The best 30 rugby players in the UK

No coincidence that England’s best attacking spells seemed to happen in the autumn when Slade was on the field. Perhaps the Borthwick regime will make better use of him.

25. Tommy Reffell (Leicester/Wales)

The star of Wales’ summer who would have featured more in the autumn had it not been for injury against New Zealand. Essential part of Leicester’s title bid.

24. Theo McFarland (Saracens/Samoa)

Arrived out of nowhere and became one of the most impressive athletes in the Premiership. The knee injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season is horrendous luck.

23. Jasper Wiese (Leicester/South Africa)

The powerhouse at the back of Leiecster’s scrum whose carrying at times is just ferocious. Could, with time, be South Africa’s starting No 8 at the World Cup.

22. Henry Arundell (London Irish/England)

Exploded onto the scene with that try in Toulon but the most impressive thing about Arundell is that it wasn’t a one-off. Has a huge role to play for England over once fit again.

21. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh/Scotland)

Scotland will be hoping to have their dynamic openside back for the Six Nations after he was stood down following a concussion. Still fantastic at the breakdown.

20. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/England)

A trickier year for Smith after he barely put a foot wrong in 2021 winning the league title with Harlequins. Perhaps a change in the England coaching staff will get him back to his best.

19. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter/England)

Soon off to Montpellier but not after hoping to add to his England caps at next year’s Rugby World Cup. Still carries like a steam train.

18. Nick Tompkins (Saracens/Wales)

Hit top form in a grim autumn for Wales and Warren Gatland will be excited to work with the Saracens centre, even if he’s not a ‘crash ball’ merchant.

17. Will Rowlands (Dragons/Wales)

One of the finds of the Pivac era offering the kind of size Wales desperately needed, and his partnership alongside Adam Beard has felt well balanced.

16. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England)

Still a players’ favourite and had a better autumn than Smith (not that everyone will listen to that opinion). Been around long enough to have played alongside Steve Borthwick when Saracens won the league in 2011.

15. Chris Harris (Gloucester/Scotland)

Might well be the best defensive centre in the game, as he consistently displays for both Gloucester and Scotland. Quietly one of his country’s better players.

14. Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins/South Africa)