How the heights and weights of wingers compare across the Premiership, Top 14 and PRO14
When looking at some of the world’s finest wingers over the past decade or so, each player seems to be unique from their rivals. From a colossus in the form of Julian Savea to the diminutive Shane Williams, there has been such an assortment of players to wear the No11 and No14 shirts, each impressing their own individual stamp on the game.
When it comes to the wingers across the European leagues, it may be hard to determine whether there are any trends within each of the top tournaments, France’s Top 14, England’s Gallagher Premiership and the Guinness PRO14.
It’s a position where there is a large degree of creative licence for players and teams apropos of size of players compared to other positions on the field where there are particular physical demands.
As a result, a team like Montpellier can have the 1.94m (6ft 4ins)/130kgs (20st 7lbs) Nemani Nadolo on one wing, and the 1.73m (5ft 8ins)/74kgs (11st 9lbs) Gabriel Ngandebe on the other. These two may be on the extreme ends of the scale, but there is rarely such a vast chasm in the size of two players in the same position.
The best round of fixtures to compare each league was probably the first weekend in January, which was sufficiently spaced between the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations. As it turns out, the season-stopping Covid-19 outbreak has meant some players used in this comparison have already left their clubs ahead of the new Top 14 season, or the resumption of the Premiership and PRO14.
However, the majority are still with the same clubs and their statistics have been taken from their club’s website. Across the three leagues, the average height of wingers is very close to being identical. In both the Top 14 and the PRO14, the average height of left wingers on this weekend was 1.83m (6ft) and 1.84m (6ft) for right wingers, making an average of 1.84m (6ft). The Premiership differed marginally, with both wingers averaging 1.84m (6ft).
This by no means signifies that all the players are a uniform height, though, as seen with some positions elsewhere. In the Top 14, 14 per cent of players were above 1.9m and eleven per cent were below 1.8m, while 21 per cent were above 1.9m and 18 per cent below 1.8m in the PRO14. The Premiership was slightly more settled, with 80 per cent of players standing between 1.8m and 1.89m.
While height is beneficial in the back three to provide greater aerial strength, it is certainly not a necessity. Toulouse and South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe was the shortest winger in Europe on this January weekend at 1.71m (5ft 7ins), but he is arguably the most potent outside back in the game currently.
The scattergun results in terms of the height of wingers on this particular weekend was also matched by the weights. Once again, the Top 14 and PRO14 were fairly well matched with an average in France of 90.5kgs (14st 4lbs) [left wing 90kgs (14st 2lbs), right wing 91kgs (14st 5lbs)], and an average in the PRO14 of 91.5kgs (14st 8lbs) [left wing 90kgs (14st 2lbs), right wing 93kgs (14st 9lbs)].
Meanwhile, the average weight of wingers in the Premiership was quite a bit more than the other two leagues at 95.5kgs (15st1lb). Left wings in England averaged 95kgs (14st 13lbs) while right wings averaged 96kgs (15st 2lbs).
It may surprise some that the Top 14, which boasts players like Nadolo (by far the heaviest winger in Europe on this gameweek) and Josua Tuisova, would actually be the lightest on average, but for every one winger over 100kgs in France, there were two under 80kgs, which once again exemplifies this wild range of sizes.
Likewise, at 109kgs (17st 2lbs), Ospreys and Wales’ George North was heavier than any player in England during this round of fixtures. However, a quarter of wingers in England were over 100kgs, more than the other two leagues.
What’s more, not only were there no wingers below 80kgs in England, but there were only two (eight per cent) between 80kgs and 89kgs, noticeably less than the other two leagues.
ICYMI: Nemani Nadolo spoke to RugbyPass about signing for Leicester, the French lifestyle and his Fijian-style generosity https://t.co/UKLAO33VJ5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 15, 2020
This is not out of keeping with the Premiership, which also fielded heavier centres in this round of fixtures. It is a league that favours heavier backs, and it is perhaps befitting that Nadolo is Leicester Tigers-bound next month.
While all leagues would have been without players on this weekend, some of the behemoths of the Premiership – such as Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga and Northampton Saints’ Taqele Naiyaravoro (who is taller and heavier than Nadolo) – were missing despite being regulars for their teams when fit. This would only have pushed the averages higher.
Yet, while it does appear that the Premiership favours heavier wingers judging by this specific gameweek, there was still quite a variety of heights and weights of players. When looking at the Top 14, two of the league’s best wingers in recent seasons have been Kolbe and Tuisova who are vastly different players but irrepressible in their own right.
Those two players ultimately embody the idea that variety comes with the territory in the wider channels. So while each league looks to have its tropes, it is still a position that has a lot of freedom regarding the size of players.
GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP WINGERS
Left wing average: 1.84m (6ft)/95kgs (14st 13lbs)
Right wing average: 1.84m (6ft)/96kgs (15st 2lbs)
Overall: 1.84m (6ft)/95.5kgs (15st1lb)
Bath
Left Wing: Anthony Watson – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
Right wing: Semesa Rokoduguni – 1.84m (6ft)/102kgs (16st 1lb)
Bristol Bears
LW: Alapati Leiua – 1.82m (6ft)/100kgs (15st 11lbs)
RW: Toby Fricker – 1.85m (6ft 1ins)/98kgs (15st 6lbs)
Exeter Chiefs
LW: Olly Woodburn – 1.88m (6ft 2ins)/98kgs (15st 6lbs)
RW: Jack Nowell – 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/98kgs (15st 6lbs)
Gloucester
LW: Ollie Thorley – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/97kgs (15st 4lbs)
RW: Tom Marshall – 1.83m (6ft)/91kgs (14st 5lbs)
Harlequins
LW: Vereniki Goneva – 1.75m (5ft 9ins)/102kgs (16st 1lb)
RW: Gabriel Ibitoye – 1.78m (5ft 10ins)/92kgs (14st 7lbs)
Leicester Tigers
LW: Jonny May – 1.87m (6ft 2ins)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
RW: Jordan Olowofela – 1.88m (6ft 2ins)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
London Irish
LW: Ollie Hassell-Collins – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/99kgs (15st 8lbs)
RW: Belgium Tuatagaloa – 1.88m (6ft 2ins)/106kgs (16st 10lbs)
Northampton Saints
LW: Tom Collins – 1.83m (6ft)/96kgs (15st 2lbs)
RW: Ahsee Tuala – 1.89m (6ft 2ins)/107kgs (17st)
Saracens
LW: Alex Lewington – 1.83m (6ft)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
RW: Rotimi Segun – 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/92kgs (14st 7lbs)
Sale Sharks
LW: Byron McGuigan – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/94kgs (14st 11lbs)
RW: Chris Ashton – 1.83m (6ft)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
Wasps
LW: Marcus Watson – 1.78m (5ft 10ins)/88kgs (13st 12lbs)
RW: Zach Kibirige – 1.78m (5ft 10ins)/83kgs (13st 1lb)
Worcester Warriors
LW: Tom Howe – 1.83m (6ft)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
RW: Ed Fidow – 1.88m (6ft 2ins)/100kgs (15st 11lbs)
GUINNESS PRO14 WINGERS
Left wing average: 1.83m (6ft)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Right wing average: 1.84m (6ft)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
Overall: 1.835m (6ft)/91.5kgs (14st 8lbs)
Cardiff Blues
LW: Josh Adams – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/94kgs (14st 11lbs)
RW: Owen Lane – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/100kgs (15st 11lbs)
Cheetahs
LW: Rabz Maxwane – 1.81m (5ft 11ins)/83kgs (13st 1lb)
RW: Craig Barry – 1.82m (6ft)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Connacht
LW: John Porch – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/82kgs (12st 13lbs)
RW: Niyi Adeolokun – 1.83m (6ft)/89kgs (14st)
Dragons
LW: Rio Dyer – 1.86m (6ft 1in)/84kgs (13st 3lbs)
RW: Jared Rosser – 1.83m (6ft)/97kgs (15st 4lbs)
Edinburgh
