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Top 10 locks in rugby: Springboks enforcer leads young prospect while Lions captain ahead of pack Top 10 locks in rugby union Planet Rugby has selected its top 10 locks in the world right now, and one man stands clear at the summit. Here are our top 10 second-rows. Top 10 locks 10 James Ryan (Leinster, Ireland): The 2025/26 season was another in a long and prosperous career which has seen very few losses in either a Leinster or an Ireland shirt. His partnership with Joe McCarthy at both club and international level has once again been excellent, as has been his work in the lineout. Standing at 2.03 metres tall, he’s got a genetic step up on almost every other competing lineout jumper, but it’s not just his work in the set-piece that sets him apart; his shift around the park is exceptional too, always putting in more than his fair share of tackles and carries. At the peak of his powers, he’s expected to be a key figure at the 2027 Rugby World Cup next year. 9 Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, Italy): He’s far too good-looking to be a lock, but don’t let that fool you. He’s an absolute workhorse, consistently leading the stats and hitting hard in the process. At 2.02 metres tall, he’s a giant of an option in the lineout. Both Exeter and Italy found they could not be without the 25-year-old this season, as he’s turned out a remarkable 41 times for club and country, including Italy’s historic victory over England in March. Since arriving from Zebre in the summer of 2025, Zambonin has become a key member of the Chiefs forward pack and has secured his starting spot in the national side. 8 RG Snyman (Leinster, South Africa): Although he’s had limited playing time recently compared to the rest of this list, his star power shines through when fully fit. After years of being injury-ravaged at Munster, he made the move to Irish rivals Leinster, where he had an utterly blinding first season which coincided with 38 games for club and country – much to Munster fans’ annoyance. He’s been limited for game time this season, but he’s up there with the very best when injury free. 7 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, England): As capable on the blindside flank as he is in the second-row. This versatile giant uses his rangy legs to glide past would-be defenders with surprising pace, and he certainly knows his way towards the try-line. As with any good lock, he’s a handy jumper in the lineout and as much of a leader as anyone out on the field. As is becoming quite the trend on this list, Chessum is a workhorse, making 40 appearances in the 2025/26 season. 6 Joe McCarthy (Leinster, Ireland): After impressing for Ireland as a young lock, McCarthy was thrust into the limelight with a Test start on the 2025 Lions tour. His work in the lineout is superb, and standing at 2.03 metres tall, he matches Ryan perfectly. In elite sports, a winning mentality cannot be understated, and the 25-year-old has lost just six matches in the last two seasons for club and country, including the 2024/25 Champions Cup semi-final and the 2025/26 final. 5 Ruan Nortjé (Bulls, South Africa): Rassie Erasmus once claimed that he wasn’t big enough, but his opinion seems to have changed over time, as the 28-year-old has become the key focal point in the Springboks’ lineout. During the Nations Championship, his incredible work-rate was his superpower. He was immense in the first two Tests before being rested for the clash against Wales, but remains an incredibly consistent and effective performer for the men in Green and Gold and is bound to be a key figure in the pack heading into next year’s World Cup. 4 Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs, New Zealand): The 26-year-old established himself as a genuine All Blacks starter following the 2023 World Cup, and has continued to set the highest of standards since. After coming through the Wesley College first XV, where he was head prefect, he established himself within the Taranaki team, before becoming a key member of the Chiefs side that reached the Super Rugby final for four years on the trot. Although he’s yet to win championship silverware, his influence will continue to grow, as will Chiefs’ chances of domestic glory. Ex-Wallabies and Ireland back Brian Smith passes away aged 59 Top 3 locks 3 Maro Itoje (Saracens, England): Rested by Steve Borthwick for England’s Nations Championship July Tests, but not for any other reason than that he deserved a break. His list of personal and club accolades would match any in the game, and his experience and leadership have been rewarded with both the England and Saracens captaincy, and the top playing role for the British and Irish Lions. The 31-year-old often leads from the front, regularly making over 30 appearances in a season, and leading the way on the stats in every way he can. If Itoje’s playing, the opposition know about it. 2 Warner Dearns (Hurricanes, Japan): The 24-year-old moved over from Toshiba Brave Lupus in 2026, and has since become a key member of the Hurricanes side, helping defeat the Chiefs in the Super Rugby final of his first campaign. He’s tall, athletic, and incredibly technical, with another decade of top-level rugby left in the tank. If he can remain fit, he’ll soon be at the top of this list. 1 Eben Etzebeth (Sharks, South Africa): The most-capped Springbok player of all time, and will go down as one of the greatest to have ever worn the shirt. Up there with the most technically gifted to have ever played in the second-row; his size, aggression and insatiable attitude make him the perfect teammate and the worst opponent. He’s made a career out of picking opponents up by the scruff of their shirts, and even at 34 years old, he is showing no sign of slowing down.