Top 10 Full Backs in World Rugby

Players are selected on their all round skill set as deemed critical for their respective position. Some of the skill sets marked against for full backs are: positional sense, football skills, ability under the high ball, kicking game, defensive ability, counter attacking abilities and try scoring records.

10. Scott Spedding

France

The South African born Frenchman, has won 7 caps for France, and is a big full back who can counter very well and is strong in the contact area. He has a battle on his hands for the French 15 shirt with Brice Dulin, which will be interesting to watch, but for me, Spedding just edges it.

9. Rob Kearney

Ireland

63 caps for Ireland and 2 time British and Irish Lions tourist, Kearney is outstanding under the high ball, a decent counter attacker and has a great kicking game. He has a booming left foot with some great distance in his touch finders. The last couple of years he has not been at his very best due to a number of injuries, however at 29 years of age, if can get a consistent run of matches, he can reach the heights that he found a few years back.

8. Mike Brown

England

37 caps for England and 6 tries. The 2014 6 Nations player of the tournament, Brown vied with Ben Foden for a couple of years over the England 15 shirt but is now the regular in that position. He is good under the high ball, brave in defence, and has an excellent kicking game. He has picked up a few injuries in last few months, but if fully fit, will be a big player for England come the World Cup.

7. Leigh Halfpenny

Wales

60 caps for his country and 2 time British and Irish Lions tourist. He is the greatest place kicker in the world in my opinion, has the heart of a lion in defence and is outstanding under the high ball. Despite being a former winger, for me his counter attacking and coming into the line in attack are areas he can still work on. One thing not in doubt though: he is a fantastic rugby player.

6. Liam Williams

Wales

23 caps for Wales and a fantastic defender, and like other full backs in this list, outstanding under the high ball. His kicking game is not as strong as some of the others, however as a counter attacker is one of the very best. He can at times take risks in his offloading game, and he needs to keep a lid on his discipline. There is a bone of contention in Wales over where he and Halfpenny should play; Gatland playes Williams as a winger and Halfpenny as the full back, however I would go with Williams at full back and Halfpenny on the wing personally.

5. Israel Dagg

New Zealand

48 caps for the All Blacks. Dagg can have some inconsistencies, but when on form is an excellent full back, good under the high ball. He is also an excellent attacker and has a good try scoring record, with 15 tries. Has a battle for the 15 shirt though, with Ben Smith pushing him very hard.

4. Stuart Hogg

Scotland

32 caps for Scotland and a British and Irish Lions tourist.  Over the last 12 months this player has really improved, proving excellent under the high ball, and honing his excellent kicking game.  His attacking prowess and counter attacking is at the very very top level, and he has scored 9 tries for his country.  At 23 years of age, he is still to reach his peak.

3. Ben Smith

New Zealand

38 caps for New Zealand. Has played a number of games on the wing but arguably his best position is full back. Rarely makes a mistake, and his all round game is outstanding, in defence and attack. Outstanding player.

2. Israel Folau

Australia

29 caps for Australia with 17 tries.  The rugby league convert is a freak of a rugby player and I mean this as a compliment. In attack he can score tries from anywhere on the pitch, his running abillty is scary and at six foot five and over sixteen stone, has the pace and power to beat anyone.  Is outstanding under the high ball, his kicking game can leave a lot to be desired as can his positional play, but with his football ability gets away with it.  Has been played centre and wing as well and is hard to say if better or worse in those positions, just an exceptional footballer.

1. Willie Le Roux

South Africa

27 caps for South Africa.  Played a number of times on the wing but now playing regularly at full back.  Has scored 8 tries to date for the Springboks, for me this player has is the most complete full back in the world, when looking at the attributes.  Outstanding under the high ball, great kicking game, great counter attacker and hits the line in attack with real menace, has it all.  Is a natural footballer, started off his first class rugby career as a fly half.  I remember him playing against Wales in 2014 when Wales toured, and he was unbelievably good that day, scoring a try and key assists in 3 other tries.

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Filed under: Features
Written by: Craig Muncey
Follow: @CraigMuncey · @therugbymag