How the heights and weights of locks compare across the Premiership, Top 14 and PRO14
A lot is demanded from second rows in the modern game as it is one position that has had to evolve with changing demands. Lumbering giants who were used as ballast in the scrum and elevation in the lineout are now replaced by far more athletic players who pose many more threats around the field. Yet, the strength at the set-piece is still a prerequisite for any lock.
While there may not be as much variation between locks as there is with other positions in the game, there are still nuances and subtle differences in how the game is approached in different parts of the world. For instance, South Africa has a long history of producing monstrous locks, something visible in their recent World Cup victory where they opted for four in their matchday 23.
There are also differences across Europe when comparing the height and weight of locks in the top three leagues, France’s Top 14, England’s Gallagher Premiership and the Guinness PRO14, which reflects the different styles. A good round of fixtures to compare the leagues was the first weekend of January as it fell between the RWC and the Six Nations and came before the European fixtures and the suspension of rugby due to the coronavirus pandemic. We have sifted through the size of every starting lock in all fixtures and calculated an average.
It’s unsurprising when looking at the three leagues that locks in the Top 14 were the tallest, averaging 1.99m (6ft 6ins). This was almost 2cms taller than both the Premiership, 1.98m (6ft 6ins), and the PRO14, 1.98m (6ft 6ins). The French league is characterised by its focus on set-piece, which is why teams tend to operate with larger back row players as well to provide more options at the lineout and weight in the scrum.
While the Top 14 fields taller players, what is most noticeable is that 57 per cent of the locks in the league were 2m (6ft 7ins) and over, with Toulouse’s Rory Arnold being the tallest in Europe on this particular weekend at 2.08m (6ft 10ins). This is compared to only 33 per cent in the Premiership and 32 per cent in the PRO14.
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Meanwhile, all three leagues barely fielded any players under 1.95m (6ft 5ins), which would be nearing the shorter end of the spectrum for locks. Only 14 per cent in the Top14 and the PRO14 were under 1.95m – and 17 per cent were in the Premiership. This suggests there is a minimum standard for the height of a lock that none of the leagues chooses to go below.
What is apparent is the smallest locks tend to be back rows who have moved into the engine room. All four of the smallest second rows in the Premiership, at 1.92m (6ft 4ins), can also play at flanker or No8, while the shortest lock in the Top 14 was France’s Gillian Galan, 1.93m (6ft 4ins), who was making a rare excursion into the second row from the base of the scrum, a position he is far more accustomed to.
Although it does not come as a surprise that the Top 14 offered the tallest players, it is interesting that it didn’t have the heaviest. The Premiership was the heaviest league on average at 117.7kgs (18st 8lbs), although the Top 14 was virtually identical, 117.5kgs.
The similarities did not end there, however, as France had 39 per cent of players over 120kgs (18st 13lbs) compared to England’s 38 per cent, and only seven per cent under 110kgs (17st 5lbs) compared to none in England. So not only was the average weight of players the same, the range of weights was more or less identical in France and England.
These two leagues differ from the PRO14, which had an average weight of 114kgs (17st 13lbs) on this weekend. This may be down to a stylistic differentiation between the leagues, as it has frequently been seen that the PRO14 opts for smaller players, particularly in the pack, which may facilitate a faster league. Only eleven per cent of players in this league were over 120kgs (18st 13lbs), which is quite a drop from the Anglo-French percentage, while another 18 per cent were under 110kgs (17st 5lbs), which is a rise from their European counterparts.
The lighter locks in the PRO14 are simply consistent with the other positions in the pack, who are typically lighter than the more ‘pack heavy’ French and English leagues.
Ultimately, there is not a huge amount of differentiation in height between the three leagues as there are general requirements of a lock. In terms of weight, though, there is a bit more variation, as some players are lighter than second rows of a previous era.
Ireland’s James Ryan, who is one of the leading locks in the world, weighs in at 107kgs on the Leinster website, far below the average of the PRO14. Likewise, England’s Maro Itoje, who could well be Ryan’s partner for the British and Irish Lions next summer, also falls under the average weight in the Premiership. These two are perhaps signs of the new breed of dynamic locks, but that doesn’t exclude far bigger players as it depends on each team’s approach.
GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP – Average 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/117.7kg (18st 8lbs)
Bath
Josh McNally – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/125kg (19st 10lbs)
Elliott Stooke – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/120kg (18st 13lbs)
Bristol Bears
Ed Holmes – 1.96m (6ft 5ins)/118kg (18st 8lbs)
Chris Vui – 1.96m (6ft 5ins)/118kg (18st 8lbs)
Exeter Chiefs
Jannes Kirsten – 1.92m (6ft 4ins)/113kg (17st 11lbs)
Dave Dennis – 1.92m (6ft 4ins)/113kg (17st 11lbs)
Gloucester
Alex Craig – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/112kg (17st 9lbs)
Franco Mostert – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/112kg (17st 9lbs)
Harlequins
Stephan Lewies – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/113kg (17st 11lbs)
Matt Symons – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/120kg (18st 13lbs)
Leicester Tigers
Calum Green – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/119kg (18st 10lbs)
Tomás Lavanini – 2m01 (6ft 7ins)/130.1kg (20st 7lbs)
London Irish
Franco van der Merwe – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/116kg (18st 4lbs)
Adam Coleman – 2.07m (6ft 10ins)/122kg (19st 3lbs)
Northampton Saints
Alex Moon – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/123kg (19st 5lbs)
Dave Ribbans – 2.02m (6ft 8ins)/121kg (19st 1lb)
Sale Sharks
Bryn Evans – 1.96m (6ft 5ins)/115kg (18st 2lbs)
Jean-Luc du Preez – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/114kg (17st 13lbs)
Saracens
Maro Itoje – 1.95m (6ft 5ins)/115kg (18st 2lbs)
Will Skelton – 2.03m (6ft 8ins)/125kg (19st 10lbs)
Worcester Warriors
Anton Bresler – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/111kg (17st 7lbs)
Graham Kitchener- 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/118kg (18st 8lbs)
Wasps
Thibaud Flament – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/110kg (17st 5lbs)
Charlie Matthews – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/121kg (19st 1lbs)
GUINNESS PRO14 – Average 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/114kg (17st 13lbs)
Benetton
Irne Philip Herbst – 2m (6ft 7ins)/120kg (18st 13lbs)
Federico Ruzza – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/108kg (17st)
Cardiff Blues
Filo Paulo – 2.03m (6ft 8ins)/122kg (19st 3lbs)
Josh Turnbull – 1m93 (6ft 4ins)/115kg (18st)
Cheetahs
Sintu Manjezi – 2m (6ft 7ins)/114kg (17st 13lbs)
Walt Steenkamp – 2m (6ft 7ins)/104kg (16st 5lbs)
Connacht
Niall Murray – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/100kg (15st 11lbs)
Gavin Thornbury – 2.04m (6ft 8ins)/117kg (18st 4lbs)
Dragons
Joe Davies – 1.97m (6ft 6ins)/109kg (17st 2lbs)
Matthew Screech – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/116kg (18st 4lbs)
Edinburgh
Lewis Carmichael – 1.96m (6ft 5ins)/110kg (17st 5lbs)
Grant Gilchrist – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/118kg (18st 8lbs)
Glasgow Warriors
Rob Harley – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/110kg (17st 5lbs)
Tim Swinson – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/112kg (17st 9lbs)
Leinster
Ross Molony – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/111kg (17st 7lbs)
James Ryan – 2.03m (6ft 8ins)/107kg (16st 9lbs)
Munster
Fineen Wycherley – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/112kg (17st 9lbs)
Darren O’Shea – 2.06m (6ft 9ins)/117kg (18st 4lbs)
Ospreys
Bradley Davies – 1m98 (6’6”) / 122kg (19st.3lb)
Adam Beard – 2m03 (6’8”) / 117kg (18st.4lb)
Scarlets
Jake Ball – 1.97m (6ft 6ins)/121kg (19st 1lb)
Tevita Ratuva – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/110kg (17st 5lbs)
Southern Kings
Jerry Sexton – 1.96m (6ft 5ins)/113kg (17st 11lbs)
Aston Fortuin – 1.97m (6ft 6ins)/114kg (17st 13lbs)
Ulster
Alan O’Connor – 1.96m (6ft 5ins)/114kg (17st 13lbs)
Iain Henderson – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/117kg (18st 4lbs)
Zebre
Dave Sisi – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/117kg (18st 4lbs)
Ian Nagle – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/113kg (17st 11lbs)
TOP 14 – Average 1.99m (6ft 6ins)/117.5kg (18st 7lbs)
Agen
Tom Murday – 2m (6ft 7ins)/118kg (18st 8lbs)
Andres Zafra – 1.97m (6ft 6ins)/116kg (18st 4lbs)
Bayonne
Mariano Galarza – 2.02m (6ft 8ins)/116kg (18st 4lbs)
Guillaume Ducat – 2.05m (6ft 9ins)/115kg (18st 2lbs)
Bordeaux
Alexandre Flanquart – 2.06m (6ft 9ins)/120kg (18st 13lbs)
Kane Douglas – 2.02m (6ft 8ins)/119kg (18st 10lbs)
Brive
Peet Marais – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/118kg (18st 8lbs)
Victor Lebas – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/105kg (16st 8lbs)
Castres
Kevin Gimeno – 1m95 (6’5”) / 106kg (16st.10lb)
Victor Moreaux – 2m (6’7”) / 123kg (19st.5lb)
Clermont
George Merrick – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/123kg (19st 5lbs)
Sebastien Vahaamahina – 2.03m (6ft 8ins)/125kg (19st 10lbs)
La Rochelle
Thomas Lavault – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/110kg (17st 5lbs)
Mathieu Tanguy – 1.94m (6ft 4ins)/110kg (17st 5lbs)
Lyon
Kilian Geraci – 2m (6ft 7ins)/111kg (17st 7lbs)
Hendrik Roodt – 1m98 (6ft 6ins)/121kg (19st 1lb)
Montpellier
Konstantine Mikautadze – 2m (6ft 7ins)/127kg (20st)
Paul Willemse – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/129kg (20st 4lbs)
Pau
Fabrice Metz – 1.98m (6ft 6ins)/120kg (18st 13lbs)
Daniel Ramsay – 1.97m (6ft 6ins)/114kg (17st 13lbs)
Racing 92
Dominic Bird – 2.06m (6ft 9ins)/112kg (17st 9lbs)
Boris Palu – 1.94m (6ft 4ins)/113kg (17st 11lbs)
Stade Francais
Yoann Maestri – 2.02m (6ft 8ins)/119kg (18st 10lbs)
Paul Gabrillagues – 1.99m (6ft 6ins)/119kg (18st 10lbs)
Toulon
Romain Taofifenua – 2m (6ft 7ins)/120kg (18st 13lbs)
Swan Rebbadj – 2.01m (6ft 7ins)/112kg (17st 9lbs)
Toulouse
Rory Arnold – 2.08m (6ft 10ins)/120kg (18st 13lbs)
Gillian Galan – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/130kg (20st 7lbs)
Comments on RugbyPass
Dagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
4 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
3 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
3 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
38 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
2 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
3 Go to comments