Louis Rees-Zammit has come within 0.05 seconds of beating a world champion sprinter. Remarkably, the Wales star doesn't even top our list of rugby's fastest-ever players.
The 25-year-old clocked an astonishing 4.59 seconds over 40 metres against Jeremiah Azu, the 2025 world indoor 60m champion.
Azu finished in 4.54 seconds, leaving the former NFL hopeful just five hundredths of a second behind.
Rees-Zammit's remarkable sprint challenge has reignited the debate over who really is rugby's fastest-ever player.
From World Cup legends to Premiership speedsters, we've ranked 10 of the quickest players to play the 15-a-side game.
And there are a few surprises.
Our ranking considers reported sprint times, top speeds and performances on the pitch. It is an editorial selection rather than an official speed record.
10. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
The original rugby superstar was a terrifying combination of speed and power.
Standing 6ft 5in and weighing around 120kg, Lomu famously demolished England at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
The fact he could move so quickly at that size made him almost impossible to stop.
9. Jonny May (England)
Few England players have possessed the raw pace of Jonny May.
The Gloucester legend scored 36 tries in 78 England appearances and was famous for his acceleration.
His incredible solo try against New Zealand in 2014 remains one of his finest moments.
8. Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Fiji)
Quite possibly the most naturally gifted runner on this list.
The Fijian sensation combined blistering pace with outrageous footwork, regularly leaving defenders chasing shadows.
His performances for Agen and Fiji made him a cult hero.
7. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
One of the most exciting wingers in world rugby.
The Bordeaux-Bègles flyer has made a habit of leaving international defenders for dead.
His remarkable acceleration and finishing ability have already established him among the game's most feared attacking players.
6. Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA)
One of the most famous foot races in Rugby World Cup history.
The American winger stunned the rugby world in 2007 when he accelerated around Bryan Habana to score against South Africa.
It remains one of the tournament's greatest individual tries.
5. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
A World Cup winner and one of the greatest finishers rugby has ever seen.
Habana scored 67 tries in 124 appearances for the Springboks.
His speed was so impressive that he even took part in a famous exhibition race against a cheetah.
4. Adam Radwan (England)
One of the quickest players to feature in English domestic rugby.
The former Newcastle Falcons winger built his reputation on explosive acceleration and devastating finishing.
Give him half a yard and defenders could find themselves in serious trouble.
3. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
The man who inspired this list.
Rees-Zammit clocked an astonishing 4.59 seconds over 40 metres against world indoor sprint champion Jeremiah Azu.
The Welshman has long backed his own pace, having previously named the one rugby player he believed could beat him in a sprint.
Having also pursued a career in American football, Rees-Zammit has demonstrated that his speed is something special.
2. Tonderai Chavhanga (South Africa)
A name younger rugby fans might not recognise, but one that deserves a place in the conversation.
The Zimbabwe-born winger was renowned for his incredible straight-line speed, with Dragons RFC crediting him with a remarkable 10.27-second 100m time.
He also scored six tries on his Springboks debut against Uruguay in 2005, setting a South African record.
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1. Christian Wade (England)
The former Wasps star takes our top spot.
Wade's extraordinary acceleration and footwork made him one of the most dangerous finishers in Premiership history.
His former teammate Brendan Macken reportedly credited him with reaching between 11.1 and 11.2 metres per second, a figure highlighted in a comparison of rugby's fastest players.
Wade's pace was on full display when he scored a stunning 80-metre try against Bristol Bears in 2024.
He later pursued an NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, further demonstrating his athletic ability.
Few rugby players have been quite so difficult to catch in open space.
