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The Progress 1000: London's most influential people 2017 - Champions: Rugby

Maro Itoje: David Levene: Eyevine
Maro Itoje: David Levene: Eyevine

Maro Itoje

Saracens and England Forward

One of the most exciting rugby players in the world and with Beauden Barrett vying to be the most admired in the sport. Itoje is set to take the game to new heights in Europe and on the books of the same agency as Gareth Bale. Juggling media, sponsors and rugby demands will be his biggest challenge but Saracens will ensure he stays grounded and out of the news pages.

Steve Brown

RFU Chief Executive Officer

The new head of the richest and most powerful Union in the sport has an in-tray full of problems to be solved including the world rugby calendar and where the Lions fit into it. Brown, who organised the highly successful England 2015 Rugby World Cup, has to keep the Union turning over record income which gives it the power to stand up to the other nations who remain jealous of England’s place in the sport.

Owen Farrell

Saracens and England Fly-Half

His goal-kicking has become world class and makes him the No.1 with the boot in the sport. His points allowed the Lions to square the series in New Zealand and helped Saracens retain the European Champions Cup. He now wants the Premiership title back while aiming to guide Sarries to a hat-trick of European titles. Leads from the front and epitomises the way Eddie Jones wants to play in search of the World Cup.

Dylan Hartley

Northampton and England Captain

The man Eddie Jones believes is so important to England, he ignores the Northampton player’s dreadful disciplinary record as his playing skills make him the second-best hooker in England. However, he has been so influential for England, it is easy to see why Jones puts the hooker’s name down first on any team sheet. Wonderfully combative at Test level and relentless in his bid to make England No.1.

Sarah Hunter

England Women’s Rugby Captain

England’s outstanding women’s rugby captain led from the front in the recent Test series win over New Zealand on their own soil and in reaching the Women’s Rugby World Cup final before losing to the same opponents this summer. Her skills and leadership are outstanding. The women’s game is steadily growing and making an impact around the world which will continue to raise Hunter’s profile. With Hunter at the helm, England could be looking at a No.1 ranking in both the men’s and women’s games at the same time.

Eddie Jones

England Coach

Eddie Jones (Getty Images)
Eddie Jones (Getty Images)

Has turned England into the second-best team in the world and will do whatever it takes to knock New Zealand off top spot before the 2019 World Cup. Relentless in his pursuit of excellence, Jones is prepared to leave big-name players out of the squad if he believes a youngster can do a better job. Is also a leading candidate to take the Lions to South Africa in four years time.

Mark McCall

Saracens Director of Rugby

Has worked wonders at Saracens and insists he has no intention of taking over at Ireland when there is a coaching change — probably after the 2019 World Cup. Quiet and much happier when other coaches and players are in the limelight, McCall remains one of the sport’s outstanding coaches and his new signings are designed to make Sarries an even bigger force in the world game.

Chris Robshaw

Harlequins and England Forward

The Progress 1000, in partnership with Citi, and supported by Invisalign, is the Evening Standard’s celebration of the people who make a difference to London life. #progress1000
The Progress 1000, in partnership with Citi, and supported by Invisalign, is the Evening Standard’s celebration of the people who make a difference to London life. #progress1000

Has a key role still to play at Harlequins and remains one of Eddie Jones’s favourites at Test level. Has the respect of both dressing rooms and a relentless nature that makes the former England captain one of the most popular players in the game because he never takes a backward step. Now becoming one of the elder statesmen and has no intention of giving up the England No6 jersey.

Billy Vunipola

Saracens and England Forward

Missed the Lions tour due to shoulder surgery and then suffered a knee injury on Saracens duty in September. He has undergone another operation and faces a fight to be fit for the Six Nations. When he returns, he will be eager to prove why he is becoming the world’s most destructive No.8. Key to England’s hopes of World Cup success in Japan in 2019. Has helped Saracens become the top team in Europe and now needs to kick on as a leader of men.