Usually, the best rugby players in the world only gather in one place every four years when the Rugby World Cup tournament begins, but as the international rugby season is underway, it's good time to get them together. 

At least in an article form.

FloRugby analyst and reporter Philip Bendon has seen quite a few Rugby World Cups and is as plugged into the sports as any reporter in the world. 

• Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch International Rugby All Summer Long 
• Rugby Fixture Streaming Schedule On FloRugby
• The Highest-Paid Rugby Player Is Finn Russell, But Who's In The Top 10?

Bendon recently undertook the daunting task of ranking the top 100 rugby players in the world. 

Here is Bendon's top rugby players from 61-80. Read the full series on FloRugby.com.

61. Pita Ahki- Tonga - Center

Should we have just listed the full Toulouse squad on this list? It sure feels like it! 

The Tongan international is the go-forward option in the star-studded French club’s line-up. 

Carrying hard and direct, Ahki pumps his legs through contact like a steam engine piston, making him very difficult to stop at first contact. 

Defensively, the freedom he is given to shoot out of the line to make a big hit makes for a compeling highlight reel.

62. Mack Hansen – Ireland - Utility Back

A funky character, both on and off the pitch, the tattoo-laden Connacht and Ireland playmaker is a rarity in modem wing play. 

Not the fastest winger, or the strongest, Hansen is a cerebral operator who outsmarts his opponents and utilizes perfect technique to complete his plans. 

Contorting himself like a cirque du soleil acrobat to finish off tries, Hansen has proven to be the perfect winger for Andy Farrell’s complex attacking systems.

63. Tommy Freeman – England - Utility Back 

Ascending to the top of the English outside back pecking order, debate rages as to whether his future lives out on the flanks or in the center. 

Wherever he may end up, the powerhouse youngster has arrived at the perfect time to replace Manu Tuilagi as the heavyweight hitter in the English backline. 

64. Jack Crowley – Ireland - Fly-Half

‘You never want to be the guy who takes over from the THE GUY.

In the case of Jack Crowley, this statement couldn’t be further from the truth, as the young Munster fly-half continues to bed in as the successor to the iconic Jonathan Sexton. 

Stacked the gills with talent, Crowley is a big-game player who has passed every test thrown his way. 

Now clearly head and shoulders above the other Irish fly-half options, he looks set to be the main protagonist for the men in green over the next four years.

65. Sione Tuipulotu – Scotland - Center

One half of the Scottish Rugby ‘Huwipulotu’ phenomenon, the Glasgow Warriors center was the key player to his side winning the 2023-2024 BKT URC title. 

For Scotland, he combines brute force with guile and an extensive skillset.

66. James Ryan – Ireland - Secondrow

Long touted as the future Ireland captain, the Leinster lock is enduring a career hiccup at the moment, having lost his place in the starting lineup. 

Despite this, he remains a world-class talent who has a major impact every time he enters the fray. 

Combining physicality with an exceptional rugby intelligence, Ryan is the complete package in the second row.

67. Gael Fickou – France - Center

French Rugby’s calming and experienced presence in the midfield, Fickou has grown from a young star to key leader for Les Bleus. 

Playing alongside a group of stars, Fickou, who himself is a highly talented operator, is the conductor who pulls is all together. 

68. Jamie George – England - Hooker

England’s new captain, the veteran hooker is the perfect leader to take over from the talismanic figure of Owen Farrell. 

Understated, and perhaps underrated, George has been one of the best in the world in his position since making his debut in 2015. 

Uber consistent, even when England hasn't been at its best, he is a well-rounded frontrow who does everything to an exceptional level. 

Throw into the mix his leadership, and George is the tide that lifts all those around him.

69. Reiko Ioane – New Zealand - Center 

Carving out a top-notch career since replacing Julian ‘the bus’ Savea before the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour, the versatile Blues star has made the midfield his home. 

Possessing a remarkable burst of explosive power that sees him shred through the heart of opposing defenses, Ioane relishes playing outside the creative All Blacks playmakers in the halfbacks.

70. Canan Moodie – South Africa - Utility Back 

Arguably the most exciting young talent in the world a season ago, the Vodacom Bulls and Springboks utility back is a unique talent. 

Characterized by his pace off the mark and ability to counter attack, Moodie’s most underrated ability is his vision to spot a vulnerable gap in attack and to see opponent attacking patterns unfold while on defense. 

71. Ollie Lawrence – England - Center

England’s new central cog in the backline, Lawrence is the ultimate pressure valve for Steve Borthwick’s young fly-halves Fin Smith and his namesake Marcus Smith. 

