Rugby Football History All Blacks Barbarians Canada British & Irish Lions Ireland Scotland Springboks USA Wales Wallabies Introduction Originally the number of players in a game of Rugby football was not limited, and there were no formal playing positions. Games at rugby school were simply played by however many boys wanted to play in a particular game. A kind of huge rolling maul developed, moving around the field since there was a very limited amount of space on the field in which to run. As the game began to be played between different schools and clubs a fixed number of players was needed. The first internationals were played 20 a side (Scotland vs. England being the first in 1871). The number of players was reduced to 15 in 1876 after Oxford persuaded Cambridge to play the varsity match with just 15 players in 1874/75. The move was a great success since it opened up the space in which to run with the ball. Most club games used 15 players during 1876 and the first international with fifteen players was England vs. Ireland in 1877.

"Numbers are not necessary and they savour of professionalism and the circus" The First Numbers The practice of showing the player's number on the shirt/jersey started in 1897 when New Zealand played Queensland in Brisbane (which was the first New Zealand tour match). The idea was to enable spectators to identify players by placing numbers on their backs. Match cards (programmes) were sold listing the players' names and their corresponding numbers, and these proved popular with the public. The numbers used on that tour were 1 to 15 (from full-back to the forwards) for New Zealand and 16 to 30 for the host teams. The Australians quickly adopted the practice for their Tests against New Zealand ( the first Trans-Tasman Test, 15th August, 1903) and the British/Irish (1904) they numbered teams in reverse with the full-back wearing 15, as today. South Africa wore numbers for the first time in 1906 on their tour to the UK.

The All Blacks wore numbers when they made their first official tour to Britain, and for the famous Wales Test at Cardiff on December 16, 1905 both teams were numbered: 1 for full-back (Wales), but 15 for full-back (New Zealand). 1905 All Blacks vs Midland Counties In 1921 England and Wales brought the matter before the IRB but the conclusion was that this was a matter to be decided by the individual unions. In 1922 England played Wales in Cardiff and both teams used player numbering for the first time in a home nations championship game (Six nations). Some other countries did not adopt it till much later e.g. Scotland who adopted it first in 1928 in a game against France. Interestingly enough the committee consulted a senior cap (John Bannerman) afterwards to elicit the the views of the players and after the feedback was against it, they removed the numbers again until re-introducing them in 1933.

When Scotland played England in the Calcutta cup at Twickenham in 1928 King George V asked a former president of the SFU James Aikman Smith (known as Napoleon) why Scotland were not wearing numbers and was told "This sir is a rugby match not a cattle sale". Numbers did not return to Scotland's jerseys until two years after Smith's death. Official programmes were usually very flimsy productions produced by the Union staging a Test, but there were often "pirate" versions issued by opportunists out to make a fast buck. The Unions deliberately chopped and changed numbering methods to outwit the pirates, and the public were warned, in the press and at grounds, that only the official programmes had the "correct numbers for players." Edinburgh Academicals and Herriot's College arranged to number their players for the game on Saturday 21st February 1931. The first time two Scottish teams were numbered. By 1950 all the home nations used numbers but England, Scotland and Wales numbered the players starting from the full back (1) and France and Ireland did the reverse with the fullback being 15.

By 1960/1 they had all agreed to use the France/Ireland numbering. The RFU publication "Rugby Union Football - Know the game" 1950 states that there are no hard and fast rules governing the names of the positions or the numbers worn but lists the custom in Britain at the time. The following table lists some of the common formats although it should be noted that many changes occurred over the years and sometimes just for specific tours. Position 16 onwards, up to 22 Notes: 1. Other common variations in the numbering is the interchange of 6 and 7 (particularly in South Africa and Argentina) or 11 and 14. 2. Wales avoided the number 13 for a number of years and therefore numbered 1-16. 3. Wales switched to letters in the 1930s but ended this practice during the 1950s. Letters Some clubs and international sides like Wales used letters instead of numbers,below is a picture of England vs. Wales in 1939 just after Derek Teden has scored the winning try. The Welsh players can clearly be seen sporting letters not numbers i.e.

Woller (C) and Jenkins (A). Some clubs, out of tradition, used special player labeling schemes for a number of years. Notably Leicester Tigers and Bristol used alternative schemes consisting of letters, whilst others Bath and Richmond used a scheme with no number 13. West Hartlepool hung up their No. 5 jersey in memory of their lock John How who died of a heart condition in a 1994 league match. Below you can see Bristol (letters) playing Bath (no number 13). The English Premiership sides have ceased using these special labeling schemes, to better aid the understanding of those new to the sport. There also used to be regional variations to the way line-ups were listed. Most of the time, the first player mentioned is actually the number 15. The two mainstream styles of listing a line-up are 15-9 then 1-8 and 15-1. However, you may see the centers messed up and the same is often done to the back row.

