Rob Carmichael is the tallest skilled rugby participant on this planet, and the towering lock is certified to play for England, Wales and Scotland.

Robert Carmichael has represented England at under-20s stage. (Picture: David Rogers, Getty Pictures)
Rob Carmichael stands at a formidable 6 ft 11 inches, making him the tallest lively skilled rugby participant globally. The 22-year-old lock presently performs for Edinburgh Rugby within the United Rugby Championship, having joined the Scottish membership on mortgage from Leicester Tigers in 2024 earlier than signing a three-year contract.
In a current interview on the Tall Tales podcast, Carmichael mentioned his extraordinary top and revealed that his older brother, who’s “solely” 6ft 5in, is usually mistaken for being youthful than him. Born in Hong Kong in 2003 to a Scottish father and English-Welsh mom who moved there within the Nineteen Nineties, Carmichael has spent most of his life in Asia.
Regardless of attempting his hand at basketball when he was youthful, Carmichael discovered it wasn’t his sport. Nevertheless, he quickly fell in love with rugby and performed for Sandy Bay RFC whereas dwelling on China’s southern coast.
The household made the transfer to Britain in 2019, when the towering teenager was roughly 16 years previous. It did not take lengthy for Tigers to recognise his promise and safe his providers for his or her academy.
He featured in two PREM Rugby Cup matches for Tigers and has beforehand turned out for England under-20s, although he stays certified for Scotland and Wales by way of heritage – however seems destined for worldwide responsibility with Scotland.
Talking on the Tall Tales podcast, he revealed it was a “huge tradition shock” relocating to Britain together with his kinfolk, although famous that rugby expertise spotters rapidly recognized him due to his stature.
Throughout his taking part in days in China, fellow gamers could not hoist him in lineouts because of the monumental measurement disparity, however this grew to become his essential position upon arriving in England. The Edinburgh lock acknowledged he occupies a lucky place. “My top has massively helped me get to the place I’m,” he defined.
“I have been given a variety of alternatives that possibly different folks would not have. I’ve labored very arduous to get to the place I’m, nevertheless it has clearly helped me massively. I do stand out, if nothing else.
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“Grandmas come as much as me and inform me that their grandson is as tall as me. You possibly can’t actually simply shut down an previous woman like that, however they’re all incorrect,” he joked with a smile.
When requested about being the tallest skilled rugby participant, Carmichael confirmed that Edinburgh have verified his standing, including that he’ll “humbly settle for that title.” Regardless of being the tallest amongst his pals and brothers, Carmichael takes their teasing in stride. “My brothers have known as me an enormous freak for thus lengthy,” he chuckles.
“It is not likely an insult anymore, it is simply form of… or they only name me a circus freak as nicely. Which could sound fairly harsh, however that is simply one in all my nicknames!”
After spending a season with Edinburgh within the URC, Carmichael is trying ahead to additional honing his expertise within the upcoming season, with the potential for a Scotland call-up now that he is taking part in for a membership there. The promising participant has already represented ‘Rising Scotland’ since his arrival, and has expressed his aspiration to play for the nation.
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“It is at all times been my dream to play for Scotland,” Carmichael shared with Edinburgh Rugby upon becoming a member of the crew. “I grew up in Hong Kong and I needed to play for them but when Scotland got here up and by some miracle I might do it, I’d.
“My dad’s aspect of the household are all Scottish so I’ve supported them for so long as I can keep in mind.”

















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