Rugby positions

**Forwards**

1) Loosehead prop

2) Hooker

3) Tighthead prop

4) Openside flanker

5) Blindslide flanker

6) Lock

**Backs**

7) Scrum-half

8) Fly-half

9) Outside centre

10) Inside centre

11) Wing

12) Wing

13) Fullback

## Backs

### **Fullback**

They are the last line of defence, standing behind the main line of defenders. Defensively, fullbacks must be able to chase and tackle any player who breaks the first line of defence, and must be able to catch and return kicks made by the attacking side. Their role in attack is usually as a support player, and they are often used to come into the line to create an overlap in attack.

### **Wing**

There are 2 of them. They are usually positioned closest to the touch-line on each side of the field. They are generally among the fastest players in a team, with the speed to exploit space that is created for them and finish an attacking move. In defence their primary role is to mark their opposing wingers, and they are also usually required to catch and return kicks made by an attacking team, often dropping behind the defensive line to help the fullback.

### **Centre**

There are two centers in a rugby team, inside center (number 10) and outside center (number 9). The inside center usually stands close to the fly-half or at first receiver on the other side of the scrum. Like the fly-half, they generally possess a good kicking game and are good at reading the play and directing the attack. The outside center is positioned outside the inside center and is generally the faster of the two. The centers' main role is to provide space for the players outside them. They need to run good lines (run into spaces or at 90 degrees to their opposition), be able to side step and swerve, and have good passing skills. When the ball is moved along the opposition backline, the centres are the first players to make the tackle. They need to be aggressive tacklers to knock their opponent down and seize the ball and be good at organizing the defensive lines. Outside centers generally have more room to move than inside centers. Centers also can run as decoys to confuse the defense.

### **Fly-half**

A fly-half possesses leadership and order the back line. They are usually the first to receive the ball from the scrum-half following a tackle, line-out or scrum and need to be decisive with what actions to take and be effective at communicating with the outside backs. Good fly-halves are calm, clear thinking and have the vision to direct effective attacking plays. Fly-halves need good passing and kicking skills. Often the fly-half is the best kicker in the team and needs to be able to execute attacking kicks such as up-and-unders, grubbers and chip kicks as well as being able to kick for territory. Many fly-halves are also the team's goal kickers.

### **Scrum-half**

The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. They receive the ball from the line-out and remove the ball from the back of the scrum, usually passing it to the fly-half. They also feed the scrum. Along with the fly-half, they make many of the tactical decisions on the field. During general play, the scrum-half is generally the player who receives the ball from the forwards and passes it to the backs. They have to be good communicators, especially at directing the forwards around, and their aim is to provide the backs with clean ball. Good scrum-halves have an excellent pass, a good tactical kick and are deceptive runners. At defensive scrums they put pressure on the opposition scrum-half or defend the blindside. In defensive open play they generally cover for deep kicks after the ball has been passed wide. It is usually the scrum-half who plays in the dummy-half position, receiving the ball from the play-the-ball and continuing the team's attack by passing the ball to a teammate or by running with the ball themselves.

## Forwards

### **Lock**

The lock forms the second row. They scrummage by pushing against the front row thereby providing much of the power and are commonly known as the engine room. They are almost always the tallest players in a team and are the primary targets when the ball is thrown in at line-outs. A lock must also have good catching and tackling ability. At the line-out, the lock is lifted and supported by teammates, allowing them to compete for the ball, either passing or tapping it to the scrum-half or setting up a drive. In scrums, the lock bind tightly together and each put their heads between a prop and the hooker. They compete for the kick-offs and commonly make short runs carrying the ball into contact (sometimes known as "crash balls").

### **Flanker**

The flanker's role is to tackle the opposition and try to steal the ball. The openside flanker binds to the side of the scrum that covers the greatest area, while the blindside covers the side nearest the side-line. They bind loosely to the side of the scrum, but still play an important role in keeping the props tight by pushing at an angle. They should be the first forward from a scrum or line-out and are expected to link with the backline or secure the ball at the tackle. Both positions have a high workrate, meaning the players need to be fit, fast and good at reading the opposition's attacking plays. During open play they need to arrive quickly at the next tackle. The blindside is generally the larger of the two and usually acts as a third jumping option at the line-out. The openside flanker is usually faster than the blindside, with good opensides excellent at turning over the ball at the tackle. Teams often use their openside flankers to 'charge' the opposition fly-half, putting pressure on him and forcing him to rush his decision making, kicking or passing. Blindside flankers also have the task of stopping any attempt by the opposition to run with the ball around the blindside of a scrum.

### **Prop**

The props pack into the front row of the scrum on either side of the hooker and are usually the largest and heaviest players on a team. In attack, their size and strength means that they are primarily used for running directly into the defensive line, as a kind of "battering ram" to simply gain metres. The prop also attempts to provide stability at the scrum and support the hooker in quickly winning the ball. At the line-out, the prop's role is to support the jumper as they compete for the ball. They are usually positioned at the front of the line-out with a jumper in between them. They are also often involved in lifting jumpers when receiving kick-offs

### **Hooker**

The hooker is positioned between the 2 props in the scrum and generally throws the ball into the line-out. After the scrum-half has put the ball into the scrum, the hookers use their feet to "hook" the ball back and win possession for their team. When the opposition is putting the ball into the scrum, the hooker will either attempt to win the ball or try to disrupt the scrum. The hooker is usually more mobile than the props and are often used to carry the ball up during open play. Only specialist front row players can play hooker; if a team cannot field one for any reason, the scrums will become uncontested.

## Roles

### **Marker**

Following a tackle, the defending team may position two players – known as markers – at the play-the-ball to stand, one behind the other facing the tackled player and the attacking team's dummy-half.

### **Dummy half**

The dummy half or acting half back is the player who stands behind the play-the-ball and collects the ball, before passing, running or kicking the ball. The scrum-half has become almost synonymous with the dummy half role. However, any player of any position can play the role at any time and this often happens during a game, particularly when the scrum-half is the player tackled.

### **First receiver**

The first receiver is the name given to the first player to receive the ball off the play-the-ball, i.e. from the dummy-half.

### **Second receiver**

If the ball is passed immediately by the first receiver, then the player catching it is sometimes referred to as the second receiver.

### **Utility**

A player who can play in a number of different positions is often referred to as a "utility player", "utility forward", or "utility back".

### **Goal-kicker**

Although any player can attempt his team's kicks at goal (penalty kicks or conversions), most teams have specific players who train extensively at kicking, and often use only one player to take goal kicks during a game.

### **Captain**

The captain is the on-field leader of a team and a point of contact between the referee and a team, and can be a player of any position. Some of the captain's responsibilities are stipulated in the laws.

Before a match, the 2 teams' captains toss a coin with the referee. The captain that wins the toss can decide to kick off or can choose which end of the field to defend. The captain that loses the toss then takes the other of the alternatives.

The captain is often seen as responsible for a team's discipline. When a team persistently breaks the laws, the referee while issuing a caution will often speak with the team's captain to encourage them to improve their team's discipline.