The British media usually use the 15-9, 1-8 methodology, an article taken from Scrum.com (historian John Griffiths) explains this as follows: "The first Test played under rugby union rules was Scotland v England at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, on March 27, 1871. The most detailed coverage of that match appeared in the next day's edition of The Scotsman. Nearly 24 inches (60 cm) of column space was given to the game and the teams were prominently displayed to show clearly the players' positions on the field. The English Twenty was listed first, with the backs preceding the forwards. The so-called "Scotch" Twenty was listed underneath in the same way" - John Griffiths Formations varied many times in the late 1800s. Teams were reduced to fifteen-a-side for the 1877 international matches, but it was not until 1894, when all four of the Home Unions adopted the four three-quarter system, that team line-ups began to resemble today's formations. For many years teams were listed with the words full-back, three-quarters, half-backs and forwards added for clarification.

Nowadays the British/Irish press assume their readers are familiar with team formations. The earliest Test cards (programmes) that are still in existence date from the Scotland v England match of 1873 at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow. The teams were listed from back to front on that card, as indeed they were on the England v Scotland 1876 card for the match at The Oval and the Ireland v England 1875 card for the game at the Rathmines Cricket Ground in Dublin - the earliest-known programmes still in existence for English and Irish home Tests. It is probable that the media took the team lists from the match programmes. " Player number/letter chart Positions – Talk Rugby Union Scroll Up Rugby Union Positions Aside from the obvious, one major distinction between football and rugby union is the latter’s extra emphasis on positional discipline. Whereas football is decidedly fluid, with most players having the freedom to assist in areas which are not their forte and often having personal squad numbers, rugby union players are numbered according to their position, with each one carrying with it a series of responsibilities.

The basic split in a 15-man rugby union side is between the eight Forwards (numbered 1-8) and the seven Backs (numbered 9-15). These two camps both have basic tasks to achieve as a group but, more specifically, contain players with particular skills to complete them successfully. The Forwards The Forwards’ chief responsibility is to gain and retain possession of the ball, whether in open play or from set pieces such as the scrum and the line-out. They will contain the most physically intimidating members of the team, with weight and power a major issue. However, as general athletic standards have increased in the modern game, so Forwards are today expected to have some speed and agility, particularly when carrying the ball. The Forwards are made up of the following positions: Loosehead Prop (No. 1) The loosehead prop supports the hooker in the scrum and the jumpers in the line-out. He/she must have plenty of power for the scrum but, at the same time, they are vital to the proper functioning and movement of the scrum. Indeed, when substituting a prop, his/her replacement must be a prop themselves, such are the skills required.

More specifically, the loosehead prop can be found on the left-hand side of the scrum and is so called because he/she is not locked into the scrum. Instead, his/her head is outside that of the opposition tighthead prop Tighthead Prop (No. 3) Identical to the loosehead prop, but the tighthead packs down on the right-hand side of the scrum and is named ‘tighthead’ because they are locked between two opponents (the loosehead prop and the hooker). There are other subtle differences in technique, which you will pick up as you get further into the sport. Famous Props – Jason Leonard (England), Wilson James Whineray (New Zealand). Hooker (No. 2) The hookers are unsurprisingly responsible chiefly for hooking the ball with their feet in the scrum, although some are experienced and skilled enough to act as an extra prop as well (to complicate opposition feeds by the scrum-half). The hooker additionally usually throw the ball at line-outs, and it’s their responsibility to ensure success with good distribution. Famous Hookers – Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) The Locks (Nos.

4 & 5) The locks are typically the tallest players and act as targets at line-outs, having to catch and distribute to the scrum-half or at least pat the ball on his/her team’s side. At the scrum, they are vitally located between the props and the hooker, and provide balance and momentum to the team’s efforts. They are also extremely important in rucks and mauls, and need to be effective ball carriers, making the locks pivotal to how the forwards generally operate and succeed. Famous Locks – Martin Johnson (England), Colin Meads (New Zealand), John Eales (Australia) Blindside Flanker (No. 6) The flanker is a curiosity in rugby union, being the only true all-rounder position with no set duties. It is therefore paradoxical that flankers are considered potential game-winning players. In the scrum, they are not big pushers and, although they must stay locked to the scrum until the ball is out (a recent introduction to the laws), they must respond quickly and unbind when it does.

