The 350 KG Club: Lions Tour 2025’s Strongest Beasts Are Smashing Records
Rugby NewsTuesday, 24 June 2025 at 17:34
The gym doesn’t lie – and neither do the numbers these monsters are putting up. From squatting enough to crush a car to sprinting like backs half their size, these 2025 British & Irish Lions stars are in terrifying shape.
These five are leading the charge – absolute units built for the brutality of a Lions tour.
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? Andrew Porter (Ireland) – Mr 350 KG
- Club: Leinster
- Squat PB: 350 kg
- Bench Press: 180 kg
- Vitals: 19 st 4 lb, 6 ft 0 in
Ireland’s powerhouse loosehead is in a league of his own. A 350 kg squat?
That’s Olympic powerlifting territory. Porter blows past the 275 kg benchmark for elite players – and then blows opposition front rows off the park.
A rock in the scrum and a weapon in the loose, he's a Lions lock-in if he stays fit.
? Maro Itoje (England) – The Pearl
- Club: Saracens
- Bench Press: 180 kg
- Vitals: 18 st 2 lb, 6 ft 5 in
Strong, smart, and scary. Itoje combines textbook line-out work with wrecking-ball defence, and has the strength numbers to prove it.
His 180 kg bench isn't just for show – it translates directly into dominance at the breakdown. Add elite rugby IQ, and he’s once again a Lions must-pick.
? Bundee Aki (Ireland) – Human Wrecking Ball
- Club: Connacht
- Bench Press: ~185 kg (reported)
- Bronco Test: 4 min 40 s
You want go-forward? Aki delivers. His explosive power through contact is well-known, but it’s his engine that’s just as frightening – a sub-4:45 Bronco is a number reserved for Test back-rowers, not midfield battering rams. Expect him to anchor the Lions midfield once again.
? Henry Pollock (England U20) – Next-Gen Frea
- Club: Northampton Saints
- Squat: 230 kg × 3
- Bench: 140 kg
- Bronco: 4 min 25 s
- Weight: 100+ kg
Still only 19, Pollock is putting up numbers that would make seasoned pros sweat. With speed, skill, and power to spare, the flanker is already eyeing up the England senior squad. If he keeps this up, don’t be shocked if he’s a wildcard pick for the Lions come 2025.
?️ Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – Tartan Lomu
- Club: Edinburgh Rugby
- Weight: 17 st 4 lb
- Speed: Sub-7 second 60m (training data)
Scotland’s backfield wrecking machine. Duhan blends brute force with surprising finesse – making him a nightmare to contain. Since returning to Edinburgh, he’s been in devastating form, already notching tries and embarrassing defenders in the URC. A proven Lions try-scorer in 2021, he’s sprinting his way back into the red jersey.
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Quiz! Can you name every player from England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup squad?
The England team were dubbed ‘Dad’s Army’ by the rest of the world (mainly Australians) but everyone secretly knew England coach Clive Woodward had the best side around.
This quiz tests your knowledge of that heralded group of 22 players who took on and beat the Wallabies in their own backyard on November 22, 2003.
Some of these are significantly easier than others.
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