Ranked! The 10 best second-row's in the world!
Yesterday at 01:32 PM
They're tall, terrifying, and the beating heart of every great pack – welcome to the land of the locks.
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Whether they're smashing rucks, stealing lineouts, or galloping like wild horses downfield, the modern second-row does it all. But who’s ruling the roost in 2025?
We've crunched the form, watched the tape, and maybe thrown a dart or two – here's our definitive* (*arguably) ranking of the 10 best second-rows on the planet right now.
10. Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
He's the Barrett that doesn't kick goals or burn defenders, but Scott's sheer grit, leadership, and physicality keep him locked into the All Blacks engine room. Whether he's bullying at the breakdown or bossing the set-piece, Barrett is crucial to New Zealand's forward platform.
9. Thibaud Flament (France)
Tall, elegant, and surprisingly athletic, Flament brings basketball bounce to the French pack. His offloading game and mobility make him a line-breaking menace, and he's proving to be the perfect partner for any enforcer beside him.
8. Levani Botia (Fiji)
Yes, we know – technically he's a back-rower too. But when Fiji need to go full chaos mode, Botia slots in at lock and wreaks havoc. One of the most feared tacklers in the game, the "Demolition Man" plays like every breakdown owes him money.
7. Mickaël Guillard (France)
One of the breakout beasts of the past year, Guillard has exploded into the spotlight. He's raw, relentless, and rising fast – think of him as the French version of a wrecking ball with legs. You've been warned.
6. Tupou Vaa'i (New Zealand)
The silent assassin of the All Blacks pack, Vaa'i rarely grabs headlines – but real rugby heads know. With smooth handling, great work rate, and a serious presence in the tight stuff, he's quietly become a lock of real class.
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