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How the heights and weights of locks compare across the Premiership, Top 14 and PRO14
By Josh Raisey
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.
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)
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Latest Comments
Yeah I reckon Savea could show himself to be like McCaw in that respect, remodel himself to play how the team/game needed or changed. He started playing different when he moved into 8 I reckon, and I think he’s got a lot of those skills to shift back to 7 too. But you pretty much describe him as he is now, playing 8. Who’s going to be that dirty guy cleaning rucks and making tackles if Ardie is at 7? Sititi at 8? No, he’s basically doing what you describe of Ardie. Barrett? I think he’d be an excellent muscle man to replace and more importantly, improve on what Cane provided.\
Yeah I’m still wanting to give DP a shot, Super form is not everything, and maybe after a taste of playing against England, possible New Zealands toughest opponents last year, maybe his trying to hone a test game.
It’s not, but it’s terribly complicated for us part timers to discuss are few factors online when all the bigger picture can be taken into context (and which your reader my not be on the same track with). I really like to try and get somewhere succinctly when having a quick back and forth online, which is why I ask a specific question when really no one in that actual position is going to think about it like that, you’re right.
I asked it because I suspected you answer was just along those same lines indicating his strengths now as an 8. So were sorta coming around to your argument of wanting to put the bigger picture on it when I question how you’re going to fit “Cane” into the team.
I really agree with that, but would go even further in saying its improvement from much more than the “trio” that’s needed to be able to bust games open again like that. A lot of it was much better last year, with the props and second row getting involved in some nice breaks, but certainly there was still far too much one out rugby and they were always the worst at getting over the gainline. I’d actually say they need more of a team contributor than Ardiea Savea’s individual brilliance to improve in that area. Ardie is the toughest and most succesful at getting them on the front foot when they are really playing that one out simple hit up or pick and go structure, but I think they need, as I actually referred in the 7, someone running on the shoulder of another, willing to give the player that option and keep the defence guessing. Obviously players carrying need to be comfortable flicking the ball on last second etc, but I actually see Ardie as being someone with the least skills in either of those areas in the current squad. He is perhaps the two pass wide midfield carry man in place of Jordie and Rieko, enough ferocity to break tough midfield tackles and get an offload away if he wins that contact. Now that I think of it, having Ardie in the team may be a key factory in why the team is so poor in showing trickery and deception before the tackle happens, like where other teams prefer to work space. I’ve never really thought the ABs simply have the worst runners?
Sotutu is a key man in that area of the game for me, he is the one player in NZ that is so adept at passing to the right runner. Kirifi would be perfect for being that guy as far as a loosie option for me, as far as this article goes. Sititi as the alround runner and distribute from the bench, and Ardie being able to play in whatever role is missing, or needed more, are how I can see some of the other ‘trio’ facets working too.
Go to commentsFrance using the 7-1, England using the 6-2, Ireland and Scotland have used it a few times as well and many nations are starting to adopt it. The reality is the game is changing. Administrators have made it faster and that is leading to more significant drop offs in the forwards. You have 2 options. Load your bench with forwards or alter your player conditioning which might mean more intense conditioning for forwards and a drop off in bulk. The game can still be played many ways. Every nation needs to adapt in their own way to suit their strengths. France have followed the Springbok model of tight forwards being preferred because it suits them. They have huge hunks of meat and the bench is as good as the starters so why not go for it? The Springboks have also used hybrids like Kwagga Smith, Schalk Britz, Deon Fourie, Franco Mostert and others. England are following that model instead and by putting 3 loosies there who can do damage in defence and make the breakdown a mess in the final quarter. It worked well against Wales but will be interested to see how it goes going forward against better opposition who can threaten their lineout and scrum. All the talk around bench limitations to stop the 7-1 and 6-2 for me is nonsense. Coaches who refuse to innovate want to keep the game the same and make it uniform and sameness is bad for fans. The bench composition adds jeopardy and is a huge debate point for fans who love it. Bench innovations have not made the game worse, they have made it better and more watchable. They challenge coaches and teams and that’s what fans want. What we need now is more coaches to innovate. There is still space for the 5-3 or even a 4-4 if a coach is willing to take it on and play expansive high tempo possession-based rugby with forwards who are lean and mean and backs who are good over the ball. The laws favour that style more than ever before. Ireland are too old to do it now. Every team needs to innovate to best suit their style and players so I hope coaches and pundits stop moaning about forwards and benches and start to find different ways to win.
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