Five Players, One Crown. Who Will Be World Rugby's Best?

With the international season approaching its final stretch, the race for World Rugby Player of the Year is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. From the relentless physicality of the Boks to the attacking brilliance of the revived All Blacks and the finishing prowess of the French, there has been no shortage of individual brilliance in 2026. While several players could make a compelling case for the game's highest individual honour, five in particular have caught my attention. With November still to come, the race is far from over, but it would be hard to imagine these guys not making the cut.

JORDIE BARRETT

Jordie Barrett has taken his game to another level in 2026, so much so that former All Black's coach Sir Graham Henry recently described him as the best inside centre in world rugby a hard sentiment to disagree with. Following his stint with Leinster, Barrett has returned to New Zealand a more complete player, combining his trademark physicality with a greater understanding of how to control proceedings from the midfield. The Barrett pedigree has long been a feature of New Zealand rugby, but Jordie is increasingly establishing his own legacy. His consistency throughout the July internationals and Rugby's Greatest Rivalry against the Springboks has been exceptional, and the influence he has on the All Blacks' attack and defence cannot be understated. He is no longer simply a talented player capable of playing several positions, but arguably the most influential No.12 in the game today.

MALCOLM MARX

Then there is Malcolm Marx, the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, who appears to have absolutely no intention of surrendering his crown, nor a ball on the ground. Having claimed the award in 2025, Marx has maintained the incredible standards that have made him the benchmark for hookers around the world. His contribution to the Bok scrum is immense, but it is his work beyond the set piece that truly separates him from the pack.

Few players possess his ability to turn a breakdown into a turnover at precisely the moment their team needs it most, while his appetite for carrying into contact and making tackles seems almost endless. The workload he shoulders on both sides of the ball is remarkable for a front-rower, his performances during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry served as another reminder of just how valuable he is to Rassie's side. Winning the award once is an achievement in itself, but Marx has every chance of making it two in succession.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey

France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey has become one of the most exciting sights in international rugby, and defenders across the world are discovering just how difficult he is to contain. The young winger lit up the Six Nations once again, scoring a record nine tries in the 2026 championship and cementing his reputation as one of the most lethal finishers in the game. His blistering acceleration, intelligent running lines and uncanny ability to appear in exactly the right place have made him a nightmare for opposition defences.

Having already been nominated for the award in 2025, Bielle-Biarrey has been knocking on the door of rugby's biggest individual prize. The one question mark over his campaign may be France's reluctance to send their strongest available squad on southern hemisphere tours, which denied him further opportunities to make his case against the world's best. Nevertheless, his performances in the French jersey have been so impressive that he simply cannot be overlooked.

WILL JORDAN

If scoring tries is the currency of greatness, Will Jordan must be one of the wealthiest men in rugby. The All Blacks' attacking weapon has an almost supernatural instinct for finding the try line, and in July he surpassed Dougie Howlett to become New Zealand's all-time leading Test try scorer. Yet Jordan offers far more than an impressive collection of five-pointers. His anticipation, support running and ability to identify the smallest of gaps make him one of the most dangerous players in world rugby.

Us Bok supporters were left holding our breath whenever he found space during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, while Australia also discovered just how devastating he can be with ball in hand. The All Blacks simply look a different proposition when Jordan is on the field, and should he carry his form into November, there is every reason to believe he could be the man lifting the silverware.

DAMIAN WILLEMSE

Damian 'Gaza' Willemse, meanwhile, has quietly developed into one of the most complete backs in the international game. Already a two-time World Cup winner with a remarkable collection of silverware to his name, the 28-year-old has added a level of composure and maturity to his game that makes him indispensable to the Springbok machine. His reliability under the high ball gives South Africa tremendous security at the back, while his footwork is good enough to step his way out of a phone booth.

What makes Willemse particularly special, however, is his ability to turn defensive situations into attacking opportunities, bringing the outside backs into play with an instinctive understanding of space and timing. Add his uncompromising defence and the versatility to slot in at flyhalf or inside centre, and you have a player who offers almost everything a coach could ask for. He may not always command the headlines, but his influence on the Springboks has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Of course, there is still plenty of rugby to be played. November promises another demanding month of Test rugby, with the leading nations facing four more matches and plenty of opportunities for reputations to be enhanced or ambitions to come unstuck. A match-winning performance against a heavyweight opponent, a moment of individual brilliance or even an unfortunate injury could completely change the complexion of the race. There is also the small matter of the inaugural Nations Championship title up for grabs, providing another stage on which the world's best can make their case.

Based on what we have witnessed throughout 2026, any one of these five would be a worthy recipient of World Rugby's highest individual honour. Each brings something different to the table, each has been instrumental to their country's fortunes, and each has produced moments that remind us why we love this game. The question now is who has one final statement left to make before the curtain falls on the end of another season.