Blindside flankers are generally larger than their openside counterparts and are so-called because they attach to the scrum on the side closer to the touchline and cover attacks on the blindside of the scrum. Throughout the game, the blindside flanker should act as a real ball-winner and can even perform duties as a jumper in the lineout. Openside Flanker (No. 7) Fundamentally similar to the blindside flanker, the openside equivalent is usually smaller and more agile, with extra pace to provide impetus to attacks. In the scrum, they are found on the side furthest from the touchline, allowing them to get into open play more quickly and, if they receive possession, test out the opponent’s defence for weaknesses. Famous Flankers – Richie McCaw (New Zealand), François Pienaar (South Africa), Wavell Wakefield (England) Number Eight (No. 8) The number eight is very much a linking man for the Forwards and the Backs, incorporating the attributes of both sets. Their fundamental role is to augment the team’s ball-winning and ball-carrying.

As such, they can be found in the rear of the scrum, controlling the movement and either feeding the ball to the scrum-half once it has been hooked back, or taking the ball on and running at the opposition. Similarly, they are typically located at the back of the lineout, providing an option for a long throw-in. Famous Number Eights – Hennie Muller (South Africa), Lawrence Dallaglio (England), Morne du Plessis (South Africa) The Backs The Backs are expected to both create and convert point-scoring opportunities after the ball has been won and taken on by the Forwards. All members have to be agile and dynamic, with pace a major attribute for many positions, but kicking skills are a priority elsewhere. Moreover, just as the Forwards have grown more agile in recent years, so too the disparity in size and strength between the Forwards and the Backs has shrunk markedly to allow the latter to contribute more effectively in defence and attack. Scrum-half (No. 9) Much like the number 8 links the Forwards to the Backs, so too the scrum-half connects the Backs to the Forwards.

The scrum-half is involved in play at all times – feeding the ball into the scrum and usually distributing after it has left, standing at the side of the lineout waiting to receive the ball from the jumpers, and following rucks and mauls. He or she is also the first line of defence in most situations. Precisely because of these duties, the scrum-half has to be smaller than the majority of the team, have outstanding handling and distribution, as well as a fair amount of guile. For example, England’s Matt Dawson set up teammate Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop goal to win the World Cup final in 2003 with what he later described as a ‘schoolboy dummy’ to evade tacklers and gain the necessary territory, putting Wilkinson in range. Famous Scrum-Halves – Gareth Edwards (Wales; arguably the greatest player of all-time), Matt Dawson (England), George Gregan (Australia) Fly-half (No. 10) Otherwise known as the flying half back, the fly-half is arguably the most influential player on the pitch, as he calls the tactical game on the pitch with his kicking, distribution and ball-carrying from deep.

The fly-half is also typically the goal-kicker. As a result, the fly-half has to be a leader, a powerful and accurate kicker, and yet also perform to the highest standard in defense. Famous Fly-Halves – Jonny Wilkinson (England), Grant Fox (New Zealand), Michael Lynagh (Australia), Daniel Carter (New Zealand) Wingers (Nos. 11 & 14) The wingers are big try scorers and are usually seen on hand finishing a successful attack. Every time you hear a commentator refer to an ‘overlap’, for example, it will typically be the winger who receives the scoring pass. Therefore, the wingers are the quickest players and, during attacks, run into the space up to the try line provided by the forwards and the other backs. That said, because of their defensive duties, recent decades have seen more powerful wingers who can ride tackles as well as put in strong ones of their own. The incredible impact of New Zealand’s 19-stone winger Jonah Lomu in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups was a decisive moment, encouraging wingers to take on the traits of other players as well as their physiques.

As such, wingers today can also be ‘link players’, comprising the skills of half-backs and fullbacks as part of ‘the 3’ (the two wingers and the full-back – all with starting positions closest to their team’s goal area). Famous Wingers – David Campese (Australia), Jonah Lomu (New Zealand), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Jason Robinson (England) Inside Centre (No. 12) & Outside Centre (No. 13) Like their flanker counterparts in the Forwards, the Centres are all-rounders, but with extra power, mobility and handling to augment the defensive capabilities of the Backs as well as provide some venom to the offence. Both Centres receive frequent balls from the fly-half to test the opposition’s defensive line and expose gaps which either they or the wingers can profit from. However, whereas the outside centre tends more towards wing-play, the inside centre more closely approximates the fly-half in his or her abilities.

