England winger Henry Arundell is the SECOND fastest rugby player in the world
Rugby NewsSaturday, 08 November 2025 at 20:38
Back in England colours for the first time in two years, Henry Arundell reminded everyone why he’s such a headache for Steve Borthwick.
After racing onto a Marcus Smith grubber to extend his try tally for England—eight in just 11 matches—Arundell showcased his unrivalled pace, looking dangerous down the left flank and making a smart aerial take in the build-up to Itoje’s try.
Speed remains one of rugby’s ultimate game-changers, and in 2025, a new generation of players is setting the standard.
From lightning-fast wingers to explosive backs, here’s a look at the top 10 fastest rugby players in the world today—including Arundell.
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Fastest Rugby Players:
10. Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Arendse's explosive acceleration and agility make him a formidable presence on the wing, consistently breaking through defenses.
Arendse's explosive acceleration and agility make him a formidable presence on the wing, consistently breaking through defenses.
9. Damien Penaud (France)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Penaud combines speed with sharp footwork, turning even small gaps in the defense into scoring opportunities.
Penaud combines speed with sharp footwork, turning even small gaps in the defense into scoring opportunities.
8. Grant Williams (South Africa)
Top Speed: 10.2–10.7 m/s (22.8–24 mph)
Williams' pace puts him among the fastest rugby players in South Africa, making him a threat on the counter-attack.
Williams' pace puts him among the fastest rugby players in South Africa, making him a threat on the counter-attack.
7. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Ioane's versatility allows him to exploit spaces with his rapid bursts, whether on the wing or at centre.
Ioane's versatility allows him to exploit spaces with his rapid bursts, whether on the wing or at centre.
6. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Top Speed: 24.2 mph (39 km/h)
Rees-Zammit's acceleration and top-end speed make him a constant threat in open play.
Rees-Zammit's acceleration and top-end speed make him a constant threat in open play.
5. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Top Speed: 10.7 seconds per 100m
Kolbe's agility and footwork, combined with speed, make him one of rugby's most elusive wingers.
Kolbe's agility and footwork, combined with speed, make him one of rugby's most elusive wingers.
4. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
Top Speed: 37.8 km/h (23.5 mph)
Bielle-Biarrey's rapid acceleration and instinctive running lines highlight him as a rising star.
Bielle-Biarrey's rapid acceleration and instinctive running lines highlight him as a rising star.
3. Will Jordan (New Zealand)
Top Speed: ~10.7 m/s (24 mph)
Jordan's combination of speed and timing allows him to exploit defensive gaps and finish scoring opportunities with precision.
Jordan's combination of speed and timing allows him to exploit defensive gaps and finish scoring opportunities with precision.
2. Henry Arundell (England)
Top Speed: 11.5 m/s (25.7 mph)
Arundell's blistering pace and try-scoring ability make him one of the top fastest rugby players in England.
Arundell's blistering pace and try-scoring ability make him one of the top fastest rugby players in England.
1. Adam Radwan (England)
Top Speed: Tops GPS charts for current XVs players
Radwan's raw speed, agility, and finishing ability make him arguably the fastest rugby player in the world today.
Radwan's raw speed, agility, and finishing ability make him arguably the fastest rugby player in the world today.
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