Wales is represented three times among Rugby World's top 50 most Influential people in rugby.
The magazine publishes their list every two years but none of Wayne Pivac's current crop of players make the cut, though one Welsh player does: Jasmine Joyce.
The Welsh speedster is one of just six current players to feature in the top 50, coming in at 29, which puts her above the likes of Johnny Sexton, Marcus Smith and Maro Itoje. The only players ranked higher than her are South Africa's inspirational leader Siya Kolisi and Antoine Dupont, largely regarded as the best player in the world over the last two seasons.
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Of Joyce, Rugby World says: "There are those in Wales who called for change. Joyce was among them and it was perhaps her situation, as one of the sport's most high-profile players (she's the first female Grogg!), that truly captured the public's attention.
"Last September she discussed having to return to juggling a full-time job with rugby after being a pro for much of the year with Team GB.
"By the end of 2021 the WRU announced it would be introducing full-time contracts and, in January, Joyce was amongst the first dozen women's players to go pro. Inspiring the next generation of players with her skills on the pitch and inspiring change off it."
Five places behind Joyce at No. 34 is administrator Julie Paterson, who spent 32 years at the WRU, finishing up as operations director last year. She has now taken up a role with the Six Nations, where she is director of rugby. Read her full story here.
The highest Welsh representation on the list is former WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips. Originally from Fishguard, he was at the top of the WRU for five years. During his tenure, the WRU implemented the 60-cap selection policy, which remains today. He was also tasked with dealing with the Rob Howley betting scandal and the failed merger between the Ospreys and Scarlets in 2019.
Phillips is now the chair at Premiership Rugby.
"It's nearly two years since Phillips stepped down as WRU chief executive but he's been heavily involved in rugby since," says Rugby World. "He advised Silver Lake on the deal with NZ Rugby, helped to ensure the Lions' South Africa tour happened amidst all the upheaval of Covid when he came in as interim managing director last March, and was appointed chair of Premiership Rugby at the end of last year. He is also on the board of Sport United Against Dementia.
"Phillips, like CEO Simon Massie-Taylor, is keen to maximise the potential of the Premiership, be that utilising CVC's commercial expertise, bringing in new investment or investigating ideas like the Club World Championship."
According to the magazine, the top five most influential people in the game right now, in reverse order, are Claude Atcher (RWC 2023 CEO), Antoine Dupont, Ben Morel (Six Nations CEO), Nick Clarry (CVC Managing Partner) and Bernard Laporte (World Rugby Vice-President).
*The September edition of Rugby World is out now *
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