Telegraph Rates Juan Martín González as the Best Flanker in the UK

The Telegraph has published a list of the 30 Best Men’s Rugby players in the UK today. Puma Juan Martín González is ranked as the best flanker. Senior Rugby Writer Charlie Morgan compiled the list which considers all players in the English Premiership as well as players in Scottish and Welsh teams in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The top pick went to Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu. The Australian is joined by two others from south of the equator in the top three: Springboks Finn Russell and Handré Pollard. Scottish fly half Finn Russell is the top rated back and the fourth placed overall.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg of the Bristol Bears completes the Top 5. The South African joined the club from London Irish. The center is uncapped by South Africa and will become eligible for England, via five-years-residency in mid 2026.

Morgan ranks Marcus Smith as the best England player in the UK. The Harlequins fly half is joined by Maro Itoje in the Top 10. Itoje is 8th, one place behind his Saracens teammate, Juan Martín González. Scotland winger Darcy Graham and flanker Rory Darge round out Morgan’s Top 10.

10 Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors)
9 Darcy Graham (Edinburgh)
8 Maro Itoje (Saracens)
7 Juan Martín González (Saracens)
6 Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
5 Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears)
4 Finn Russell (Bath)
3 Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
2 Thomas du Toit (Bath)
1 Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors)