We take a look at the small amount of players who have played in both the backs and forwards with mixed results.
1. Richie Vernon (Centre, Flanker, Number 8)
2. Tom Youngs (Centre, Hooker, Winger)
Youngs is the son of former Leicester and England scrum-half Nick Youngs, and the elder brother of current Leicester and England scrum-half Ben Youngs. Originally a centre/winger he changed to play at hooker after advice from then Tigers’ coach Heyneke Meyer.
What might surprise you is how rapid and small he was. Check this out.
3. Jonah Lomu (Flanker, Winger)
Lomu started his rugby union career in the forwards, mostly as an openside flanker (no.7), sometimes to the blindside (no.6), before switching to the left wing in what he described as the “best move he could have made”. Long story short, he’s without a doubt the best winger of all-time.
4. Sam Burgess (Flanker, Centre)
Who could forget this odd position change? The cross-code star came into rugby union, playing in the back-row for Bath in the Premiership. England then started him in the centre at the Rugby World Cup. Still trying to work that one out.
5. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Flanker, Winger)
The Fijian-born 6ft 5in, 123kg Northampton Saints winger has also played as a flanker.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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