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
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments