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18 of the biggest specimens at the World Rugby U20s Championship

Ehren Painter, Sione Asi, Trevor Hosea and Kpoku.

Today is the second match day at the World Rugby U20 Championship in France. After a big start which included the introduction of the new tackle height trial, six fixtures will be played across three venues.

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Interest in the competition is ever increasing, as are the size of the players.

With earlier talent identification taking place players are being enrolled in professional rugby systems earlier and earlier, where they have access to better nutritional management, weight training programmes and lifestyle guidance.

As a result, many are reaching their maximal size potential while they are still at U20s level. Many on the list are already playing professional rugby, while others are coming off the production line physically ready to play at the highest level.

Last year RugbyPass looked at the biggest U20s players in 2017 competition, which you can read here. Two of last year’s list make a repeat appearance this year.

Continue reading below…

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The average weight and height of the 18 players on our list is 127kg/20 stone and 193cm/6’4 inches.

Laurence Tominiko
Australia
Club:
Position: Prop
Height: 6’1
Weight: 130kg

Angus Blyth
Australia
Club: Queensland Reds
Height: 6’9
Weight: 116kg

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Federico Lavanini
Argentina
Club: Rosario
Position: Lock
Height: 6’7
Weight: 122kg
Comment: Brother of Puma’s lock Tomas.

Joel Kpoku
England
Club: Saracens
Position: Lock
Height: 6’5
Weight: 126kg

Joseph Heyes
England
Club: Leicester Tigers
Position: Prop
Height: 6’2
Weight: 126kg

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Ehren Painter
England
Club: Northampton Saints
Position: Prop
Height: 6’4
Weight: 125kg

Ugo Boniface
France
Club: Bayonne
Position: Prop
Height: 6’2
Weight: 127kg

Daniel Brennan
France
Club: Montpellier
Position: Prop
Height: 6’4
Weight: 130kg
Comment: Son of Ireland international Trevor Brennan

Luka Japaridze
Georgia
Club: Lelo Saracens
Position: Prop
Height: 5’11
Weight: 125kg

Niccolo Cannone
Italy
Club: Cavalieri
Position: Prop/Lock
Height: 6’5
Weight: 122kg

Trevor Hosea
Australia
Club: Melbourne Rebels
Position: Lock
Height: 6’8
Weight: 115kg

Matteo Nocera
Italy
Club: Modena Rugby
Position: Prop
Height: 6’4
Weight: 128kg

Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
New Zealand
Club; Hurricanes
Position: Prop
Height: 6’3
Weight: 145kg

Sione Asi
New Zealand
Club: Manawatu
Position: Prop
Height: 6’1
Weight: 135kg

Asenathi Ntlabakanye
South Africa
Club: NA
Position Prop
Height: 6ft
Weight: 138kg

Will Davis-King
Wales
Pontypridd
Position: Prop
Height: 6’3
Weight: 128kg

Rhys Carre
Wales
Club: Cardiff Blues
Position: Prop
Height: 6’2
Weight: 130kg

Ewan Johnson
Scotland
Club: Racing 92
Position: Lock
Height: 6’8
Weight: 118kg

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J
JW 47 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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