It is subsequently far from unique for a fly-half to play at inside centre and vice versa (England’s Jonny Wilkinson is a notable example) Famous Centres – Tana Umaga (New Zealand), Philippe Sella (France), Mike Tindall (England), Mils Muliaina (New Zealand) Fullback (No. 15) The fullback acts as a sweeper behind the first few lines of defence, but his responsibilities don’t end with tackling. The fullback must also have good handling, distribution and kicking. Furthermore, despite his withdrawn position in the scrums and the lineouts, the fullback has become increasingly pivotal to a team’s offensive game in recent years – initiating attacks from deep in the field. One tradition which has endured is the fullback’s duty to contend with high-kicks from opposition players while under pressure. Famous Fullbacks – Christian Cullen (New Zealand), Gavin Hastings (Scotland), George Nepia (New Zealand) Rugby Football History All Blacks Barbarians Canada British & Irish Lions Ireland Scotland Springboks USA Wales Wallabies Introduction Originally the number of players in a game of Rugby football was not limited, and there were no formal playing positions.

Games at rugby school were simply played by however many boys wanted to play in a particular game. A kind of huge rolling maul developed, moving around the field since there was a very limited amount of space on the field in which to run. As the game began to be played between different schools and clubs a fixed number of players was needed. This then allowed players to start specializing in certain positions and to develop particular skills appropriate to those positions. Rugby teams were then limited to twenty players made up of seventeen forwards and three full backs whose sole job was to maintain possession if the opposition managed to hack it out the scrum. Circa 1875 the number of players in a team was reduced to fifteen (ten forwards and five backs). Today the player names, positions and numbers worn on shirts are defined by the International Rugby Board (IRB). Players usually have the following position names and numbers although there are some local variations in namingin common use: F full back 1 & 3 Prop Along with the hooker, the loose-head and tight-head props make up what is known as the front row, which refers to their position in the scrum.

To be successful, both props must be extremely strong in the neck, shoulders, upper body and legs, and they should relish head-to-head competition. While stopping their side of the scrum from moving backwards, the props also support the hooker's body weight, allowing him or her to see and strike the ball when it is put into the scrum. In the lineout, props should be able to support or lift the jumper to prevent the opposition winning the ball. Away from set pieces, props help to secure the ball when a player has been tackled, so it helps if they can combine their power with a degree of mobility. You’ll also often see them used as battering rams in attack, receiving short passes after a ruck or maul and hitting the opposition defence at pace in an attempt to occupy the defenders and make space for their own backs. 2 Hooker Lining up in the scrum between the two props, the hooker is one of the forwards’ key decision-makers. He or she will coordinate the timing at the scrum, and is also responsible for winning possession in the scrummage by hooking the ball back through the props' legs.

To allow the hooker to do this effectively, the props support much of the hooker’s weight, leaving him or her free to concentrate on hooking the ball back, rather than pushing against the opposition forwards. For this reason the hooker is often the smallest member of a front-row trio. At the lineout he or she is responsible for throwing the ball in and must be able to accurately hit the lineout jumper who is expecting the ball. In open play the hooker plays a similar role to the props, securing possession at rucks and mauls, or taking short ‘crash’ passes. 4 & 5 Lock The second row forwards (also known as locks) are the engine room of the scrum and the target men in the lineout, meaning that they need to be tall, powerful players with excellent scrummaging technique and pinpoint timing. If they bind to each other and the props too loosely in the scrum their pack will lose power, and if they are not accurate and dynamic with their lineout jumping, it offers the opposition forwards a chance to steal possession. In open play the second row’s duties have evolved from being support players at rucks and mauls to ball carriers.

If a marauding second row is comfortable with the ball in hand, their bulk and power makes them very difficult to stop. 6 & 7 Flanker Open-side and blind-side flankers are often considered to be the players with the fewest set responsibilities, but as such must be excellent all-rounders with inexhaustible energy. Speed, strength, fitness, tackling and handling skills are all vital. Flankers are more often than not at the centre of the action – winning balls at the ruck and maul, collecting short passes from tackled players and making their own big tackles in open play. While they can rarely be blamed for a loss, they can certainly be the key to victory. The open-side flanker plays on the far side of the scrum from the touchline and is often smaller in size than their blind-side partner, making them more mobile around the pitch. The blind-side flanker tends to have bigger, more physical role around the pitch, and also acts as a target jumper in the lineout. 8 Number Eight Support play, tackling and ball-carrying are the No.8’s areas of expertise, making his or her duties similar to the two flankers. Together the trio forms a unit called the back row.

Binding on right at the back of the scrum, the No.8 is also the only player from the forwards who is allowed to pick the ball up from the base of the scrum. It is a move that is often used to gain vital yards when a team is scrummaging close to the opposition try line, and for it to be truly effective the No.8 must be an explosive, dynamic runner. 9 Scrum-Half Acting as the link between the forwards and the backs, the scrum half is a key player when it comes to building attacks. Playing just behind the forwards, a good scrum half will control exactly when the ball is fed out to the backs from the rear of a scrum, ruck or maul. A scrum half needs good vision, speed and awareness, quick hands and lightning reactions. They tend to be one of the smaller players on the pitch and so rely on protection from their own forwards. An indecisive or poorly protected scrum half makes easy meat for a rampaging opposition flanker. 10 Fly-Half The heartbeat of the side and arguably the most influential player on the pitch.

