Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Early rugby did no more than distinguish in tactics between the great
bulk of the players who played as forwards and the relative few who
played back defensively as "tends", as in goaltenders. After a while, the
attacking or at least counter-attacking possibilities of playing close
behind the scrimmage (which later came to be called "scrummage")
came to be recognized, and some players stationed themselves between
A normal rugby union team formation illustrating
the forwards and tends as "half-tends". It being seen that the players
each of the positions and their respective
outside scrimmage (the "pack", i.e. the forwards) were not limited to a numbers.
defensive role, the tends and half-tends were renamed "back" and "half
back" positions.
As the game became more sophisticated, backs positioned at different depths (i.e. distances behind the forwards)
were further differentiated into half back, three quarters (the fraction 3/4) back, and full back, according to British
nomenclature, which was eventually adopted worldwide, with the word, 'back," often omitted for brevity from the
half back ("half") and three quarters back ("three quarter") names, and "fullback" as a single word.
Overview
Individual players' positions are made clear by the number they wear, as this generally indicates their role on the
pitch (unless they are a substitute or have switched position during the match). This means a player does not get a
personal squad number for his entire career, as in most American sports or in football. The International Rugby
Board (IRB) has laid down a numbering scheme for international matches, which is adopted at almost all levels of
the sport.
The main role of the forwards is to gain and retain possession of the ball. They take part in set pieces of the scrum
and the line-out. Generally, forwards are larger than the backs, and were traditionally stronger but slower and less
agile. However, the modern game has seen a change in the athleticism of forwards – many are now just as fast and
adept in open play as their counterparts in the backs. Forwards also have a role in ball carrying, but generally do so
by driving into the opposing forwards. The Laws of the Game define the terms prop, hooker, locks, flankers and
number eights and clearly state that a 3–2–3 or 3–4–1 formation must be used at scrums.
The role of the backs is to take the ball won by the forwards and score points, either by running or kicking the ball.
They are usually more agile and faster than forwards, but not as strong. The key attribute for most positions in the
back line is pace – however, the various specialist positions also require different skills, for example, the kicking
abilities needed by a good fly-half or fullback. Again, the type of person who would traditionally play in the backs –
small, agile, fast – is changing, with the advent of professionalism bringing increased size and strength into the
backs.
Rugby union positions 2
The following diagram locates the various positions in the 15-man team. All members of the starting 15 wear shirts
numbered from 1 to 15 and keyed to their positions (though alternatives exist); these numbers appear on the diagram
below. The first eight players, known as forwards or the pack, play in the scrum. The remaining seven players play
as the backs.
4 Lock 5 Lock
9 Scrum Half
10 Fly-half
12 Inside Centre
13 Outside Centre
15 Fullback
Flanker Wing forward, breakaway, flank, flank forward, loose forward, blind side, open side
Fly-half Outside half, out half, stand-off, stand-off half, five-eighth, first five-eighth, first five, fly, pivot
Tight forwards or Tight 5 or Front five The combined front row and second row
Loose forwards (Loosies) or Back row The flankers and the number 8
Five-eighths The fly-half and inside centre (1st and 2nd five eighths)
The fly-half is alternatively called the "stand-off half", since they are the half-back that stands off from the scrum
rather than close to it. In the southern hemisphere, especially in New Zealand and Australia, this position is usually
referred to as 'first five-eighth', or just 'five-eighth' – see below.
The use of the terms 'open' and 'blind' can also be confused. The two flankers are typically arranged so that one binds
to the scrum on the open side of the field. This will usually be his position throughout the game, with the other
flanker always taking the closed 'blind' side – also called the short side. Rarely do the flankers interchange roles,
simply taking the left or right side of the scrummage, irrespective of field position.
Centres will always line up as inside and outside centre – it is rare for them to always take left and right positions.
For the winger, it is different – he will be either on the left or right side, so may be referred to as either the blindside
or openside winger, depending on his position for a particular play in the game.
