The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #3 Tight-Head Prop

1. Loose-Head Prop https://www.606v2.com/t70475-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-1-loose-head-prop
2. Hooker https://www.606v2.com/t70476-the-best-3-players-in-the-world-by-position-the-world-class-45-2-hooker

I seem to recall a good poster called Pete defining his best players in the world in each position at the end of every year and I thought I'd try and bring it back somewhat.

So, a little caveat....I've not watched as much rugby as I would have liked this year so I may be a bit off in some of my suggestions....I'm sure we can have a nice sensible discussion though, as we always do! I also may a have a slight English bias, go easy on me Welshies.

The criteria:

I'm selecting world class players......when I say world class, you have to be in the top 3 in your position. I'll possibly look to do 5 for locks/wingers due to different styles and sides.

#3 - Tight-Head Prop

Now we're getting into the meat of it! The tight-head prop.....the cornerstone of your pack. Historically, the highest paid player in your squad....I think this may have transitioned to lock if my memory serves me correctly, probably not. Anyway.....your tight-head scrummages, surely there's nothing else required? Well apparently so, now they need to fill in at 10???? (See Kyle Sinckler) or make 50m breaks....(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bai7t_6_POo Yes, I know he's a loosie) things are messed up.

Bring back the stalwarts I say. Players like Julian White, who would just walk from scrum to scrum and smash opposition loose-heads. Luckily for me, I got to watch the greatest number 3 to every play the game, on a weekly basis......the legend Carl Hayman

Frans Malherbe

Listed as 6'1" and 125kg.....I'd be surprised if he was 1 pound under 135kg. A mountain of a man and loose head destroyer of golden days gone by, he is an absolute pleasure to watch. Not the prettiest around the park, but who cares when you can scrum like he does? You can just imagine loose-heads around the world shuddering at the mere mention of his name.

Tadhg Furlong

The all-round standard....when you open up the dictionary at modern day prop, you see a picture of the Wexford Warrior  smiling back at you. Furlong literally has the complete package as a prop and must be an absolute nightmare to play against. The only slight in an otherwise fantastic couple of years for Tadhg, was a slightly disappointing Lions tour. Other than that, he's been simply sensational.

Taniela Tupou

I can see this one causing some debate. I really wanted to get Sinckler in, but I don't think he's had a great time of it this last few years. You also have the likes of France's Bamba, NZ's Laulala and SA's pair of Koch and Nyakane........I just think "The Tongan Thor" deserves it for the leaps he has made in the set piece....and lets not forget he's pretty handy in the loose.


Notable mentions............Kock, Nyakane, Bamba, Porter (again), Sinckler and Laulala.

Easy one. Furlong.

That's the 1st batch done.....I'll do the back 5 next week.

Furlong all day long.

Yep unlike the other two this is easy - Furlong by a mile

Where the feck is Trevor Davison??!!!

Furlong is at least a 220 yards ahead of the rest.

Furlong for me.

He is a big fat blob like every good tighthead should be but he isn't talked about for just his scrum work. Most of his clips are the fancy hands and running.

His GAA roots allows him to be agile and good hands as it's a big pitch that usually involves plenty running and sport lines.

Being a farmer means its not all gym work or very health diet that has him the size he is.

I think selecting the best is challenging due to the number of roles a player can be looked at from a team perspective.

Different coaches value different strengths and core duties.

But I suspect a front row combination of Kitshoff, Marx and Furlong will we one of the toughest to beat.

Furlong, followed closely by Koch and Tupou.

Agreed Koch should be there, but Furlong still wins

Furlong. He's simply an outstanding player.

Furlong has dummied, stepped and blown past the opposition for me. 10/10.

Furlong is the best TH in the world at the minute hands down.

I really like Tupou's game and what he is capable of doing though not sure if I would prefer to have Nyakane who has been excellent. Malherbe deserves to be in that conversation so two of those three is probably fair.

doctor_grey wrote:Furlong is at least a 220 yards ahead of the rest.

Even when wrapped up in 10 chains. The equivalent of 40 Polish props


You have to be very old or work in rail to understand that one.

Phil Vickery must be close, even now.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Phil Vickery must be close, even now.

Yep, his 2009 form was unparalleled

Once it was reffed fairly. I would now like to present my 90 minute youtube analysis which will demonstrate......

You only require 62 minutes, no need to overdo it

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Phil Vickery must be close, even now.

Yep, he definitely still has it.

RiscaGame wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Phil Vickery must be close, even now.

Yep, he definitely still has it.

Matt Steven's multivitamins keeping him young and energetic.

Old Man wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Phil Vickery must be close, even now.

Yep, his 2009 form was unparalleled  

Totally agree, no one could get close to him, especially in the kitchen, although I seem to remember Dawson tried