Almost every attack will go through the fly half, who also has the responsibility of deciding when to pass the ball out to the centres and when to kick for position. The fly half must orchestrate the team's back line, deciding what rehearsed moves to put into action and reacting to gaps in defence. He or she is also the main target for the defending team's open-side flanker and so must be strong in the tackle. The fly half has to be able to relieve territorial pressure by kicking down the field into touch, and is often the team's designated place kicker for conversions, penalties and drop goal attempts. In defence he or she will marshal the backs to ensure each opposition player is covered, and a strong-tackling fly half can snuff out opposition attacks before they start. 11 & 14 Wing Playing out wide on the side of the pitch, the winger is a team’s finisher in attack. A winger is also often the last line of defence when they don’t have the ball and as such, pace is their major resource.

12 & 13 Centre The inside centre – who stands closest to the fly half when the backs line up – and the outside centre tend to be strong, dynamic runners with a good eye for exposing gaps in the opposition defence. In attack they tend to run very direct lines. The centres take on their opposite number in an attempt to either break the defensive line, or draw in enough opposition defenders to create space and try-scoring opportunities for their team-mates. As such they need to be strong and powerful, and when attack turns into defence, they must also be accomplished at tackling. The inside centre is often the more creative in a centre pairing and should be able to pass and kick nearly as well as the fly half. In either defence or attack, the inside centre tends to be all action – dishing out the tackles and then drawing the opposition defence. Meanwhile, the outside centre tends to be the faster of the two and the ability to offload the ball quickly to the wingers is also vital. 15 Full-back Lining up behind the entire back line, the full back is the closest thing that rugby has to a sweeper in defence.

But they also receive deep kicks from the opposition, so they must be comfortable catching high balls and launching attacks from the resulting possession. As such, the full back must have enough tactical awareness to recognise when to counter-kick, and when to run with the ball, often from deep within his or her half. Having started life as a winger, ex-England, Sale and British Lions player Jason Robinson was an excellent example of a running full back who also had the ability to kick his way out of trouble – the perfect combination for a number 15. This high-pressure position is not for the faint-hearted, but those who can combine tackling, kicking, catching and running with a cool head can excel here. Player line-up Players will typically line up as follows at a scrum: Position Hierarchy Here is a hierarchy of player position naming including collective terms, the corresponding common player numbering shown in parenthesis: Forwards Notes: In some countries the term halfback refers solely to the scrum half, while in other countries it applies to both the scrum half and the fly half. New Zealand saw advantage in having a fourth player in the three-quarters placing a forward between the half back and the three-quarters.

Legend has it that the position was named by deciding that the half back was 4/8ths and the three-quarters 6/8ths, so therefore the new position must be a 5/8ths. When fly half play developed they introduced the first 5/8th and the second 5/8th. Hence the fly half is sometimes referred to as the 1st 5/8, implying a slightly deeper position than halfback and the inside centre is sometimes referred to as the 2nd 5/8 implying a more forward position than a 3/4 back. Centres used to be called Centre Three-quarters and Wings, Wing Three-quarters. The term three quarters collectively describes the centers, wings and full-back. In some countries the Flankers are referred to as 'Break-aways' e.g. New Zealand. In some countries the No. 8 is referred to as the 'Last man down' e.g. New Zealand.

Additional collective terms: History of Positions Origin of the Half-Back (collective name for Fly-half and Scrum-half) Originally the rules described three full backs which was later changed to one and the other two players were then stationed at a midpoint between the forwards and the full backs and were to be called half-way backs. In time this was shortened to half backs. Their role and that of the full back continued to be to fall on the ball in the event of the opposition hacking it out of the scrum. Origin of Fly-Half In 1878 at Cardiff, in Wales, they developed a short pass to one of the half backs who would then go charging ahead with the ball. He became known as the flying half back which in time was shortened to the fly half. In New Zealand the fly half is sometimes referred to as the 1st 5/8, implying a slightly deeper position than halfback. Origin of the three-quarters In the 1880’s the game had spread to the Universities, particularly Cambridge and Oxford, whose input lead to far more thought being put into the game and the style of play that was developed.

