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
I do not really get why put Ollivon at 6 when he’s a 7, while Cros was the best Frenchman of the tournament, playing at…6. His only game replacing Aldritt at 8 doesn’t change much in terms of his impact. Lamaro was also outstanding in that brilliant Italian side, probably better than Reffell. So putting 2 Welsh players from the wooden spoon holders, and none of the 4th nation (Scotland) is also strange. Is it about showing that in this harsh transition Wales is, there were some standouts…?
6 Go to commentsThe events at this year’s six nations should undermine many of the arguments made against promotion and relegation between the six nations and the REC. If Italy had been allowed to yo-yo between divisions it conceivably could have really hurt their development, but if Italy, Wales, and Scotland are all at risk of relegation, with none of them being relegated more often than once every 3 or 4 years, you’d have to back all of them to muddle on through it, especially when you factor in the likelihood they’ll still be guaranteed world league matches against tier 1 opponents. Another way of looking at italys resurgence would be to say that the development model of adding an extra team to the six nations has worked, and now must be done again. Georgia could join to make it a 7 team round robin, and if and when Georgia demonstrate an ability to consistently win games, Portugal can also be added to make it an 8 team 2 conference competition. Frankly at this point I think it falls to world rugby to demand that the 6N act in the interests of the game. If the 6N won’t commit to expansion then the 6N teams should be handicapped in world cup draws (i.e. world cup seedings would not be based on their ranking points, but on their ranking points minus a 5 point penalty).
5 Go to commentsSteve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
27 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
6 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
6 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
27 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
21 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
27 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
27 Go to comments