The year 2025 is almost upon us, so here at RugbyDump, we’ve decided to celebrate some of those who have transcended the sport in 2024. Compiling a list of the top five men’s players in each major position, our two editors, Jack Tunney and Phillip Bendon, have provided their pick of the best talents worldwide.

With today’s players often able to play in multiple positions, we have combined the selections into nine separate lists. We have selected based on form, 2024 accolades, and historical pedigree.

These lists are as follows: Props, Hookers, Second Row, Back Rows, Scrum Halves, Fly Halves, Centres, Wingers and Fullbacks.

This time it’s the nifty controllers of the game:

Scrum Halves

5 – Alex Mitchell

What a year it’s been for Alex Mitchell. Fresh off the back of a World Cup semi-final with England in 2023, the Northampton star won the Gallagher Premiership and cemented himself as arguably the best scrum half in England. Renowned for his ability to snipe through the gap and play what’s in front of him, the 27-year-old has hit his prime with increased game management skills and the impressive ability to remain calm under the utmost pressure. A memorable year.

4 – Cam Roigard

It’s not easy to take over the All Black number nine shirt from Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara, but Roigard has been thorough in his progress. After recovering from a career-threatening knee injury, Roigard has strapped up his boots and faced his black shirt forward in an impressive Autumn Nations series. The young scrum half achieved seven tries in his first ten All Black caps, putting his strike rate in comparative waters as Joe Rokocoko and the great Jeff Wilson.

3 – Grant Williams

The only spot in the all-star Springbok squad that isn’t perhaps guaranteed at the moment would be that number nine position. Williams has staked a serious claim for the shirt in recent matches, however, displaying the sheer speed that has made him such a dangerous player for the Sharks over the past six years. Able to perform almost as well on the wing, his versatility is an important factor in today’s game, particularly when you consider the 6-2/7-1 splits that Rassie Erasmus likes to dictate.

2 – Jamison Gibson Park

Back with a shaved head this year, the Kiwi-born Ireland playmaker had to contend with the Ireland fallout from the 2023 World Cup and Leinster’s inability to collect silverware themselves. Despite this, Gibson-Park has continued his dominance of the European game, adapting to playing in a side that perhaps for this moment in time aren’t getting things all their own way.

1 – Antoine Dupont

Of course, it was always going to be the French superstar at number one. Winner of the Top 14, Champions Cup and Men’s World SVNS Player of the Year in 2024, the talismanic nine stepped up his already legendary status. Touted by many as the greatest scrum-half of all time, and some as the greatest player of all time – the jury is currently out.