They were instrumental in the development of the games tactics, the introduction of need to practice and the coaching of the players. In addition they re organised the scrum, developed short passes amongst the forwards and long passes amongst the backs. This led to the need for more players to be placed in the back line between the halves and the full back. The fraction between a half and a whole (full) is three-quarters. Note: One alternative theory for why they are called three-quarters is that these new positions were called 'quarters' and the fact that three of them were put in this position led to them being known as three-quarters. But this seems unlikely since there is an obvious progression from Half-back (half-way from the from of the scrum to the full back), Five-eighths, three-quarters, full back.. Scotland claim the honour of having first introduced a third three-quarter, against Ireland in 1881. Origin of the centre and wings The middle player being called the centre with the two on his outside called wings. Fouth three-quarter The introduction of a fourth player into the three-quarters was to a large extent, accidental, with Wales again being allowed to take the honour.

In 1885 Cardiff were due to play a tough match away from home and their first choice centre was not available so they promoted one Frank E. Hancock from the second side in his place. Hancock was a great success scoring two vital tries. When the Cardiff selectors sat down to pick their team for the next match they were keen to revert to their original team, but they were most reluctant to drop Hancock, so they compromised by introducing a fourth three-quarter. Within two years Wales had introduced it at international level. The New Zealanders were quick to see the advantage of having a fourth player in the three-quarters. Their solution was to pull a forward out the pack and put him between the half back and the three-quarters. Their problem was what did they call the new position. Legend has it that consent was reached by deciding that the half back was 4/8ths and the three-quarters 6/8ths, so therefore the new position must be a 5/8ths, a name that has continued to this day in that country. When fly half play developed they introduced the first 5/8th and the second 5/8th. Origin of the Number 8 This is a two-part question.

In summary, the No 8 position evolved in South Africa, but was christened in New Zealand. a) How did the No.8 evolve? The position now known as No.8 evolved in South Africa in the 1920s. Before the Great War a number of scrum patterns were tried. Most involved a three-man front-row in a 3-3-2 or more commonly 3-2-3 pack. Paddy Carolin of the 1906 Springboks claimed to have experimented with a 3-4-1 formation. New Zealand most notably always used a 2-3-2 system. Their so-called diamond scrum had a rover to act as a detached winging forward who could also double as a second scrum-half. The Law dictating that a scrum must have a three-man front-row did not come into effect until the 1951-2 season (Law 15c.). New Zealand apart, forwards in Test matches were selected primarily for their all-round skills - there were no fixed position in the early days.

The first forwards up for a scrum were the first to pack down, although by the early 1900s there was usually one player specifically chosen to hook and one to act as a wing forward. There is evidence that early Australian and French packs experimented with fixed places for their players under the 3-2-3 formation, but it wasn't until 1923 that Wavell Wakefield, as pack leader, allocated fixed positions to England's forwards. Two were devolved to prop up their hooker, while two formed the second-row. Behind them was a back-row of two wing-forwards either side of a middle man who was then called the lock or lock-forward - the position from which the No 8 has evolved. England won the Grand Slam that year and specialism became the norm in the Home Unions. Meanwhile in South Africa, Oubaas Markötter of the famous Stellenbosch club developed the 3-4-1 pack formation to curb a fly-half named Bennie Osler, who was the master kicker and tactician for their great rivals at the University of Cape Town.

Markötter's new scrum was essentially the 3-2-3 scheme but with the wing-forwards from the back-row flanking the second-row instead - and therefore closer to the fly-half. That helped to address the Osler problem, but other advantages of the formation became apparent. With only one man at the back, the ball was heeled from the scrum more quickly, while the opposing scrum-half and loose forwards found it harder to disrupt possession. In addition, the inward push from the flankers at the scrum channelled considerable drive through their props and put extra pressure on the opposition hooker. All South Africa embraced the 3-4-1 scrum and by 1928 it was the preferred formation for the Springboks in their home series with the All Blacks. In the first Test their scrum was a revelation to the New Zealanders, who were demolished 17-0. It wasn't until a few years later, however, that modern back-row play evolved. Markötter considered how to make the best use of a gifted Stellenbosch threequarter named André McDonald, who was not fast enough for a back and not big enough for a forward.

McDonald was moved to the solo position at the back of the scrum where he inter-played with his scrum-half in attack and was deployed as a shadow flanker in defence. So the prototype for the No.8 evolved in South Africa as a much looser player than his forerunner, the lock. South Africa still sought strong forwards who could push from the back of the scrum, but attacking and defensive duties for which the prime attribute was mobility became part of the job description. The Springboks toured Britain/Ireland in 1931-32, demonstrating the new scrum formation and back-row tactics to the Home Unions, and in 1933 Australia saw them for the first time when they were beaten in a series in South Africa. By the time war broke out in 1939, most of the world's rugby-playing nations had bowed to Springbok supremacy, adopting the 3-4-1 pack and refining back-row tactics. The main dissenters were the Scots, who persisted with the old 3-2-3 system until the mid 1950s. b) When was the term No.8 first used?

