Breaking a tackle in rugby league is like a skilful dribble in football and can open a defence wide open and that is what these five players are the best at.

5. Bevan French – Wigan Warriors
People often focus on the speed of Bevan French and his agility but he also has the strength to pull out of tackles and break out of the efforts of defenders. He made a huge 98 tackle busts.

4. Matty Russell – Warrington Wolves
Matty Russell has always been brilliant at tackle busts. Powerful and explosive, Russell often breaks tackles which is why he is a great asset to the Wolves as he returns. He made 100 tackle busts in a struggling Toulouse Olympique side last season.

3. Jack Welsby – St Helens
Another player you wouldn’t expect to be high on this list, but Jack Welsby is deceptively strong and hard to put down. This is perhaps why he has played loose-forward in the past. He made 109 tackle busts last year.

2. Jai Field – Wigan Warriors
Like French, Field is often praised for his speed and evasion. Field though can use his speed mixed with power and strength can bust tackles frequently as he tears through tired and strained defences. He made 116 tackle busts.

1. Derrell Olpherts – Leeds Rhinos
Derrell Olpherts made a massive 131 tackle busts in 2022. That will have been a key to Leeds pursuing him as being able to generate second phase play with tackle busts is key to Rohan Smith’s style of play.