In the digital age, “hype” often follows players around based on the type of rugby they play and their charisma off the pitch. This means that some of the very best players in the world right now are rarely talked about and rarely talked up by pundits, commentators and social media channels.
It’s painfully obvious to me, as a sports fan, that the regular pundits and rugby influencers have their favourites – whether it’s an ex-player talking up his old mate, or a pundit who has a bias towards a certain team.
So, here’s a list for those under-appreciated and underrated men, giving them a fraction of the credit they deserve.
At a glance:
- Ben Spencer
- Gaël Fickou
- Owen Watkin
- Tommaso Allan
- Gabriel Ibitoye
- Lewis Ludlow
- Johnny Matthews
Johnny Matthews
Glasgow’s Johnny Matthews was the top try scorer at the end of the 2023/24 season with 14 tries and is currently leading the URC 2024/25 top try scorers at the time of writing. He is a prolific try scorer as a hooker, but you rarely hear about him during the punditry or analysis from the “experts”. Hookers often get themselves on the scoresheet but this man’s record is deserved of a bit more praise than he currently gets!
Lewis Ludlow
Lewis Ludlow is a consistent player, a tackling machine, and a natural leader at Gloucester Rugby. While he may not light up the world week in week out, his consistency is commendable, but it means he doesn’t get the credit he often deserves. Having only gained 2 caps for England, he hasn’t quite broken through on the international stage, but his 120+ appearances for Gloucester say it all for this one-club man.
Owen Watkin
Owen Watkin is a criminally underrated player, with over 43 caps for Wales, and 5 appearances during their 2019 Grand Slam winning campaign. He is the epitome of a defensive leader, rarely missing a tackle and reading the game as well as any centre in the URC. While he rarely crosses the whitewash, Watkin is an unselfish player who has had his moments in attack and is so under-appreciated as a distributor and playmaker, which we often see during his Ospreys performances.
Dear pundits: Stop praising your favourites based on hype — actually analyse the game and take note of this guy, like Squidge Rugby!
Gabriel Ibitoye
This guy is partial to a moment in the spotlight due to his try scoring ability, but he seems to be rarely discussed outside of the Gallagher Premiership chat. He isn’t far off the top try scorer spot in the 2024/25 Premiership competition and he’s lit the world up at times, so it’s only right that I call him out here. Will we ever see him play for England?
Tommaso Allan
It’s historically been quite difficult to look good in quite a poor Italy side, but in recent years, Italia are looking a much better side and Allan is right at the forefront of that transformation. He is incredibly versatile and often keeps Italy in touch with their opponents thanks to his reliable boot, so let’s give this 80-plus cap international some credit!
Gaël Fickou
Anyone who is rated highly by Shaun Edwards is a favourite of mine – so don’t be surprised to see Gaël Fickou here. He is another defensive master and leader, and has been a stalwart for France over the last few years. He is ever-present and often comes up with a piece of magic when France need it most, but he’s rarely talked about, partly due to the profile of the likes of Dupont, Ntamack, Ramos, and co, the French golden boys!
Ben Spencer
Despite being one of the most consistent scrum halves in the Premiership, Bath’s Ben Spencer has never really had a fair run of games in an England shirt. He made 172 appearances for an incredible Saracens side (and was a key cog in their machine) and has over 100 caps for Bath, but has gained just 10 caps for England. Spencer is able to play and lead at the highest level consistently, managing games with his boot and rugby IQ.
Final Thoughts
I don’t have a problem with hype and building up players, that’s fine and completely natural in sport. But I expect more from rugby union pundits and commentators — they consistently brag up their own favourites, flashy players and ‘hyped up’ guys with charisma, potentially blinded by the fact they have an exciting style of play occasionally.
Pundits: please take a leaf out of Squidge Rugby’s book and start analysing the game properly. Look at the stats, analyse the details and intricate plays, and start giving these unsung heroes the appreciation they deserve.
There we have it; my call-outs for the top underrated players. Who would you mention?
Let me know!
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