It was not until the 1940s that the expression No.8 became recognised worldwide as part of rugby's lexicon. Finding a common name for the sole player at the back of the 3-4-1 scrum seems to have taken some time. In the Home Unions he was still referred to as the lock or lock-forward, as he had been in the 3-2-3 system. Australian reports of the 1937 Tests against the Springboks refer to the position as anchor-man or solo-lock. South Africans called him the eighthman (as many of the old-timers out there still do), in New Zealand he was usually the back-row or back-row forward and to the French he was le troisième ligne centre. Numbering of players in Tests was a haphazard affair until the 1960s. In the Five Nations, some teams numbered from 1 to 15 from the back, starting with the fullback and finishing with a flanker (so that the back-row man was number 14). France and Ireland often numbered in reverse starting from the front-row, making the middle-man of the loose trio number 7.

Wales even used letters throughout the 30s and 40s making him letter N! Players on tour were numbered 1 to 30 and kept their allocated numbers for Tests. Old Test programmes show that the earliest efforts to number the back-row man with jersey eight were in New Zealand's South Island during the 1930s. For NZ v Australia at Dunedin in 1936 and NZ v SA at Christchurch in 1937 the All Blacks' back-row man wore this number. Abbreviating the South African term eighthman to No.8 originated there and the noted New Zealand rugby historian, Arthur Swan, was among the first to refer to him in print as the "number-eight". When post-war Tests resumed in 1946, New Zealand led the way in regularly numbering their back-row man in the eight jersey. Curiously, South Africa's Hennie Muller, who played Test rugby between 1949 and 1953 and was universally hailed as the definitive eighthman of his day, never wore an eight shirt in a Test, although by 1951 the British press were referring to him as the team's No 8.

It was not until the 1960s that the shirt number universally matched its position's name in Test matches. Rugby Positions - forward packs : running backs : where you fit in Rugby positions Rugby positions in Union and how you play them. Know them all from wing to prop. How you choose so you enjoy yourself, feel good and play well. Layout of positions This is what it's all about, where you fit in. This diagram shows all of the 15 player positions in a rugby team based on the situation where a rugby union scrum has been formed. The 8 forwards are bound together in the scrum. The 7 backs are spread across the field. Rugby positions based on the scrum [Bodies] About choosing a position In life people come in all shapes and sizes. Rugby, more than most other sports, reflects that fact. People from across a huge range of body shapes and sizes will find a suitable position in a rugby team. Skills, qualities and temperaments also vary with position. A team has 15 players on the field at any one time. Each player has an allocated place on the field.

Knowing the position you have been allocated helps you understand and remember what you need to do during the game and where you need to be on the pitch. Age, physical characteristics and grade may affect your choice of position. Age affects choice The younger you are ,the easier it is. When you are starting off you may be given little choice about where you play. You may already admire a player and want to be like that player and want to play that position. If that`s so, it`s maybe a good starting point. Tell the person in charge about it...but it might not happen Make sure you are flexible, you may be better in another position. Wherever you play you will gather skills and experience. With years ahead, you have time to play every position if you want to! Early in a rugby career many of the positions have very similar requirements. Physically, who knows - you change, so look after yourself! eat good quality food in years to come you may be anything Older players starting off may have more choice. Find out what`s needed for each position. Compare what a position requires with your own physique, skills and temperament My guess is that vacant positions in the team may affect the view of the coach about which is the best position for you!

With some research and a bit of thinking you will be able to voice your preferences. Make sure you too, are flexible. Concentrate on the game, get into it, help the team. You can always change positions when you know more and you`ll really enjoy yourself. Physical characteristics affect choice Bear in mind these basics Bigger, heavier, stronger players go somewhere in the forwards Smaller, faster, elusive players go in the backs You want to enjoy yourself - true? If you are comparatively small and in the forwards you may be very uncomfortable! You will always be facing bigger players. In the backs and slower and less agile - not much fun trying to keep up! Sometimes, depending on age and grade of the game these overall physical requirements can be rendered unimportant by a player with heaps of enthusiasm and attitude. Grade affects choice This is more for older players rather than children considering playing rugby Many people learn to play rugby at school. Others are not so fortunate! If you are new to rugby and interested in playing I`m guessing it`s for the social side, where performance is not hugely important. Or maybe you`re college age and want to get serious about it! Either way, look closely at what is required to play each position.

