The 10 hardest rugby players ever, ranked

From brutal tacklers and fearless forwards to players who seemed almost impossible to hurt, the sport has seen its fair share of hard men.

But who stands above the rest? We have picked out 10 of the toughest players to ever step onto a rugby pitch, spanning different eras and nations.

With his wild hair, huge beard and massive frame, Sebastien Chabal looked every inch the rugby “Caveman”. The French back-rower could play across the pack, but his fame came from his huge hits.

Against New Zealand in 2007, two moments helped turn Chabal into a rugby icon. One tackle broke Ali Williams’ jaw, while another flattened Chris Masoe. At 6ft 3in and over 110kg, he had the power to match his fearsome look.

More than his size, it was the threat of what might happen when he hit a player that made Chabal so intimidating. Opponents knew they were in for a physical battle whenever he was on the pitch.

Since retiring, he has unfortunately revealed that he cannot remember any matches that he played in.

During the 1970s and 1980s, few forwards had a tougher reputation than Frank Oliver. The 6ft 4in All Black lock was a powerful figure in an era when rugby was far more physical.

A refusal to give an opponent an inch became a key part of his game. He also captained New Zealand to a series win over the British & Irish Lions in 1977, showing that his leadership was just as strong as his physical game.

In the pack, Oliver was the sort of player who demanded total effort from those around him. Strength, toughness and an uncompromising attitude made him a feared opponent.

Every tackle looked personal when Jacques Burger was involved.

Despite a long list of injuries and major surgery, the Namibia star became one of the most prolific tacklers in the English Premiership during his time with Saracens.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup offered another example of his commitment. More tackles were made by Burger than any other player in the tournament, despite Namibia losing all four of their matches.

Rather than looking for a safe option, he threw his entire body into contact. That fearless approach made him one of the most respected defenders of his era.

Standing at 6ft 8in, Bakkies Botha was impossible to miss in the Springbok pack.

Alongside Victor Matfield, he formed one of the most famous lock partnerships of the modern era. Botha brought huge power to the pairing and was more than happy to get involved in the rough stuff.

The battles around the ruck were where he often looked most at home. His aggressive style and huge hits made him one of the most feared players in South African rugby.

A long list of disciplinary issues also followed him throughout his career. It was another sign of how far Botha was willing to push the physical side of the game.

Huge shoulders, a powerful frame and a reputation for massive tackles made Jerry Collins a nightmare for ball carriers.

The All Black blindside was also instantly recognisable thanks to his blue-rinse hair. Yet it was his physical presence that made the biggest impression.

Away from the international stage, Collins showed that his love for rugby went far beyond the professional game.

Just weeks after a professional season ended, he famously turned out for amateur club Barnstaple.

That combination of incredible strength and a humble attitude made him one of rugby’s ultimate hard but fair players.

Before making his name in rugby, Gerrard Cholley had already built a reputation as a heavyweight boxing champion in the French Army.

That fighting background suited the French forward perfectly. He became a key part of the side that won the 1977 Grand Slam without conceding a single try.

Few players would have wanted to test Cholley in a physical battle. His strength in the scrum was matched by his huge punching power, which occasionally made its way onto the rugby pitch.

For opponents, the message was simple. Cholley was not someone you wanted to provoke.

Few stories capture rugby’s old-school attitude to toughness better than Buck Shelford’s famous game against France in 1986.

During the “Battle of Nantes”, the All Black suffered a concussion, lost several teeth and suffered a serious injury. Despite all of that, he received treatment on the sideline and returned to the field.

There was much more to Shelford than his ability to play through pain. As captain, he helped create a culture built around strength, resilience and total commitment.

Under his leadership, New Zealand went unbeaten in 29 Tests. His legacy remains one of the strongest examples of what toughness meant to the All Blacks.

A towering figure at the heart of English rugby, Martin Johnson had a presence that few opponents could ignore.

The lock was at the centre of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning pack and became one of the country’s most respected leaders. His calm nature often made him seem even more intimidating.

Leadership was a huge part of Johnson’s game. Whether playing for England or the British & Irish Lions, he never seemed willing to back down from a challenge.

Physical strength was only one part of it. Johnson also had the mental toughness and competitive edge needed to thrive at the highest level.

The nickname “The Chiropractor” tells you almost everything about Brian Lima.

Samoa’s legendary back-rower earned it through his huge tackles and became the first player to appear at five Rugby World Cups.

One of his most famous moments came against South Africa in 2003. Derick Hougaard was the unfortunate target of a perfectly timed hit that showed just how much power Lima could produce.

Size was never the main weapon. Speed, timing and commitment allowed Lima to produce collisions that were far bigger than his frame suggested.

At close to 130kg, Henry “The Powerhouse” Tuilagi was already a huge man before he even started running with the ball.

What made him so dangerous was the speed that came with that size. His powerful leg drive allowed him to build momentum quickly, leaving defenders with a huge challenge.

During spells with Leicester Tigers and Perpignan, Tuilagi became a cult hero. Fans loved watching him charge into defensive lines and leave opponents struggling to stop him.

For pure power, few players could match the Samoan. He combined size, strength and explosive movement to become one of rugby’s most fearsome ball carriers.