The 10 Tallest Rugby Players in History (Ranked)

Friday, 10 April 2026 at 16:15

byRugby Rucker

Rugby is a sport built for giants. Height can be a game-changing advantage, especially in the line-out and tight exchanges, where towering players use their reach and physicality to dominate.

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Over the years, some of the tallest athletes in rugby history have quite literally stood head and shoulders above the rest, redefining the role of the lock at both international and club level.

In this article, we rank and profile the tallest rugby players of all time, featuring giants such as Richard Metcalfe, Dean Williams, Rory Arnold, and Devin Toner—the ultimate guide to rugby’s most towering figures.

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Tallest Rugby Players in History — RUCK Ordered List

10. Rory Arnold — “Three-Storey Rory” (2.08 m)

Nationality: Australia
Position: Lock
Caps: 22 (Wallabies)
Clubs: Brumbies, Gold Coast Breakers, Griquas, Toulouse

From barefoot beginnings to international stardom, Rory Arnold rose to become Australia’s tallest ever player. Nicknamed “Three-Storey Rory,” he broke into the Wallabies squad in 2016 and remains a line-out specialist. His journey from working at a sugar mill to dominating European rugby is as inspiring as it is towering.

9. Richie Gray — “The Scottish Giant” (2.08 m)

Nationality: Scotland
Position: Lock
Caps: 74
Clubs: Glasgow Warriors, Sale Sharks, Castres, Toulouse

With platinum blond hair and a commanding presence, Richie Gray earned the nickname “Scottish Giant” for good reason. A master of the line-out and a fixture in Scottish rugby, Gray has forged an impressive career across Europe while representing his country with pride.

8. Andries Bekker — “The Gentle Colossus” (2.08 m)

Nationality: South Africa
Position: Lock
Caps: 2
Clubs: Stormers, Kobelco Steelers

Bekker combined brute force with unexpected grace. Known as “The Gentle Colossus,” he excelled in both the set piece and open play for the Stormers before moving to Japan. His ability to roam and offload under pressure made him a uniquely skilled giant in the modern game.

7. Martin Bayfield — “Hagrid of Rugby” (2.09 m)

Nationality: England
Position: Lock
Caps: 31
Clubs: Northampton Saints

Bayfield’s stature earned him not only success on the rugby pitch but also a career in Hollywood. Nicknamed “Hagrid of Rugby” for doubling as the giant in the Harry Potter films, Bayfield was a line-out specialist whose career was decorated with England caps and Grand Slam victories.

6. JP du Preez — “The Line-Out Legend” (2.09 m)

Nationality: South Africa
Position: Lock
Caps: —
Clubs: Lions, Toyota Cheetahs, Sale Sharks, Glasgow Warriors

JP du Preez towers above the competition with a unique blend of height and mobility. “The Line-Out Legend” is known for using his remarkable reach to dominate set-pieces, and his career across three continents reflects a modern rugby lock who can adapt anywhere.

5. Luke Charteris — “The Tackle Machine” (2.10 m)

Nationality: Wales
Position: Lock
Caps: 74
Clubs: Dragons, Bath Rugby

Charteris was Wales’ most dependable lock for years, earning the nickname “The Tackle Machine” after recording a Six Nations record of 31 tackles in a single match. A master of line-out strategy and defensive dominance, his career embodied the physical and mental demands of top-level rugby.

4. Devin Toner — “Big Dev” (2.10 m)

Nationality: Ireland
Position: Lock
Caps: 70
Clubs: Leinster

Ireland’s tallest ever player, Devin Toner — affectionately called “Big Dev” — combined a towering frame with extraordinary skill. Known for his calm precision in line-outs and unmatched endurance, Toner became a stalwart of Leinster and Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning sides.

3. Will Carrick-Smith — “The Bus” (2.11 m)

Nationality: England
Position: Lock
Caps: —
Clubs: Exeter Chiefs, London Scottish, Bedford Blues

Nicknamed “The Bus,” Carrick-Smith earned his reputation as a powerhouse in the second row. His imposing stature and skill at the line-out made him a consistent threat. His career journey is a testament to patience and hard work in professional rugby.

2. Dean Williams — “The Towering Titan” (2.13 m)

Nationality: England / New Zealand
Position: Lock
Caps: —
Clubs: Suburbs RFC, Macclesfield Blues, Sedgley Tigers

At an astounding 2.13 m, Dean Williams was a physical phenomenon on the field. Known as “The Towering Titan,” he dominated line-outs and bulldozed through defenders, becoming a beloved figure in both New Zealand and English club rugby.

1. Richard Metcalfe — “The Giant of Rugby” (2.13 m)

Nationality: Scotland
Position: Lock
Caps: 13
Clubs: Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints

Richard Metcalfe remains rugby’s tallest ever player. Known as “The Giant of Rugby,” his height gave Scotland a massive advantage in set-pieces. Despite a career cut short by injury, Metcalfe’s stature and impact on the field are legendary.