LW: Duhan van der Merwe – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/106kgs (16st 10lbs)
RW: Eroni Sau – 1.86m (6ft 1in)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
Glasgow Warriors
LW: Niko Matawalu – 1.78m (5ft 10ins)/85kgs (13st 5lbs)
RW: Kyle Steyn – 1.82m (6ft)/102kgs (16st 1lb)
Leinster
LW: Fergus McFadden – 1.83m (6ft)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
RW: Dave Kearney- 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Munster
LW: Keith Earls – 1.78m (5ft 10ins)/87kgs (13st 10lbs)
RW: Andrew Conway – 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Scarlets
LW: Steff Evans – 1.78m (5ft 10ins)/82kgs (12st 13lbs)
RW: Ryan Conbeer – 1.78m (5ft 10ins)/91kgs (14st 5lbs)
Southern Kings
LW: Erich Cronje – 1.82m (6ft)/91kgs (14st 5lbs)
RW: Yaw Penxe – 1.82m (6ft)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Ospreys
LW: Luke Morgan – 1.75m (5ft 9ins)/81kgs (12st 11lbs)
RW: George North – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/109kgs (17st 2lbs)
Treviso
LW: Monty Ioane – 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/95kgs (14st 13lbs)
RW: Leonardo Sarto – 1.93m (6ft 4 ins)/91kgs (14st 5lbs)
Ulster
LW: Jacob Stockdale – 1.91m (6ft 3ins)/103kgs (16st 3lbs)
RW: Robert Baloucoune – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Zebre
LW: Mattia Bellini – 1.93m (6ft 4ins)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
RW: Charlie Walker – 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/85kgs (12st 4lbs)
TOP 14 WINGERS
Left wing average: 1.83m (6ft)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Right wing average: 1.84m (6ft)/91kgs (14st 5lbs)
Overall: 1.835m (6ft)/90.5kgs (14st 4lbs)
Agen
LW: Valentin Saurs – 1.81m (5ft 11ins)/82kgs (12st 13lbs)
RW: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi – 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/90kgs (14st 2lbs)
Bayonne
LW: Remy Baget – 1.82m (6ft)/85kgs (13st 5lbs)
RW: Julien Tisseron – 1.82m (6ft)/85kgs (13st 5lbs)
Bordeaux
LW: Blair Connor – 1.83m (6ft)/84kgs (13st 3lbs)
RW: Geoffrey Cros – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/83kgs (13st 1lb)
Brive
LW: Joris Jurand – 1.88m (6ft 2ins)/99kgs (15st 8lbs)
RW: Axel Muller – 1.83 (6ft)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
Castres
LW: Filipo Nakosi – 1.83m (6ft)/98kgs (15st 6lbs)
RW: Martin Laveau – 1.82m (6ft)/83kgs (13st 1lb)
Clermont
LW: Alivereti Raka – 1.84m (6ft)/88kgs (13st 12lbs)
RW: Damian Penaud – 1.92m (6ft 4ins)/94kgs (14st 11lbs)
La Rochelle
LW: Vincent Rattez – 1.81m (5ft 11ins)/77kgs (12st 2lbs)
RW: Jules Favre – 1.81m (5ft 11ins)/88kgs (13st 12lbs)
Lyon
LW: Noa Nakaitaci – 1.9m (6ft 3ins)/96kgs (15st 2lbs)
RW: Josua Tuisova – 1.8m (5ft 11ins)/108kgs (17st)
Montpellier
LW: Nemani Nadolo – 1.94m (6ft 4ins)/130kgs (20st 7lbs)
RW: Gabriel Ngandebe – 1.73m (5ft 8ins)/74kgs (11st 9lbs)
Pau
LW: Watisoni Votu – 1.87m (6ft 2ins)/95kgs (14st 13lbs)
RW: Vincent Pinto – 1.87m (6ft 2ins)/93kgs (14st 9lbs)
Racing 92
LW: Louis Dupichot – 1.83m (6ft)/86kgs (13st 8lbs)
Right wing: Teddy Thomas – 1.85m (6ft 1in)/98kgs (15st 6lbs)
Stade Francais
LW: Lester Etien – 1.81m (5ft 11ins)/96kgs (15st 2lbs)
RW: Sefanaia Naivalu – 1.86m/94kgs (14st 11lbs)
Toulon
LW: Gervais Cordin – 1.72m (5ft 8ins)/73kgs (11st 7lbs)
RW: Masivesi Dakuwaqa – 1.89m (6ft 2ins)/96kgs (15st 2lbs)
Toulouse
LW: Cheslin Kolbe – 1.71m (5ft 7ins)/74kgs (11st 9lbs)
RW: Yoann Huget – 1.9m (6ft 3ins)/96kgs (15st 2lbs)
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments