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In modern day rugby, the props are becoming more and more important. The stronger your scrum is, the better attacking platform your team has. In most cases now, the team that wins always has the stronger pack. Modern day loose head’s have to be a mix of strength and power, but also mobility and being able to get around the pitch.
RBP has researched this topic and we’ve come up with our top 10 props from around the world.
10. Eddy Ben Arous
Rapidly becoming a favorite for France, Ben Arous is another good athlete that is dangerous with ball in hand and is very strong at scrum time. He may not have the size of many of his competitors but he makes up for that with good form and an exceptional workrate. A great weapon at the breakdown, Ben Arous is also known for his lethal side-step (don’t know where a prop learns to do that but…).
9. Mako Vunipola
A beast of a man. Vunipola is hugely strong, and is a massive man. At times his strength alone has carried him, seeing him destroy opposition scrums, but at others clever tightheads have outsmarted him at scrum time. Vunipola has had a good return from injury this season, helping Saracens win the Aviva Premiership final. That said, Vunipola is let down by his work rate at times, and has a tendency to commit a lot of penalties.
8.Gethin Jenkins
Known for his prowess in the loose, Jenkins is a Welsh legend, and remains a favorite in Warren Gatland’s side. While he may have struggles at the scrum, Jenkins has a phenomenal workrate, and can create havoc at the breakdown. When Wales beat Ireland in the 6 Nations, Ireland struggled to dislodge the Welsh prop, who won penalty after penalty for his side. Jenkins has a wide skillset, and put in a grubber kick against France in the 6 Nations, as well as just being a talented player with ball in hand.
7. James Slipper
The Reds captain is a key part of the Australian side. While the scrum may have problems in Australia, Slipper certainly is not one of them. Slightly undersized, Slipper has great form and plenty of power, so he is the cornerstone of the Australian scrum. Slipper is also a real threat in the loose, he has great hands and awareness, and has a knack for doing the right thing every time he touches the ball. Couple this with a very good workrate, and a willingness to put his body on the line every time, and you can see why Slipper is number 5 on our list.
6. Wyatt Crockett
The All Blacks prop is an all around good player. He may not have the flash of some of the players on this list, but he is one of the key parts of the dominant All Blacks side. He is strong and reliable in the scrum, and when he gets the ball in open play he knows what to do. Crockett has a very good workrate and is one of the unsung heroes in the New Zealand side. His commitment to his club and country is admirable, and it seems that he is now getting his deserved chance.
5. Jack Mcgrath
Not so long ago McGrath was a young Leinster prop pretty much unknown to those outside of the Irish province. Seemingly destined to sit behind Cian Healy in the pecking order, McGrath has grown immensely over the last season, and when he got a chance he took it with both hands. Ireland fans despaired when Healy was out for the November series, but McGrath stepped in against South Africa and Australia beautifully, winning penalties against Springbok star Jannie Du Plessis, and playing well enough to hold Healy out of the starting side until the final round of the 6 Nations.
4. Marcos Ayerza
The Leicester prop has been a huge part of the growth of Argentinian rugby over the years. Devastating in the scrum, Ayerza is probably the best form scrummager in the world, and has dismantled many a prop over the years. While not as dangerous in open play as some of the others in the list, Ayerza is among the best in the tight. A great team player, Ayerza is a great role model for any young loosehead props.
3. Tendai Mtawarira
The Beast. Everytime he touches the ball you can hear the crowd call out his nickname, and that moniker was not given for nothing. The first time I saw him play was in a Super Rugby Week 1 tries clip, and I refused to believe that he was a prop. I thought that I had surely missed a number on his back, and he was a wing. Props shouldn’t be allowed to have the pace that he has, it’s not fair on the rest of us. Mtawarira is also stoic in the scrum, and throws himself around with reckless abandon in defense. There is no sense of self-preservation when he plays, and he is definitely one of the best in the world.
2. Joe Marler
Arguably the best scrummager in this list, the Harlequins captain is an incredible player. Marler has matured enormously over this season. Yes, the silly hair and remarks about referees boots are still there. Marler is a now a good leader for England, and a better scrummager. If you dont believe me, watch Harlequins game against Leinster at the stoop, and watch the way that Marler demolished Mike Ross at scrum time. Ross, known as the “Scrum Doctor” in Ireland, was completely flummoxed by Marler leading to a Harlequins win. Marler also has plenty of power with ball in hand, and makes good decisions when he gets the ball. He will be the key to England’s World Cup Campaign.
1. Cian Healy
Healy is well summarized by Irish teammate Jonathan Sexton in his book, Becoming a Lion: “A freak. The strongest, most explosive, powerful guy I’ve ever played with and, with thirty odd caps before his 25th birthday, church should break all the propping records. Incredible ball carrier.” When Healy got his first start in the 6 Nations against Scotland, it was clear he wanted to make an impact in his return, and he did, winning a turnover at the breakdown after just 45 seconds. When Leinster played Toulon and Bath in the European Champions Cup Playoffs, Healy destroyed both scrums. Toulon’s scrum, filled with names like Carl Hayman, Guilhem Guirado, Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams were powerless to stop Healy as he pushed them around the field with ease. Healy has missed a lot of games with injury, but has come back stronger and smarter, and that is an alarming prospect for those in Pool D.