of categories, such is his potency in attack, is third with 10. Some of the best rugby players in the world are in the thick of their 2024 summer international season following a long professional season that just ended. A mountain of a man who has long been a vital component of Ireland’s recent successes, Tadhg Furlong is among the few players who is a guaranteed selection in any given World XV. A strong scrummager and effective ball carrier, Furlong undoubtedly remains the best tighthead prop on the planet. Apparently, this wasn’t the only time FRU decided to mess with the team.

Was also a menace at the breakdown, coming up momentum swinging steals in both halves, and made more tackles than any other Welshman. 2 – Elliot Dee – 6On a long list, it was the line-out that was most abject in Wales’ game last week. Dee’s accuracy here meant England wouldn’t get handed free balls at the set-piece. It was a brave call to go to the back of the line within striking distance, but it worked and Wales won a penalty try from the subsequent maul. As the Barrett brothers have proven time and time again, it is hard to keep any of them down (especially when playing together).

His teammate, Ardie Savea, is the only other member of Ian Foster’s squad that makes the list, as he comes in at number three. McReight looked very good against the ABs but I think that’s the first time I’ve seen him excel against top opposition. Ioane also makes disrespectful gestures to the Irish crowd twice, which is a citable offense and misconduct under the same regulation that Sexton was disciplined for abusing Peyper. He was as fast as Christian Cullen, had a pass on him as good as Quade Cooper’s and a Roger Gould boot. His telling off of Sacha was very much the right thing but hopefully not too late.