When facing pressure, Lawrence takes the onus upon himself to get his team on the front foot, while his communication on defense has shored up the new English rush system. 

In attack, Lawrence combines soft hands with brute force to create the ultimate momentum-generating presence in the No. 12 shirt.

72. Taniela Tupou – Australia - Prop

The ‘Tongan Thor’ is a specimen of note with his strongman-level strength packing a serious punch at scrum time and more noticeably as a carrier and tackler. 

In simple terms, colliding with Tupou is the equivalent of running into a giant sequoia tree.

73. Henry Slade – England - Center

Bringing a suave element to the England backline since 2015, Slade is a cool customer who never appears flustered. 

Seeing things others don’t, Slade is the perfect second distributor and playmaker in the England backline. 

Employing a razor-sharp kicking game with a pinpoint passing ability, he is the full package and a unique operator in comparison to just about every other top class international outside center. 

74. Faf de Klerk – South Africa - Scrum-Half 

The blonde bomber is the epitome of David vs. Goliath. The Springboks double World Cup-winning scrum-half is a nuggetty pest who frustrates the living daylights out of opponents. 

More importantly, however, he is a doer who makes things happen even when his team is not in the ascendancy. Whether it's a sniping run, crucial pass or monster tackle, de Klerk is the guy you love to hate and the one your girlfriend told you not to worry about, but you certainly should.

75. Ethan de Groot – New Zealand - Prop

Very much the one that got away for Australian Rugby, as the Gold Coast born frontrower defected to the black shirt having grown up in New Zealand. 

In short, de Groot’s ascension could not have come at a better time for the All Blacks, who have seen several top-class front-row forwards move on in recent years.

76. Sevu Reece – New Zealand - Winger

A jack-in-the-box-style player who pops up all over the shop and more often than not finds a soft shoulder to burst through. 

Certainly not lacking in the pace department, Reece’s biggest strength is to isolate a vulnerable defender and either overpower him or simply step around him.

77. Paolo Garbisi – Italy - Fly-Half 

Italian Rugby’s very own Alessandro Del Piero, Garbisi is a technically gifted player, but it is flair and burning passion for the Italian shirt that is more impressive. 

Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Garbisi fights for every inch and is the key driver of his side’s up-tempo, line testing attack. 

78. Charles Ollivon – France - Backrow

French Rugby’s pillar of strength, Ollivon is a key veteran leader in the squad in what is his 10th season with Les Bleus. 

Physically, Ollivon is the prototypical modern backrow who utilizes his rangy frame as a dangerous aerial option in the wide channels. 

At line-out time, he reigns supreme, while his physicality at the breakdown sets the platform for the lightening quick French attack.

79. Ben Tameifuna – Tonga - Prop

Quite possibly the heaviest player at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Tongan powerhouse is a sight to behold in full flight. 

What makes him so remarkable is not the power you expect with a man of his stature but his outlandish work rate that sees him going for 70+ minutes on a regular basis. 

Enjoy him while he is here, as athletes like him don’t come around very often.

80. Tommy Reffell – Wales - Backrow 

Welsh Rugby’s breakdown artist, the Leicester Tiger can contort himself into the most unusual of positions as he limpets himself onto the ball. 

For all of the rave reviews around his breakdown work, Reffell is an exceptional distributor who plays a similar style game to Irish star Josh van der Flier. 

Top 100 Rugby Players In The World: Read The Player Breakdowns

• Best Rugby Players In The World 1-20
• Best Rugby Players In The World 21-40
• Best Rugby Players In The World 41-60
• Best Rugby Players In The World 61-80
• Best Rugby Players In The World 81-100

World Rugby Rankings On July 8

Here are the latest rankings from World Rugby: 

1. South Africa, 94.86
2. Ireland, 90.37
3. New Zealand, 90.12
4. France, 88.49
5. England, 85.66
6. Scotland, 82.82
7. Argentina, 80.10
8. Australia, 78.15
9. Italy, 77.99
10. Fiji, 77.44

Here are the full rankings.

Where To Watch Summer Rugby Internationals 2024?

In the USA, FloRugby will broadcast some of the best international rugby fixtures of 2024.

South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and England will play matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

How To Watch International Rugby In USA?

FloRugby broadcasts dozens of international rugby matches throughout the year, including the summer rugby internationals from July to September. 

How To Watch Rugby Matches In the United States On FloRugby

The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social

• Follow us on Twitter @florugby
• Follow us on Instagram @florugby
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook