Louis Rees‑Zammit is poised to become a game-changing force for both Wales and Bristol Bears.Louis Rees-Zammit is back, and he is one of the fastest players on the planet. (Image: (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images))

X-factor in rugby if often about size, strength and skill, but speed is something that can flip a game on its head in a matter of seconds.

At the elite level, there are usually a handful of players who stand out above the rest. Tongan prop Ben Tameifuna for his sheer size, France legend Antoine Dupont for his skill and All Blacks icon Ardie Savea for his power. However, there are certain players whose speed is simply invaluable in the egg-shaped game.

When Louis Rees-Zammit left for American football in January 2024, Gloucester and Wales weren’t only losing a world-class winger, but also one of the fastest players in world rugby.

Power, strength and skill can unlock defences, and are all attributes that can be developed with training and dedication. However, speed is something very difficult to develop – it’s usually limited by genetics and biomechanics – so you either have it or you don’t.

Speaking to the press for the first time since returning from American football, Rees-Zammit revealed that he had clocked 23mph while he was weighing in at 16 stone, seven pounds (105kg).

The Welshman has now dropped to 15 stone, 10 pounds (100kg) and is aiming to drop more weight for his return to rugby – which is more of an endurance-focused sport when compared to American football.

He said: “I was still hitting 23mph at 105 kilos so it was just the amount of conditioning, they don’t do that much because plays last four to six seconds in the NFL so it is not something they need to have.

“It is all about repeated sprints for the wide receivers.

“Playing rugby it is different, you have got to be very fit because the ball in play, if that gets high you are going to be running around a lot.”

Now that he is an active rugby union player again, Rees-Zammit goes straight into the top five after clocking 24.2mph in 2023. He bested his 24mph record racked up against Fiji – where he scored a wonder try against the Pacific Islanders in 2021.

All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane, who is joining Leinster for the upcoming United Rugby Championship season, has reportedly been clocked at 23.9mph, making him one of the fastest players in the world.

Rees-Zammit’s Bears team-mate Kieran Marmion, who is an Ireland international, has been recorded running at speeds of 23.94mph, after running at 10.7 metres per second. The former Connacht back recently signed a contract extension with the West Country club.

Former Gloucester winger Christian Wade, who also previously played American football, would have been the number-one player on this list, but he is no longer an active rugby union player.

Wade now plays for Wigan Warriors in rugby league, but when he was a union player, he had clocked a jaw-dropping speed of over 25mph.

France international Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who is currently one of the best wingers in world rugby, is renowned for his speed. His red scrum cap is already iconic and the young man has been recorded running at 23.5mph.

Bielle-Biarrey racked up this speed against La Rochelle in 2024, according to L’Equipe. Bordeaux-Begles fitness coach Thibault Giroud claims that Bielle-Biarrey could run 100 metres in 10.8 seconds “easily”.

England international and former Racing 92 flyer Henry Arundell was clocked at around 23.7mph while in France, and now brings his electric speed to Bath ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

The man taking top spot is new Leicester Tigers wing Adam Radwan, formerly of Newcastle Red Bulls. The England international pips Rees-Zammit to top spot with a remarkable speed of 24.3mph.

The top five fastest rugby players in the worldAdam Radwan – 24.3 mph (Leicester Tigers/England)Louis Rees‑Zammit – 24.2 mph (Bristol Bears/Wales)Kieran Marmion – 23.94 mph (Bristol Bears/Ireland)Rieko Ioane – 23.9mph (Leinster/New Zealand)Henry Arundell – 23.7 mph (Bath/England)Honourable mentionsChristian Wade – 25.1mph (Wigan Warriors – rugby league)Louis Bielle‑Biarrey – 23.5 mph (Bordeaux Bègles/France)Fastest-ever player

Former American Sevens international Carlin Isles is the fastest-ever rugby player. He was recorded running at 25.7mph.