Raw pace has become one of rugby’s most devastating weapons, and England are set to unleash a phenomenal force against Fiji this Saturday.

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Steve Borthwick’s men return to England this weekend, for their second round match in the 2026 Nations Championship. England head to Liverpool this weekend, after succumbing to a heavy defeat against the Springboks to open their campaign in Johannesburg.

Borthwick has named his match day squad to take on the Flying Fijians, with Saracens hot-spark Noah Caluori poised for a senior Test debut off the bench, to face a Pacific Island side vying for vengeance after a first round defeat to Wales. Caluori has been one of the 2025/26 PREM Rugby season for Saracens, as the high-flying 19-year-old finished the season joint first in the try-scoring charts, with 18 trips across the PREM whitewash and 24 tries in all competitions.

Whether it’s finishing from 80 metres, chasing down kick returns or turning half-chances into tries, genuine speed can change a match in seconds, with Caluori working his way into the 10 fastest men’s players rankings in world rugby today. While official GPS figures are not always released publicly, we have compiled an effective short-list on rugby’s 10 top speedsters from the men’s game, as Borthwick prepares to unleash his newest speedster in round two of the Nations Championship. Here are RUCK’s top 10 fastest men’s rugby players in the world today.

10. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)

Ireland’s first-choice full-back might not always be mentioned alongside the game’s out-and-out flyers, but his pace is among the best in international rugby. Leinster and Ireland GPS data has repeatedly highlighted his exceptional top-end speed around the 10.5 to 11m/s mark, leaving the pitch scorched up in his wake.

While his ability to accelerate into space makes him a constant counter-attacking threat, Keenan combines that pace with outstanding positioning and endurance, using his rugby sevens back-ground to dig into the fuel reserves whilst his on-field opponents begin to fatigue. His athletic profile has made him one of the most complete full-backs in the world, even as he humbly hands Robert Baloucoune the honour of being the unofficial king of the Ireland speed camp.

9. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

Pure speed is only one part of Cheslin Kolbe’s brilliance, but it remains one of his greatest weapons. The Springbok star couples elite acceleration with astonishing footwork, which was showcased against England for an outrageous step in the lead to South Africa’s second try.

Balance and agility, making defenders look stationary. Whether attacking from the wing, full-back or broken play, Kolbe consistently beats defenders before they can react. Even in his thirties, he remains one of rugby’s quickest as he clocks up 100m sprint times in 10.7 seconds. One of the world;’s most elusive players, Kolbe can change a match with one explosive carry.

8. Noah Caluori (England)

One of the quickest emerging players in world rugby, Saracens speedster Noah Caluori has built a growing reputation thanks to blistering acceleration and genuine track-level pace. His performances in the PREM have repeatedly showcased his ability to burn defenders from long range, as he ran in five tries against Sale Sharks in both meetings this season. With a highest recorded in-game speed of 35.7 km/h the rangey flyer is a scintillating threat with the ball in hand.

If his development continues, Caluori could soon become one of the sport’s genuine global stars, with the hot-stepping Saracens man eager to make his first impression on the Test match stage. Having progressed at a meteoric rate from his CHAMP Rugby days with Ampthill, to becoming a Saracens main-stay and presenting his talents in England A colours, Calouri is poised for the next step to cap off an unforgettable season.

7. Damian Penaud (France)

Penaud’s running style often disguises just how fast he actually is. Long strides and effortless acceleration regularly carry him clear of defenders, while published GPS figures around the 38.1 km/h mark place him among the quickest backs in world rugby.

The Bordeaux-Bègles and France wing combines pace with exceptional finishing instincts, making him one of the game’s most prolific try-scorers. Few players cover ground as smoothly once they hit top speed, with Penaud unleashed across the wide channels and midfield for Bordeaux, given his versatile attacking threat as France’s leading men’s try scorer.

6. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)

The France superstar has rapidly become one of rugby’s most feared finishers, as he continues to break his own records in the Six Nations and collect back-to-back Player of the Championship awards. Bielle-Biarrey possesses outstanding acceleration and regularly records elite sprint numbers for both his country, and with his two-time European champions Bordeaux-Begles club.

His ability to reach maximum speed in only a few strides makes him devastating in broken play, while his instinctive support lines ensure he is always in the right place to exploit space. At just 23, he already looks destined to remain among the fastest players in world rugby for years to come, with a stunning top speed of 38.4km/h.

5. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

After his spell pursuing an NFL opportunity, Rees-Zammit has returned to rugby with the same devastating speed that made him one of the game’s biggest stars. Before leaving rugby, the Welsh wing consistently ranked among the fastest players in the Premiership and international rugby, with published sprint figures regularly exceeding 24mph (around 39km/h).

Few players combine outright pace with such effortless running mechanics, making him a constant long-range scoring threat whenever he touches the ball. Having starred previously in the famous red of the British & Irish Lions, Rees-Zammit is now rightfully back in the same colours for his country, yet swapped out the former Cherry and White of Gloucester for that of West Country rivals Bristol Bears upon his rugby return.

4. Darcy Graham (Scotland)

With plenty of impressive outside backs in Gregor Townsend’s team, there can only be one true Flying Scotsman. That mantle belongs to Darcy Graham, who wins the training races against Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn up in Edinburgh. He is one of rugby’s quickest accelerators, as explosive first few metres regularly leave defenders flat-footed as Edinburgh’s GPS data has consistently placed him among the fastest players in the URC.

His low centre of gravity allows him to maintain speed through sharp directional changes, making him almost impossible to contain in one-on-one situations. Pace, agility and instinct combine to make Graham one of the sport’s most electric attackers, as he consistently brings in numbers closing in on 39km/h.

3. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)

England’s resident doctor on the side-line has rapidly developed a reputation as one of the fastest men in Test rugby. His combination of power and speed allows him to beat defenders by going straight through contact or by weaving around the edges.

While his GPS data at England and his Devon club Exeter Chiefs has revealed sprint speeds comparable with the game’s elite finishers, it’s Feyi-Waboso’s acceleration over the first 20 metres is comparable to Olympic athletes, making him exceptionally dangerous from kick returns and broken-field opportunities.

2. Adam Radwan (England)

Radwan has consistently recorded some of the highest sprint speeds ever published in Premiership Rugby, regularly exceeding 24mph (39km/h). His acceleration is explosive, his top-end speed extraordinary and his ability to maintain that pace over distance makes him arguably the most dangerous broken-field runner in the game today. Whether finishing for Leicester Tigers or upon his rotational opportunities with the England team, if given space, very few defenders anywhere in the world can catch him. Yet, one fellow England international could certainly give it a good attempt..

1. Henry Arundell (England)

Few players in world rugby possess Arundell’s blend of acceleration and outright pace. His stunning solo tries for England, Racing 92 and now Bath have repeatedly demonstrated his ability to outrun entire defensive lines from deep inside his own half. Published speed data has regularly placed him among the fastest backs in professional rugby, with his top speed clocking in at a breathtaking 41.3km/h (around 25.7mph)

His long, effortless stride allowing him to maintain top speed over significant distances, having shown this time and again since his unforgettable break-out try from his own try line for London Irish many moons ago. Arundell possesses genuine world-class speed that very few athletes in rugby can match. Right now, he is the fastest player in men’s rugby.

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