The Top 7 Props of All Time Have Been Ranked

Props spend much of their careers buried in the front row, battling for inches at scrum time, making brutal tackles and carrying into the heaviest traffic on the pitch. Yet the greatest props are so much more than set-piece specialists.

They have been leaders, match-winners, workhorses and, in some cases, genuine trailblazers who changed what was expected from the position.

From Welsh legends of the 1970s to the Springboks and All Blacks of the modern era, these are the seven greatest props rugby has ever produced, as RUCK continues our partnership with Ultimate Sevens.

Olo Brown (New Zealand) was arguably the technical benchmark for tighthead props during the 1990s. His body positioning at scrum time was almost flawless, making the All Blacks great notoriously difficult to shift.

Dan Cole (England) deserves enormous credit for his extraordinary longevity at the highest level. A cornerstone of the England scrum for well over a decade, Cole built one of the great modern prop careers.

Ox Nche (South Africa) has emerged as one of the most destructive looseheads of the current generation. His extraordinary strength, low body position and ability to change a match at scrum time have made him a key part of the Springboks' modern dominance.

Adam Jones was the anchor holding the Welsh scrum together. The tighthead became one of the defining forwards of Wales' golden generation, providing the sheer physical presence required for a pack that would dominate opponents at set-piece time.

Jones was particularly important during Warren Gatland's reign, when Wales transformed themselves into one of the most formidable teams in the northern hemisphere. He was part of the Wales side that won three Grand Slams, establishing himself as a cornerstone of their success.

His game was built around the things props are supposed to do exceptionally well: scrum and make life miserable for the opposition. But there was something particularly reliable about Jones, when Wales needed a scrum to hold, he held it. When they needed to win one, he found a way. That dependability made him one of the defining tightheads of his generation.

Owen Franks wasn't interested in being spectacular. He was interested in being impossible to beat. For more than a decade, Franks was the immovable object at the heart of the All Blacks scrum.

The tighthead became one of the most reliable players in a New Zealand side that dominated world rugby to an extraordinary degree. His greatest achievement came at the Rugby World Cup, as Franks started both the 2011 and 2015 finals, becoming a two-time World Cup winner as New Zealand established themselves as the world's dominant force.

His contribution rarely came in the form of spectacular tries or highlight-reel moments. Instead, it came in the repeated, brutal battles that decided matches before the ball even reached the backs. Franks gave the All Blacks a platform, and when your team is as talented as New Zealand's golden generation, that can be one of the most valuable contributions of all.

The Beast was exactly what his nickname promised. Tendai Mtawarira combined explosive power, extraordinary durability and a ferocious work-rate to become one of the most beloved props in South African rugby history.

The Zimbabwe-born loosehead eventually earned more than 100 Test caps for the Springboks, an extraordinary achievement for any front-rower. But it was the final chapter of his career that cemented his place among the greats, at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the veteran loosehead played a starring role as South Africa dismantled England's pack in the final.

The Springboks dominated the scrum and eventually won 32-12 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. It was the perfect ending, as after years of doing the brutal, thankless work required of a Test prop, Mtawarira finally got his World Cup winners medal. He did it in a final in which his greatest weapon — sheer physical power — was on full display.

Tony Woodcock was the quiet giant of one of rugby's greatest teams. While others around him collected the headlines, Woodcock simply kept turning up and doing his job.

He did it exceptionally well. The loosehead became the most-capped prop in All Blacks history with 188 caps, playing a crucial role throughout New Zealand's era of dominance. His technical quality and consistency made him an invaluable member in black.

But Woodcock also produced one of the most memorable moments of his career on the biggest stage. In the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, he scored New Zealand's only try as the All Blacks edged France 8-7 at Eden Park. For a prop whose reputation had been built on doing the fundamentals better than almost anyone else, it was a fitting moment. Woodcock was never the loudest or most glamorous player. He didn't need to be, his career was built on reliability — and there are few better qualities in a prop.

Some props dominate one side of the scrum. 'The Fun Bus' Jason Leonard dominated both.

Leonard's ability to operate at both loosehead and tighthead helped make him one of the most valuable front-rowers England has ever produced. Across an extraordinary 114 England caps, he became a constant presence through one of the most transformational periods in rugby history. He played through the transition from amateurism to professionalism and remained a formidable international player throughout. Then came the ultimate reward.

Leonard was part of the England side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup, providing the experience and front-row strength required to defeat Australia in that famous final. Leonard came off the bench to replace starting tight-head Phil Vickery, who was struggling against Wallabies pillar Bill Young. Leonard steadied the ship and helped lay the foundation for England's finest hour.

His versatility was arguably his greatest weapon. Need a tighthead? Leonard could do it. Need a loosehead? Leonard could do it. Need someone to step up in the biggest match imaginable? Leonard had already spent his career doing exactly that. His combination of longevity, adaptability and excellence makes him one of the easiest selections on this list.

Graham Price was playing modern rugby before modern rugby existed. The Welshman helped redefine what a prop could be during the extraordinary 1970s.

Traditionally, props were expected to dominate the scrum and little else. Price refused to accept that limitation, as his extraordinary fitness allowed him to cover huge amounts of ground, while his scrummaging remained elite. He was a key member of the legendary Welsh pack and became renowned for his ability to contribute across the pitch.

Then there was his unforgettable try. On his international debut against France at the Parc des Princes in 1975, Price hacked a loose ball forward and chased it 70–80 metres to score deep in injury time. While it is widely considered the greatest try ever scored by a prop, it was a singular, magical moment. Across his 41 caps for Wales, he only scored two others.

Those field-length runs became part of Welsh rugby folklore and demonstrated just how far ahead of his time he was. He wasn't merely a prop who could run, he was a prop who could play with enviable flair. His combination of scrummaging, fitness, athleticism and intelligence made him one of the most influential front-rowers of his era.

Only one prop has won the Rugby World Cup 12 years apart. Os du Randt's career is impossible to replicate.

He was part of the Springboks' historic 1995 World Cup triumph, helping South Africa lift the trophy on home soil in one of the most significant moments in sporting history. Then, remarkably, he did it all over again. After walking away from international rugby, du Randt returned and was part of the South Africa side that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Twelve years, two World Cups, across two completely different eras of South African rugby. But the trophies only tell part of the story. At his best, du Randt was a devastating loosehead, combining enormous strength with outstanding technique and the mobility required to contribute around the pitch. His longevity was remarkable. His scrummaging was exceptional. And his ability to remain relevant across more than a decade of rapid change in the sport was extraordinary.

Few props have left a greater mark on South African rugby and none have matched his World Cup achievement. Which is why Os du Randt is our No.1 prop in rugby history.