Ryan and Furlong the only Irish named in world’s top 20

James Ryan and Tadhg Furlong are the sole Irish representatives in Rugby World's top 100 list.

The magazine do an annual list of the top 100 players from both the men's and women's game with reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Johnny Sexton dropping from 12 to 35 this year. Furlong was ranked as the ninth best player in last year's rankings and this year he has dropped down to 10th in the rankings with James Ryan joining him as the only other player in the top 20. The magazine awarded Owen Farrell the top honour last year, however, this year he has dropped outside of the top five to sixth while Alun Wyn Jones has surged up the rankings to not only break into the top 10, but to take the top honour following Wales' Grand Slam win earlier this year. Rugby World's top 20 20: James Ryan (Ireland) 19: Jonathan Davies (Wales) 18: Jamie George (England) 17: Alex Goode (England) 16: Stuart Hogg (Scotland) 15: Ardie Savea (New Zealand) 14: Peceli Yato (Fiji) 13: Faf de Klerk (South Africa) 12: Billy Vunipola (England) 11: Pauline Bourdon (France women) 10: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) 9: Viliame Mata (Fiji) 8: Finn Russell (Scotland) 7: Ben Smith (New Zealand) 6: Owen Farrell (England) 5: Liam Williams (Wales) 4: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) 3: Mako Vunipola (England) 2: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) 1: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)