6 Best Second-Rows In The World Have Been Named And Ranked

1. Has the ability to win own line-out ball.
2. Has the ability to win opposition line-out ball.
3. Adopts the correct body position to generate maximum push in scrums.
4. Has the ability to win ball at restarts by being able to jump and catch it abovethe head.
5. Has effective individual tackling techniques.
6. Has effective team defence techniques.
7. Understands loose play, i.e. when to go to a ruck, or when to be a runner.
8. Is a creative strike runner, who has power, creativity and strike potential.
9. Is comfortable with ball in hand and can catch and pass with either hand.
10. Is able to deliver quick ball in contact.
11. Has a physical presence at the contact area.
12. Is mentally tough and competes and trains at 95-100% of ability at all times.
13. Has world-class fitness standards.
14. Has a ruthless edge in the pursuit of winning.

Honourable Mentions:

• Alun Wyn Jones (Wales): The most-capped player in the history of test rugby, he continues to make his mark on the international scene at the age of 36. 
• Lood de Jaeger (South Africa)
• Paul Willemse (France)
• Tomas Lavinini (Argentina)

Best Second-Rows In The World:

#6. Will Skelton (Australia)

Will Skelton of Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground, Bath, Somerset, England on 29 November - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#5. Courtney Lawes (England)

Courtney Lawes, Captain of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Courtney Lawes Facts:

1. Lawes was born on 23 February 1989 in Hackney, London, but grew up in the Northampton area
2. He has featured for England in 11 successive Six Nations campaigns
3. Lawes didn’t receive an email checking his availability for the British & Irish Lions 2021 tour because it was sent to an old email address
4. The second-row and wife Jessica have four children – Nell, Teddy, and twin boys Otto and Hugo
5. Lawes played an integral part in Saints securing both the Premiership and European Rugby Challenge Cup titles in 2014

#4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

Brodie Retallick facts:

1. He was a key member of 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning team, the winner of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014 and is the award’s youngest winner to date
2. Retallick made his international debut for New Zealand in 2012 and has been a regular starter ever since
3. In his free time, Retallick enjoys cruising in classic cars
4. Retallick married Niki Thompson, a nurse, in 2015. Together they have two daughters

#3 Maro Itoje (England)

Maro Itoje of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Maro Itoje facts:

1. His full name is much more of a mouthful. The lock was born Oghenemaro Miles Itoje in Camden, London on 28 October 1994 to Nigerian parents
2. As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put
3. Maro got a rugby scholarship to London Harrow school when he was 11. He then studied for a Politics degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies in Bloomsbury, London
4. The current England star writes poetry in his free time and tried his hand at modelling too
5. He is the cousin of Bath’s loosehead prop Beno Obano. Gloucester speedster Ollie Thorley is also Itoje’s cousin, after his grandfather re-married a Nigerian woman who is the Saracens lock’s aunt.

#2. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Eben Etzebeth Facts:

1. Etzebeth made his Test debut for the Springboks against England in Durban in 2012. England’s Joe Marler made his first Test appearance in the same match.
2. In 2016, Etzebeth became the youngest player to play 50 Tests for the Springboks
3. Etzebeth’s biceps have a circumference of 19 inches… 48.26cm.

#1. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

Tadhg Beirne Facts:

1.  His sister, Alannah Beirne, is a TV personality and fashion model
2. He made his first start for Ireland against Italy in November 2018. He also scored his first Test tries in that match, crossing for a double.
3. Beirne earned successive Pro14 Dream Team nominations in 2017-18 and 2018-19,