Top 10 fastest rugby players of all-time (Ranked 10-1)

Sevens specialists have been excluded from consideration, meaning the likes of Carlin Isles and Perry Baker do not feature on the list.

Wales' record try scorer, Shane Williams was one of the most electric attacking players of his generation. The former Wales and Ospreys star scored 58 international tries and sits among the leading try scorers in Test rugby history.

Named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008, Williams built his game around explosive acceleration, elusive footwork and a devastating sidestep.

His low centre of gravity made him exceptionally difficult to bring down once he found space, although no comparable top-speed figure or 100-metre time is available in the information provided.

Kurt-Lee Arendse first made his name in sevens rugby with the Blitzboks before quickly establishing himself as one of the Springboks' most dangerous backs at XV level.

Since making his Test debut in 2022, the winger has become a key part of the South Africa setup and played a role in their 2023 Rugby World Cup triumph.

His pace, agility and low centre of gravity make him incredibly difficult to stop, while his ability to chase kicks and finish opportunities has made him one of the most exciting wingers in the game.

Jason Robinson was one of the most naturally gifted athletes to play either code of rugby. After making his name in rugby league with Wigan, he switched to rugby union and became a key member of England's 2003 World Cup-winning side.

The winger and full-back won 51 caps for England and another five for the British & Irish Lions, becoming renowned for his acceleration, footwork and ability to beat defenders from almost anywhere on the pitch.

Robinson reportedly recorded a personal best of 10.67 seconds over 100 metres, underlining why he remains one of the quickest players ever produced by English rugby.

Few players have ever changed rugby in the way Jonah Lomu did. The All Blacks icon became one of the sport's first true global superstars, combining extraordinary size and power with the speed of an elite sprinter.

His unforgettable four-try performance against England at the 1995 Rugby World Cup remains one of the most iconic displays in the history of the tournament. Lomu finished his World Cup career with 15 tries, a record he later shared with Bryan Habana.

For a player of his immense physical stature, his reported 100-metre personal best of 10.66 seconds was nothing short of remarkable.

Bryan Habana was one of the defining wingers of his generation and possessed the speed to match his remarkable finishing ability.

The Springbok was a central figure in South Africa's 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph, scoring eight tries to equal Jonah Lomu's record for the most in a single tournament. He was later named the 2007 IRB Player of the Year.

By the time he retired, Habana had scored 67 Test tries and equalled Lomu's record of 15 Rugby World Cup tries. Widely regarded as one of the fastest players in rugby history, he was famously credited with an estimated 100-metre time of 10.4 seconds.

At his peak, Rupeni Caucaunibuca was one of the most devastating attacking forces rugby had ever seen. Nicknamed the Bua Bullet, the powerful Fijian winger possessed the rare combination of explosive pace and strength.

He captured global attention at the 2003 Rugby World Cup with spectacular solo tries against France and Scotland, earning a reputation as one of the most dangerous players of his era.

His career was later disrupted by disciplinary issues, injury and illness, but his ability was never in doubt.

Caucaunibuca reportedly recorded a personal best of 10.4 seconds over 100 metres, while his extraordinary pace was also reflected in Rugby 06, where he was given a speed rating of 99.

Cheslin Kolbe may not have the physical size of some of the players on this list, but few have combined raw speed, acceleration and footwork as effectively.

After beginning his career with Western Province and the Stormers, Kolbe also represented South Africa in sevens and won bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games before making his Springboks debut in 2018.

He has since played a major role in South Africa's Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, including scoring a memorable try in the 2019 final against England.

With a recorded top speed of 36.2km/h, or 22.5mph, Kolbe remains one of the most dangerous runners in world rugby.

Few England players could match Jonny May for outright pace during his prime. The former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers winger won 78 caps and scored 36 tries, leaving him as England's second-highest try scorer.

May retired from international rugby in October 2023, but his speed was always one of his greatest weapons. During an England training session, he was reportedly clocked at 10.49 metres per second, or around 23mph, with his estimated 100-metre time sitting at approximately 10.71 seconds.

Will Jordan has developed into one of the most lethal finishers in world rugby, combining outstanding acceleration with genuine top-end speed.

The All Blacks star reached a major milestone in July when he scored a hat-trick against Italy in Wellington, taking his international tally to 50 tries and moving beyond Doug Howlett as New Zealand's record try scorer.

Jordan has reportedly reached speeds between 37km/h and 38.6km/h, or around 24mph, and has been tracked as the fastest player at the Crusaders.

Still only 25, Louis Rees-Zammit has already enjoyed an extraordinary career across two sports.

After leaving rugby union to pursue an NFL opportunity, the former Gloucester winger announced his return to the sport in July 2025 before joining Bristol Bears the following month.

His pace has always been his defining attribute. During Wales' Test against Fiji in 2021, Rees-Zammit recorded a top speed of 24.2mph, placing him at the top of this list based on the speed figures provided.