This year's Six Nations is almost upon us, where superhuman players will strike fear into their opposite numbers, be it with their colossal height, huge weight or Herculean strength. Even among the giants, powerhouses and big-hitters who will grace the northern hemisphere's premier international competition over the coming weeks - starting with France against Wales on Friday night - these players stand out for their extraordinary physical abilities... Tallest Player: Devin Toner (Ireland) – 6ft 10in The man mountain that is Devin Toner will front up once again for Ireland this year. The second-row wears a size 15 boot and towers above his opponents at 6ft 10in. Toner is of the mould of locks from yesteryear, prized for their beef rather than their dexterity and footballing skills in the close quarters. Ireland and Leinster lock Devin Toner will be the tallest player in the tournament this year Toner will tower over his opponents at 6ft 10in and will be, as always, a colossus in the lineout The Irishman will be 1ft 4in taller than the smallest player at this year's instalment Heaviest Player: Uini Atonio (France) – 24 stone The La Rochelle prop is the heaviest player in the tournament, having tipped the scales at 24 stone (although he may be closer to 22 stone now). He is so big that he had to have his debut jersey - against Fiji back in 2014 - specially made for him as his frame was too large to fit into France's regular-sized tops. He weighs twice as much as the tournament's lightest player, Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, and is heavier than the average adult male panda bear. Good luck stopping him. Uini Atonio will tip the scales at 24 stone and will be the heaviest player in the Six Nations The France prop had to have his jersey custom made when he made his debut against Fiji The judo champion - Demba Bamba (France) Jacques Brunel was inundated with calls to include Demba Bamba in this year's Six Nations squad – and he answered. The 20-year-old may be wet behind the ears — he made his debut only in November — but if he gets his chance in this campaign then watch out. He was national judo champion when he was 14 and claims the upper-body strength he harnessed in the sport is the reason he is such a terrifying ball carrier. He could be France's next wrecking ball. Demba Bamba is a human wrecking ball and at the age of 14 he won a national judo tournament The tighthead boasts incredible biceps and believes his judo helped him with his rugby Should he be unleashed by Jacques Brunel, he has the potential to cause chaos https://www.youtube.com/embed/ODX4KYuIw08?feature=oembed The cow thrower: Jamie Bhatti (Scotland) Jamie Bhatti built his solid frame outside the conventional confines of the gym. The Glasgow Warrior once spent five years lugging around cow carcasses as part of his job as a slaughterman. 'Poor cows, man,' he told the BBC. 'Standing killing cows all day. I'll have killed 100,000 cows and I remember thinking at the time, 'I can't be in here for the rest of my days. I just can't be'.' From the abattoir to the Test arena, via a job as a doorman at Dusk nightclub in Stirling, the 25-year-old will hope to make a dent in this year's campaign after earning his Scotland recall. Jamie Bhatti has earned a recall to the Scotland squad and is an extremely strong competitor The Scotland prop built his sizeable frame by lugging cow carcasses about in an abattoir The veteran giant: Sergio Parisse – 35 years, 134 caps Sergio Parisse is a beacon of Italian rugby. At the ripe old age of 35, he is ripped to the hills and his 6ft 4in frame hits his opposite number like a train. With 134 caps - the most of anyone in this year's competition - the No 8 has certainly been there and done that. When he steps out against Scotland at Murrayfield for his 66th Six Nations appearance, he will take over Brian O'Driscoll as the player with the most outings in the competition. Parisse is Italy's talisman and a bona fide legend of northern hemisphere rugby, expect all good things from the Azzurri to centre around the giant back-rower. Italy captain Sergio Parisse has the most caps out of anyone in the competition The back-rower has maintained an incredible physique over a 17-year international career Parisse will overtake Brian O'Driscoll as the man with the most appearances in the Six Nations The power king: Billy Vunipola (England) Billy Vunipola will be England's most lethal weapon with ball in hand this campaign. The Saracens No 8 will hope to rekindle his best form when he puts on the white jersey and one thing is for sure, there will have been no shortage of work in the gym. Vunipola, when his knee allows, typically squats up to 230kg and will often put 50kg on his back and explode into the air in barbell jump drills. His power sessions have enabled him to become one of the most vaunted back-rowers in the game. England back-rower Billy Vunipola is the most damaging ball carrier in the competition His gym routine is centred around explosive circuits to maintain his incredible power England will hope he dents defences throughout the competition to put them on the front foot The one who's faster than Usain Bolt: Jonny May (England) The scariest sights in this Six Nations may not be in the form of giants. Indeed, for many forwards the sight of a jet-heeled winger flying towards them might be the most terrifying of all. England's Jonny May has recorded a sprint speed faster than eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. In 2017, he clocked a 40-metre sprint speed of 10.49 metres per second during one of Eddie Jones's training sessions. Truly frightening for those forwards a little soft around the edges. England and Leicester wing Johnny May is perhaps the fastest player in the competition His lightning feet have clocked a faster 40-metre sprint speed that Olympic great Usain Bolt Lightest Player: Tomos Williams (Wales) - 12st 1lb Tomos Williams will have to haul down players twice his weight during this year's championship (see Uini Atonio). The Cardiff Blues scrum-half has made his own mark on Welsh rugby, lauded for his sniping ability and fleetness of foot around the field. He may be small but make no bones about it, the 24-year-old will mix it with the big boys over the next two months. Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams is the lightest player in the tournament at 12st 1lb The diminutive No 9 will have to tackle players, such as Atonio, who are twice as heavy as him Shortest Player: Dan Robson (England) – 5ft 6in Dan Robson is poised to make his England debut when Jones's men head to Dublin. Standing opposite him will be Toner – a remarkable 1ft 4in taller than him. The Wasps scrum-half will be clinging on to these giants' legs for dear life during the tournament. But, as the old adage goes: the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Dan Robson (centre) is the shortest player to take part this year, standing at 5ft 6in Should Robson debut against Ireland, he will face Toner, who is 1ft 4in bigger Youngest Player: Romain Ntamack (France) – DOB 01/05/1999, age 19 And finally, let's spare a thought for the youngsters! The youngest of all is Romain Ntamack, the exciting Toulouse back who will make his debut against Wales on Friday night. If the name sounds familiar that's because he's the son of Emile Ntamack, who won 46 caps during a brilliant career with France and Toulouse in the 1990s. Ntamack Jnr will no doubt show just why he is one of the most exciting prospects in French rugby - but will he stack up to the physical tests against these beasts? Romain Ntamack will be the youngest player in the competition at just 19 years of age Ntamack had just turned three when Parisse made his Italy debut against New Zealand in 2002 All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility