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
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments