Power in the engine room often defines the outcome of a match, and nowhere is that more evident than in the second row.
These players bring a blend of physical dominance, set-piece excellence, and relentless work rate that can tilt the balance at the highest level.
From lineout leaders to bruising carriers and tireless defenders, the modern lock has evolved into one of the most complete roles on the pitch. Here’s a look at the best second rows in the world right now, ranked from 5 to 1.
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5. SCOTT BARRETT (NEW ZEALAND & CRUSADERS)
Powerful, composed and quietly authoritative, Scott Barrett has grown into one of the defining locks of the modern era, a forward whose influence extends far beyond the tight exchanges.
Since debuting for New Zealand in 2016, marking the occasion with a try against Ireland in Chicago, Barrett has become a mainstay of the All Blacks pack, blending physical edge with a tireless work rate and sharp rugby intelligence.
A product of Taranaki’s rich rugby heartland, Barrett’s rise has been intertwined with one of the sport’s most famous families, making history alongside brothers Beauden and Jordie in 2017 as the first trio to feature in the same All Blacks squad. Yet his achievements stand firmly on their own merit. A stalwart of the Crusaders’ dynasty, Barrett has been central to multiple Super Rugby titles, providing the steel and consistency that underpin sustained success.
Appointed All Blacks captain in 2024, Barrett’s leadership reflects his character—calm, resilient and relentlessly driven. Whether calling the lineout, anchoring the scrum or carrying in heavy traffic, he sets the tone through action as much as voice.
In an era demanding more from second rows than ever before, Barrett exemplifies the modern lock: athletic, intelligent and uncompromising, a cornerstone of New Zealand’s forward dominance. A true leader in every sense, the no-nonsense lock weathered the storm of the Scott Robertson era and will now guide the All Blacks into a fresh start. Ollie Chessum
It’s easy to spot the towering 6ft 7in figure of Ollie Chessum on the pitch. Chessum rapidly climbed through the ranks of Leicester’s academy before moving on to Championship club Nottingham for a brief spell. He now finds himself playing a pivotal role in the Tigers side. The 6ft 7in lock featured in Steve Borthwick’s squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France and started alongside Maro Itoje in the side’s Bronze Final match against Argentina. Chessum was recently named in Borthwick’s squad ahead of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2025.
4. MICKAEL GUILLARD (FRANCE & LYON OU)
Mickaël Guillard is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting second rows in world rugby, a modern lock whose athleticism and versatility mark him out as a player of rare potential. The 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations was the true break-out of Guillard, as France head coach Fabien Galthie entrusted him as a reliable, first choice lock.
Standing just shy of two metres, the Lyon forward combines physical presence with a relentless engine, evolving from a dependable workhorse into a dynamic ball-carrier capable of shifting momentum in an instant.
Developed at RC Massy before joining Lyon in 2020, Guillard’s rise has been steady rather than explosive, but no less impressive. By the 2023–24 campaign he had cemented himself as a regular starter, despite operating outside the traditional European powerhouses. That context only enhances his reputation, as Guillard has become a standout performer in a Lyon side often competing against more star-studded opposition.
His international breakthrough arrived in 2024, debuting for France on their tour of Argentina before quickly becoming a regular feature across the Autumn Series and Six Nations campaigns. A two-time Six Nations winner, Guillard announced himself on the global stage with a standout 2026 Championship, where his dominance in the air and ability to disrupt opposition lineout ball proved invaluable.
Still only 25, Guillard represents the prototype of the modern lock, as he is mobile, skilful and relentlessly physical. With his trajectory suggesting he is only just scratching the surface of his immense potential, we hand the entry to Guillard ahead of his French teammate Thibaud Flament following an outstanding run of current form.