Northern Hemisphere
The IRB standard names tend to reflect Northern Hemisphere usage although fly-half is still often known as 'outside
half' in Britain and 'outhalf' in Ireland.
Australian Terms
In Australia, the second row of the scrum are often referred to as both "second row" and "locks". The forwards on
either side of the locks are known as "break-aways" with the No. 8 known as the "No. 8". Australians collectively
refer to the flankers and no. 8 as the "back-row", with flankers and no. 8 also often individually called
"back-rowers". Props and hookers are known collectively as "front rowers".
In the backs, the terms often overlap with that of the other code of rugby football, rugby league, with fly halves
called "5/8s or five-eighths" and scrumhalves "halfbacks".
Backs
15. Fullback
The full back stands back to cover defensive options as a 'sweeper' behind the main line of defence removed from the
other backs principally to field any opposition kicks. As the last line of defence, good tackling skills are desirable.
Backs have to catch the high kicks referred to as "up and unders", "Garryowens" or "bombs". Having taken a catch,
the full back may choose to return the kick, and so good tactical awareness and kicking skills are required.
Increasingly often, full backs are used to start counter-attacking moves from depth. Thus, they need to have excellent
attacking skills, pace and open field running prowess. In attack, the full back generally joins the three-quarter line
between the outside centre and the openside wing, providing the attacking team with an extra outside back.
Fullbacks in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Serge Blanco (France), Don Clarke (New Zealand),
Gavin Hastings (Scotland and Lions), Andy Irvine (Scotland and Lions), Tom Kiernan (Ireland and Lions), George
Nepia (New Zealand), and JPR Williams (Wales and Lions).
Three-quarters
Wings in the International Rugby Hall of Fame are: André Boniface (France), David Campese (Australia), Gerald
Davies (Wales and Lions), Ieuan Evans (Wales and Lions), John Kirwan (New Zealand), Jonah Lomu (New
Zealand), and Tony O'Reilly (Ireland and Lions). O'Reilly is also a member of the IRB Hall of Fame. Bill Maclagan,
a 19th-century player for Scotland and the Lions who played at three-quarters, which eventually evolved into the
modern position of wing, is a member of the IRB Hall of Fame but not the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
See also: Winger (sport)
Half-backs
10. Fly-half
A fly-half is crucial to a team's game plan. The fly-half is usually the one who calls set moves, or makes tactical
decisions. Fly-halves need to be quick-thinking in a game, such is the speed at which a situation can deteriorate, and
need to be able to communicate with all the backs and adapt them to the attacking or defending situation. Usually,
the fly-half is the kicker of the team, a role often shared with the centres or fullback. Many fly-halves are goal
kickers, and make most kicks for the team, whether it's tactical, or for touch.
Fly-halves in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Phil Bennett (Wales and Lions), Naas Botha (South
Africa), Mark Ella (Australia), Grant Fox (New Zealand), Barry John (Wales and Lions),Ronan O'Gara (Ireland and
Lions), Jack Kyle (Ireland and Lions), Michael Lynagh (Australia), Ian McGeechan (Scotland and Lions), Cliff
Morgan (Wales and Lions), Bennie Osler (South Africa), and Hugo Porta (Argentina). Kyle, McGeechan, Morgan,
Osler and Porta are also members of the IRB Hall of Fame.
Rugby union positions 6
9. Scrum-half
Scrum halves form the all-important link between the forwards and the backs, and are invariably at the centre of the
action. A scrum half is normally relatively small but with a high degree of vision, the ability to react to situations
very quickly, and good handling skills, as well as the ability to spin the ball with great ease off both hands.
They are often the first tackler in defence and are behind every scrum, maul or ruck to get the ball out and maintain
movement. They put the ball into the scrum and collect it afterwards; they also are allowed to stand further forward
than other backs at a line-out to try to catch knock downs from the jumper.
It is also not unusual to have talkative scrum-halves in competitive situations.In some cases, though technically
illegal, most scrum-halves will subtly alert the referee to fouls and infringements committed by the opposing team.
Scrum-halves in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Ken Catchpole (Australia), Danie Craven (South
Africa), Gareth Edwards (Wales and Lions), Nick Farr-Jones (Australia) and Joost van der Westhuizen (South
Africa). Craven and Edwards are also members of the IRB Hall of Fame.
Utility backs
A few players are capable of playing multiple back positions, even at Test level. Such players are often termed
"utility backs". Although no true utility back is in either the International Rugby or IRB Halls of Fame, some
examples of modern utility backs include:
• Austin Healey, has started at Scrum-Half, Fly-Half, Full Back, and Wing for England throughout his career.
• Mike Catt, England and Lions — Earned multiple Test caps at fullback, fly-half and centre, and one on the
wing.[2]
• Matt Giteau, Australia. — Has 68 test caps, distributed amongst scrum half, fly-half and inside centre.
• Chris Paterson, Scotland — Has started 45 Tests at wing, 30 at fullback, and 11 at fly-half.[3]
• François Steyn, South Africa — Has multiple Test caps at every back position except scrum-half.[4]
• Adam Ashley-Cooper, Australia — Has 37 Test caps to date, including starts at wing, fullback and both inside
and outside centre.[5]
• James Hook, Wales – Has played 37 tests for Wales, at Fly Half, Full Back and Centre, he has also played Scrum
Half and Wing, though never at test level
• Damien Traille, France — Is able to play at test level centre as well as full back or fly half.
• James O'Connor, Australia – Has played full back and wing at test level but also covers both centres and fly-half.
• Mils Muliaina, New Zealand – Plays full back on a regular basis, but has also played at centre and wing at test
level.
• Isaia Toeava, New Zealand – Has played Wing, Centre, Fullback and inside centre
Forwards
Front row
A tighthead prop is so called because they pack down on the right-hand side of the scrum and so (because the players
engage to the left of their opponents) their head fits between the opposing loosehead prop and hooker. In contrast,
the loosehead prop packs down on the left-hand side where their head is outside that of the opposing tighthead prop.
Although it may look to the neutral observer that the two positions are quite similar (and some players have the
ability to play on both sides of the scrum), the technical challenges of each are quite different. Jason Leonard
(England and Lions) and Gethin Jenkins (Wales and Lions) are rare in being able to prop on either side at the top
level.
The laws of the game require the tighthead prop to bind with his/her right arm outside the left upper arm of his/her
opposing loosehead prop and similarly they restrict what the loosehead prop can do with his/her left arm. Hence, the
laws implicitly require the loosehead prop to be on the left side of the scrum. Although the scrum half may put the
ball in on either side of the scrum, they are unlikely to choose the tighthead side because otherwise the opposing
hooker would be between him and his hooker.
Props are also in the position of being able to direct the movement of the scrum in moving side to side to prevent the
other team's scrum from "wheeling" the set scrum and forcing another "put in" from the opposing side.
Outside of the scrum and line-outs, props use their great strength and weight to win rucks and mauls for their teams
and to make large drives forwards with the ball.
Props in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Jason Leonard (England and Lions), Syd Millar (Ireland and
Lions) and Wilson Whineray (New Zealand). Millar and Whineray are also members of the IRB Hall of Fame.
2. Hooker
Hooker is a key position in attacking and defensive play. The name is derived from the fact that hookers use their
feet to 'hook' the ball in the scrum; because of the pressure put on the body by the scrum it is considered to be one of
the most dangerous positions to play. They also normally throw the ball in at line-outs. Hookers have more in
common with back row forwards, with many being used as ball carriers, despite the fact that they are often the
smallest of the forwards. The hooker is typically a key player in the scrum generally being regarded as its leader. A
hooker will not allow his forwards to engage until he feels that the binds are right and all players are ready. In
addition, hookers may act as an extra prop in the scrum and, instead of contesting the feed, they aim to wreak havoc
on opposition feeds. Often the hooker and the loosehead prop will combine to attack the opposition tighthead, as
disrupting the no. 3 is often the key to gaining the upper hand at scrum time. Hookers tend to control the forwards
and are often the players who direct the forwards in mauls.
