Rugby's Biggest Bruisers - Part Five

In the fifth edition of Rugby’s Biggest Bruisers we put the spotlight on some well-known, rough and tough back-rowers from Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand.

Sean O’Brien:

Known as ’The Tullow Tank’, the Irishman lives up to his nickname with a 1.88m, 108kg build a hunger for the physical side of the game. He is comfortable anywhere in the back-row but his preferred position is at openside flank.  Busy, brutal and menacing on the field, O’Brien has earned himself 56 caps for Ireland as well as 5 appearances for the British & Irish Lions.

Jean-Luc du Preez:

The son of former Natal and Springbok scrumhalf, Robert du Preez, Jean-Luc followed in his father’s footsteps – making his Sharks debut in 2015 and for South Africa in 2016. The 113kg Du Preez is a truly bruising flanker who is also able to display some surprisingly subtle touches of skill with ball in hand. After four brilliant seasons for the Sharks, du Preez (along with his two brothers, Dan and Robert Jnr.) signed for Sale in 2018.

Ardie Savea:

Big, fast and never shy of the eyebrow-to-eyebrow part of the game, Savea is a feared presence on the pitch. A convert from sevens, he is at home in a fast-paced game and revels in contact, usually leaving opponents coming off second best. He currently has 44 All Black caps with surely many more to follow.