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Heavy-hitters: All 16 URC squads by average weight and height

270 days ago

Eben Etzebeth of Hollywoodbets Sharks arrives at the stadium prior to the EPCR Challenge Cup Semi Final match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and ASM Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham Stoop on May 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

As a new United Rugby Championship (URC) season approaches, we take a closer look at the physical makeup of the 16 sides competing for silverware.

While the average height and weight of a squad might not automatically mean any given matchday 23 will follow suit, it does give a rough gauge of the athletes being put to work by head coaches and recruiters at each side and – moreover – give an insight into of the size of modern professional rugby athletes.

The below squads’ statistics should be read in context of course: with a roster favouring a higher ratio of forwards to backs in terms of personnel likely to be taller and heavier than one that has a higher proportion of backs etc

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off
in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what
will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

The sides are listed from lightest to heaviest:

16. Ospreys
Maybe appropriate given their avian moniker, the Ospreys squad are the lightest squad in the URC at just under 102 kg. Their average height is 186cm.

Average weight: 101.98kg
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: James Fender – 125 kg
Tallest player: James Fender – 204cm
League finish last time out: 8th

15. Lions Rugby
While they have the heaviest player in the league at 153kg (over 24 stone), the Lions are the second-lightest team operating in the competition. Their average height is 186cm and their average weight is a smidge over 102kg.

Average weight: 102.09kg
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: Asenathi Ntlabakanye – 153kg
Tallest player: Reinhard Nothnagel – 202cm
League finish last time out: 9th

14. Connacht
In keeping with the Irish province’s image as a fast-paced and mobile side, the average height of the Westerners is 186cm and the average weight is approximately 102.23 kg.

Average weight: 102.23kg
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: Temi Lasisi – 125kg
Tallest player: Darragh Murray – 201cm
League finish last time out: 11th

Bundee Aki of Connacht during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Munster at The Sportsground in Galway. (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

13. Vodacom Bulls
Despite Jake White’s Bulls being one of the most physically imposing teams in the league, the average for the overall team roster is surprisingly below the URC average in both height and weight.

Average weight: 102.86kg
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: Wilco Louw – 130kg
Tallest player: Ruan Nortjé, Janko Swanpoel and Deon Slabbert; all 200cm
League finish last time out: 2nd

12. Cardiff Rugby
Matt Sherratt’s Cardiff – who finished 12th in the league last season – are also the 12th heaviest team in the comp.

Average weight: 103.24kg
Average height: 185cm
Heaviest player: Will Davies-King – 128kg
Tallest player: Seb Davies – 203cm
League finish last time out: 12th

11. Munster
Those who have kept on Munster’s statistics down through the years will know that – maybe contrary to perception – they’ve traditionally favoured relatively lightweight squads – their forward packs especially. However, the contemporary Munster squad – who finished on the regular season table in 2023/24 – is pretty middle of the road with an average of 103.3kg per player.

Average weight: 103.28kg
Average height: 187cm
Heaviest player: Oli Jager – 127 kg
Tallest player: Thomas Ahern – 206cm
League finish last time out: 1st

RG Snyman and Tadhg Beirne of Munster celebrate a scrum penalty during the United Rugby Championship quarter-final match between Munster and Ospreys at Thomond Park in Limerick. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

10. Scarlets:
The Llanelli-based side are second heaviest of the Welsh regional sides at 103.56kg, with an average height of 187cm.

Average weight: 103.56kg
Average height: 187cm
Heaviest player: Carwyn Tuipulotu – 125 kg
Tallest player: Max Douglas – 201cm
League finish last time out: 13th

9. Zebre Parma
They may be the tournament whipping boys but it’s not for a lack of mass at least. The average weight of the Zebre Parma player is 104.27 kilograms.

Average weight: 104.27kg
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: Ion Neculai – 135kg
Tallest player: Dylan De Leeuw – 203cm
League finish last time out: 16th

8. Dragons RFC
The average height of Dai Flanagan’s squad is approximately 186cm and the average weight is 104.78 kg.

Average weight: 104.78kg
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: Chris Coleman – 130kg
Tallest player: Steven Cummins – 202cm
League finish last time out: 15th

7. Edinburgh Rugby
The average height of the Edinburgh squad member is around 187cm and the average weight is 104.74 kg.

Average weight: 104.74kg
Average height: 187cm
Heaviest player: D’Arcy Rae – 125kg
Tallest player: Rob Carmichael – 210cm
League finish last time out: 10th

Sam Skinner of Edinburgh Rugby celebrates after teammate Ben Vellacott (not pictured) scores the team’s fourth try during the EPCR Challenge Cup Round Of 16 match between Edinburgh Rugby and Aviron Bayonnais at Murrayfield Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

6. Benetton Rugby
The beefy Italian side renowned for their forward-orientated approach to the sport weighed in on average of just under 105kg and stand 186cm in height.

Average weight: 104.95
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: Riccardo Genovese – 126kg
Tallest player: Gideon Koegelenberg – 202cm
League finish last time out: 7th

5. Ulster
The Northern province are just half a kilo lighter than the heaviest Irish side (Leinster), averaging 105kg a man across their roster.

Average weight: 105.03kg
Average height: 187cm
Heaviest player: Marty Moore – 126kg
Tallest player: Cormac Izuchukwu – 201cm
League finish last time out: 6th

4. DHL Stormers
The Stormers team are the second heaviest of the South African URC franchises at 105.1kg and an average height of 186cm.

Average weight: 105.1kg
Average height: 186cm
Heaviest player: Frans Malherbe – 141kg
Tallest player: Adré Smith – 201cm
League finish last time out: 5th

3. Leinster
Often credited as one of the fittest and leanest in European rugby, the Irish heavy hitters are the tallest squad in the league and the third heaviest at 105.4kg.

Average weight: 105.4kg
Average height: 188cm
Heaviest player: RG Snyman – 130kg
Tallest player: RG Snyman – 207cm
League finish last time out: 3rd

Leinster players, from left, Cian Healy, Josh van der Flier and Ross Molony after their side’s victory in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final match between Leinster and Northampton Saints at Croke Park in Dublin. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Glasgow Warriors:
The URC champs clock in as one of the heaviest sides in the league, with an average height of 187cm and an average weight of 106.25 kg.

Average weight: 106.25kg
Average height: 187cm
Heaviest player: JP du Preez – 130kg
Tallest player: JP du Preez – 208cm
League finish last time out: 4th

Cell C Sharks:
The Sharks are the literal heavyweights of the URC despite their poor showing last time out. This season’s squad averaged a whopping 107.1kg and, in fact, last season’s Sharks, who won the Challenge Cup but struggled in the URC, were even heavier at a staggering 109.63kg [A figure not far off the average NFL franchise]. The exit of 127kg Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen through retirement and 138kg lock Le Roux Roets to Sale Sharks [among others] brought down the average for this season.

Average weight: 107.11kg
Average height: 187cm
Heaviest player: IG Prinsloo – 139kg
Tallest player: Jason Jenkins – 203cm
League finish last time out: 14th

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Comments

1 Comment

Wayneo 269 days ago

Stormers in at no. 4, maybe the guys should lay off the KFC donut burgers a bit.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 9 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 9 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 9 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 9 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