Hookers in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) and Keith Wood (Ireland
and Lions).
4. & 5. Lock
Locks (second row) are almost always the tallest players on the team and so are the primary targets at line-outs. At
line-outs, locks must jump aggressively, usually being lifted by team mates, to catch the ball and get it to the scrum
half, or at least get the first touch so that the ball comes down on their side.
In scrums the two locks (second row) slide their heads between a prop and the hooker on either side so that each of
their shoulders is directly supporting the buttock/upper thigh of those players in order to drive/support the front row
during the scrummage. They bind tightly together and enter the scrum simultaneously, generally as directed by the
hooker once the front row is set. They are also responsible for keeping the scrum square and the front row together,
while providing the supportive power to drive the scrum forward. (This position is referred to as the "engine room".)
The props, hooker, and locks (2nd row) are also often referred to as the "tight five" because of their role in a
scrummage. "Tight five" refers to how tight these players must be bound together in order to be effective in a scrum.
Locks are very tall, athletic and have an excellent standing jump, along with good strength. They also make good
ball carriers, bashing holes in the defence around the ruck and maul. They are the main figures of rucks and mauls,
Rugby union positions 8
Back row
8. Number eight
Number eight is the only position that does not have a specific name in English and is simply referred to as "number
eight" or "eighthman". The modern number eight has the physical strength of a tight forward along with the mobility
and pace of other loose forwards (he is often the fastest loose forward in the pack). The number eight packs down at
the rear of the scrum, controlling the movement of the ball to the scrum-half with his feet. The number eight is the
position where the ball enters the backline from the scrum and, hence, both fly-half and inside centre take their lead
from the number eight who, as the hindmost player in the scrum, can elect to pick and run with the ball like a back.
As a result, the number eight has similar opportunities to a back to run from set plays.
They are normally tall and athletic and used as an option to win the ball from the back of the lineout. Like flankers
they do less of the pushing than locks or props, but need to be quick to cover opposition half-backs. A number eight
should be a key ball-winner in broken play, and occasionally a 'battering ram' at the front of rucks; he should also be
able to break the opposition's line like his blindside flanker counterpart and the centres.
Number eights in the International Rugby Hall of Fame include: Mervyn Davies (Wales and British Lions), Morne
du Plessis (South Africa), Brian Lochore (New Zealand) and Hennie Muller (South Africa) .
Rugby union positions 9
References
[1] "Rugby positions guide" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ sport2/ hi/ rugby_union/ rules_and_equipment/ 6332057. stm). BBC.co.uk. 2007-02-05. .
Retrieved 2007-02-06.
[2] "Statsguru / Player analysis / Mike Catt / Test matches" (http:/ / www. scrum. com/ statsguru/ rugby/ player/ 11696.
html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match). Scrum.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
[3] "Statsguru / Player analysis / Chris Paterson / Test matches" (http:/ / www. scrum. com/ statsguru/ rugby/ player/ 13266.
html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match). Scrum.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
[4] "Statsguru / Player analysis / Frans Steyn / Test matches" (http:/ / www. scrum. com/ statsguru/ rugby/ player/ 15421.
html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match). Scrum.com. . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
[5] "Statsguru / Player analysis / Adam Ashley-Cooper / Test matches" (http:/ / www. scrum. com/ statsguru/ rugby/ player/ 15009.
html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match). Scrum.com. . Retrieved 2009-09-14.
External links
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/rules_and_equipment/6332057.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/
sport1/hi/rugby_union/rules_and_equipment/6332057.stm)
• Country by country list of the names of player positions (http://www.uidaho.edu/clubs/womens_rugby/
RugbyRoot/rugby/FAQ/positions.html)
• http://www.sarfu.org.za/default.asp?cId=7534&print=yes (http://www.sarfu.org.za/default.
asp?cId=7534&print=yes)
Article Sources and Contributors 10
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/