Rugby has always been a sport that values size and physicality, and height is especially prized in second-row forwards who compete at the lineout. The sport has produced some enormous athletes whose stature gave their teams a significant advantage.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest rugby player ever is Richard Metcalfe at 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest rugby players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Rugby Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Metcalfe | 7 ft 0 in (213 cm) | Scotland |
| 2 | Devin Toner | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | Ireland |
| 3 | Andries Bekker | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | South Africa |
| 4 | Will Skelton | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | Australia |
| 5 | Eben Etzebeth | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | South Africa |
| 6 | Brodie Retallick | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | New Zealand |
| 7 | Guido Petti | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | Argentina |
| 8 | Sam Whitelock | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | New Zealand |
| 9 | Maro Itoje | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | England |
| 10 | Leone Nakarawa | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Fiji |
1. Richard Metcalfe — 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
Country: Scotland
Richard Metcalfe is the tallest player in professional rugby history. The Scottish lock played for Edinburgh and earned caps for Scotland in the early 2000s. His extraordinary height made him a dominant force at the lineout.
2. Devin Toner — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: Ireland
Devin Toner was a stalwart of Irish rugby for over a decade. The Leinster lock earned 70 caps for Ireland and was a key lineout operator. Toner was part of Ireland’s Six Nations championship teams and played over 250 games for Leinster.
3. Andries Bekker — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: South Africa
Andries Bekker was a South African lock who played for the Stormers and Western Province. He earned 17 caps for the Springboks and was part of the 2007 Rugby World Cup winning squad. Bekker’s lineout work was exceptional.
4. Will Skelton — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: Australia
Will Skelton is one of the most powerful locks in modern rugby. He has played for the Waratahs, Saracens, and La Rochelle, winning multiple European Champions Cup titles. Skelton has represented Australia and became a force in European rugby.
5. Eben Etzebeth — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: South Africa
Eben Etzebeth is one of the greatest locks in Springbok history with over 100 test caps. He was a key figure in South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023. Etzebeth is known for his ferocious physicality and leadership.
6. Brodie Retallick — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Brodie Retallick is a former World Rugby Player of the Year (2014) and two-time Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand. The Chiefs and All Blacks lock earned over 100 test caps. Retallick was known for his lineout prowess and ability to offload in contact.
7. Guido Petti — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: Argentina
Guido Petti is an Argentine lock who has represented Los Pumas at multiple Rugby World Cups. He has played for Jaguares in Super Rugby and Bordeaux in the Top 14. Petti is one of the tallest players in international rugby.
8. Sam Whitelock — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: New Zealand
Sam Whitelock is one of the most capped All Blacks of all time with over 150 test appearances. The Canterbury and Crusaders lock was a two-time Rugby World Cup winner in 2011 and 2015. Whitelock is considered one of the best locks in history.
9. Maro Itoje — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: England
Maro Itoje is one of the most dynamic locks in modern rugby. The Saracens and England forward has won multiple Premiership and European Champions Cup titles. Itoje has been a British and Irish Lions tourist and is known for his disruptive defensive play.
10. Leone Nakarawa — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Fiji
Leone Nakarawa is a Fijian lock renowned for his remarkable ball-handling skills for a player of his size. He won Olympic gold with Fiji in rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Nakarawa has played for Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, and other European clubs.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these rugby giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
These towering rugby players used their height to dominate lineouts and bring a physical presence that reshaped matches. As rugby evolves, tall athletic players continue to be highly valued assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest rugby player ever?
Richard Metcalfe of Scotland is the tallest professional rugby player on record at 7 ft 0 in (213 cm).
Why is height important in rugby?
Height is crucial in the lineout, where taller locks can reach higher to catch or deflect the ball. It also helps in defence and at restarts.
What is the average height of a professional rugby player?
The average height of a professional rugby union player is approximately 6 ft 1 in (185 cm), though forwards tend to be taller than backs.