Graph: Bigger is better. Check out how the size of rugby players has changed in the last 40 years

A brilliant study into how a top rugby player's physique has changed down through the years...

We think it's been pretty clear how much top rugby players have changed down through the years, just looking at it from our couch they appear to be getting bigger and bigger, and now this study by CNN has confirmed it. The study looks at three New Zealand players - a full back, a centre and a winger - over four decades, and analyses how their body shape has changed in that time; as the game has moved on in terms of professionalism and innovation. The average height of a back in 2014 is four inches taller than a back in 1974. In terms of weight, the modern day player is 14kg heavier than an All Black babe in 1974, which is a massive jump in size. If you look at examples from Ireland in the analysed positions, Tommy Bowe is 6'3" and 96kg, Gordon D'arcy is 5'11" and 91kg and Rob Kearney is 6'1" and 95kg so they're aren't far off the average New Zealander. But the number of players of Bowe and Kearney's physique in particular isn't great, so that could be an issue for Joe Schmidt at the moment. The CNN study also covered other sports including tennis, NFL, basketball, swimming and sumo wrestling, the results are interesting there too. Hat-tip to Reddit Rugby.