The 10 Best Locks in World Rugby Right Now (Ranked 10-1)

The lock may not always grab the headlines, but without them, no scrum stands tall and no maul moves an inch.

From the thunderous collisions of the Rugby Championship to the tactical wars of the Six Nations, 2025 has been a golden year for the big men in the boiler room. So, who’s ruling the skies, smashing the rucks, and leading the charge right now?

We’ve crunched the stats, rewound the highlights, and stirred the inevitable debate — here’s our definitive (ish) ranking of the 10 best locks on the planet in 2025.

On debut in Round 1 of The 2025 Rugby Championship against Argentina, Fabien Holland displayed maturity and composure, commanding the lineout and defending efficiently. By the time Round 6 came around versus Australia, the young gun was operating with a calm and effective presence under pressure, with 14 tackles, lineout stabilization, and crucial recoveries.

Holland’s performances signalled serious long-term potential as a dependable second-row option for New Zealand.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When fit, he’s an actual skyscraper in boots. Skelton’s blend of size and surprising agility makes him an absolute nightmare to deal with. His stint in France has sharpened his all-round game – and Wallaby fans are reaping the benefits.

Still the face of England’s pack, Itoje combines brains, brawn, and borderline telepathic lineout skills. His form has had ups and downs, but his best remains world-class. When Maro's switched on, few are better.

The Swiss Army knife of second-rows. Beirne does it all – jackals like a flanker, distributes like a back, and has a rugby IQ off the charts. A key cog in Ireland’s rise to world No.1, he’s simply invaluable.

His performances across The Rugby Championship showcased consistency and tireless work rate. Against Australia, Nortje provided lineout stability and strong carries, setting platforms for attack.

Then matches against New Zealand saw him dominate the tight exchanges, force key turnovers, and help the Boks control the match. Round 6 against Argentina highlighted his relentless presence at rucks, restarts, and defensive work.

Nortje’s unselfish and game-breaking style makes him a first-choice second-row in any high-stakes contest.

The king of the locks. Etzebeth is the ultimate enforcer – a snarling, snarling, snarling embodiment of South African forward power. Lineouts? Check. Hits? Devastating. Hair? Luxurious. He’s the complete package and still the best in the biz.