Top 5 Locks in world rugby

Pick 5...

At this point I believe the Lock positions are open, very difficult to say who really and truly stands out.

Probably the best category for the northern hemisphere so far.

In fact, without Brad Thorn, I think the NH has the top two - Ritchie Gray and Paul O'Connell.

Also the only category New Zealand don't completely dominate. In fact, I didn't even vote for Whitelock in the end.

This is another tough one. Plenty of names but no big stand outs like in the prime years of Matfield and Botha.

Gray is still growing in his role but has made a big name for himself already. POC has been injured but has certainly looked useful at club level. Other than that, I'm pretty stumped. No real standouts for me. Easy to come up with 5 names but extremely difficult to justify why they are there over others. These threads are beginning to depress me in terms of the paucity of options in certain positions. Lock seems to be another after the departure of players like Matfield and Thorn.

Yep, a lot of class has been lost from the lock and no10 position recently. They are in transition waiting for the next great to develop, some of the youngsters on this poll could end up being as good as Matfield or Thorn.

It's hard to pick one of the Welsh ones because we don't really have first choice locks!

I agree. A lot of new faces in there and early days on a lot of careers to make judgement calls about the world's best. The NH does indeed look very competitive in this area and holds the edge. In a way an intriguing few months in world rugby to see who can cement their positions. But on the other side, sad to see such big names go out of the game at the same time.

In all seriousness Gray might be in the future but still really has to show consistency. this year could be the one to really shine tho - altho I think he is a great. Al kelloch? the ruck inspector?

No Thorn?

Whitelock, POC, Gray, Bekker are easily the best 4 from that list.

I'd throw players like Pape, Maestri, Horwill in the next level down.

I had Whitelock, Horwill, Gray, POC and Albacete. Think Ryan, Etzebeth and Romano might get there. Also rate Pape, Maestri and Hamilton an might have voted Thorn if he were available

I seriously don't get how Horwill is rated so highly, I'm not quite sure what he actually does. I tend to watch a game then find out he was playing in when they speak to the captain post match.

I've voted for Horwill and Albacete too. Horwill in paticular is a very good player.

Paul O'Connell
Alun Wyn Jones
Bakkes Botha
Nathan Hines
Sam Whitelock

In no particular order

Horwil, Whitelock, Ian Evans, Richie Gray, POC

Whitelock

Retalick

Parling.? Big question mark on Parling though.