The 10 Greatest Second-Rowers in Rugby History – Ranked

Tuesday, 22 April 2025 at 09:28

byRugby Rucker

From enforcers to lineout kings, the engine room of rugby has always been packed with giants—both in stature and in legacy.

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We've crunched the numbers, rewatched the classics, and argued over the coffee machine to bring you the ultimate ranking of the greatest second-rowers of all time.

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10. Paul O’Connell – The Irish General

A born leader and relentless workhorse, O’Connell was the heartbeat of Irish rugby for over a decade. Lineout ninja. Defensive colossus. Inspirational skipper. If grit had a face, it’d look a lot like Paulie.

9. Alun Wyn Jones – The Ironman

The most capped player in history and a true Welsh icon. His longevity is borderline ridiculous, and his commitment never wavered. Tough as old boots and twice as loyal.

8. Victor Matfield – The Lineout Lord

If lineouts were a religion, Matfield would be the high priest. The Springbok maestro orchestrated aerial dominance like few others. Pure elegance in a 6'7" frame.

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7. Brodie Retallick – The Modern Monster

The ultimate hybrid lock—power, skill, and a surprising turn of pace. Retallick redefined what a second-row could be in the modern game. Brutal and brilliant in equal measure.

6. Nathan Sharpe – Australia's Underrated Rock

Never flashy, always fantastic. Sharpe was Australia’s cornerstone for years, giving Wallabies fans consistency in a time of chaos. An unsung titan.

5. Willie John McBride – The Original Enforcer

Lions legend. Irish hero. Total hard man. McBride captained the ’74 Invincibles and introduced the “one in, all in” policy. Old-school toughness, wrapped in class.

4. Colin Meads – New Zealand’s Rugby Godfather

"Meadsie" was rugby royalty long before it became cool. Feared and revered in equal measure, he was the All Blacks’ muscle and brains in the '60s and '70s.

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3. Martin Johnson – England’s Warrior King

The man who led England to World Cup glory in 2003. Johnson didn’t just play the game—he dominated it. Every inch of his frame screamed “follow me.”

2. John Eales – The Thinking Man’s Titan

Nicknamed “Nobody” (because nobody’s perfect), Eales was all class. Captain. Goal-kicker. Lineout maestro. The rare lock with both brains and brawn. Pure gold for the Wallabies.

1. Eben Etzebeth – The Ultimate Destroyer

Still going strong, still terrifying opposition packs. Etzebeth is the modern gold standard for second-rows—intimidating, athletic, and relentlessly physical. Two World Cups and counting. Bow down to the Bok beast.

QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?

England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition's Italian expansion in 2000.

England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!

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