For social players it`s important. Look for a position where you will enjoy yourself and minimise the risk of injury. For competitive environments look for a position where you maximise the advantages of your physical and mental attributes. You will acquire skills quickly because you have the right attitude. This site will help you. With physical and mental attributes suitable for rugby search for good ways to acquire the skills. Hint - stay on this site! Try the page about being the best player you can be for tips on how to get the most out of this site, Look for the good skills to learn and good ways to do it. You can pack a lot into a short time. Improve your play - know all positions It's useful when you know about all player positions. You will know what to expect from players in other positions and get insight into what they may expect from you. When you get a feel for the other positions you know more about rugby play in general and get an idea of what others are going through. It's also inevitable that during the chaos of a game you will find yourself 'out of position'. This often happens when you are tackled and remain at the bottom of a pile of players while the game moves on.

When you do eventually get to your feet you may find that the ball and many players are at the far side of the field. You may be the hooker but find yourself in the position on the field normally occupied by the winger. The game ebbs and flows and you have to do your best in that position until the opportunity comes to get back to your normal position. It's a good idea to know the role of all player positions so you cope well during the chaos of play. This page contains links to detailed pages for all positions. It would be well worth having a look at them. You'll get a real feel for how to play any position. This also helps if you are having a problem choosing a position. Make sure you know what is required for all of them! Remember nothing is set in stone. You can always move to a different position if you find another one is more suitable. Most players play in a number of positions over the course of their time playing rugby. The individual positions in a team are in two major groups the "forwards" and the "backs". There are 8 forwards in a team. They tend to be the bigger, stronger, heavier players in the team.

These are the players who use size and strength to get the ball and move it towards the opposition goal-line. They`re also the positions known collectively as "the pack". In the forwards be prepared to make short bruising runs with the ball against their biggest, strongest players. In many cases making a gain of a few metres is what you are striving for. You will also be defending against their biggest players, trying to avoid giving up any ground to wave after wave of attackers. Forwards also take part in "set piece" contests for the ball. One is known as a "scrum", where forwards from both teams bind together using their bulk, strength and ability to work together to get the ball. Each set of forwards aims to bind tightly together to form one solid mass. You do this to prevent the other pack from 'splintering' or breaking up and weakening the efforts of your pack. When you are in the scrum you also aim to keep low and have a straight back, parallel to the ground. Doing this helps you push more efficiently and resist the push of the opposition pack more effectively. Another set piece is the "line-out" where the forwards contest for possession of the ball after the ball has gone out of play over the side line.

The lineout needs tall players to leap for the ball and strong players to assist the leapers. During the course of a game it is usually clear which team has possession of the ball. You can see it being passed from hand to hand as players run with it. At other times it becomes unclear which team has possession. Informal struggles for the ball take place. It's usually and mainly the forwards who struggle to gain possession but any player can be involved in it. Ball on ground, with feet it's rucking . Ball off ground, with hands it's mauling . Find out more about rucking and mauling in the section on how to play rugby. The "forwards" also work together in defence, co-operating to stop the opposition from moving the ball towards your goal-line. There are groups within the pack named in relation to the places they take up in a scrum. Front row Front row of the scrum The front row forwards group consists of a chunky hooker (number 2) and two even chunkier props (numbers 1 and 3) . Always Loose head prop on the Left. Always Tight head prop on the Right..

The hooker is bound to both props, with one arm around each of them. Each prop binds to the hooker with one arm and to the opposition prop with the other arm. Back row of the scrum Players in the back row have had a few names over the years. The players on either side of the back row used to be called "wing forwards". Because they are bound only loosely to the tight 5 they have been known as "loose forwards" They break away quickly from scrums and lineouts so have been know as "break-aways". They are now known as flankers. Each flanker is bound to a lock by one arm. The other arm is free. In the middle of the back row, at the very back of the scrum is the big number eight. The number 8 binds to the two locks, with one arm around each. The only backs left to name are the "three-quarters" and fullback. For these positions you need speed, agility and tactical sense. You will also be expected to use your skills to take advantage of lapses in defence by catching the ball at speed and carrying it forward. In defence you will be stopping your opposite number from gaining ground and attempting to regain possession of the ball.

You will be expected to run straight and be able to catch and pass well under pressure. The three-quarters grouping contains and the two even faster wing three-quarters (numbers 11 and 14). Which leaves only the last line of defence. The speedy, hard tackling full-back (number 15). This is a trick position - the op...position! This is about the other lot. You beat them and win the game. This section is to tell you the best way to defeat the opposition is to find out all about how you do it with EvtecHs Evasion TecHniques This tends to be a neglected area of the roles of positions in rugby. Many players attempt to run through or over the opposition but players in every position can benefit by learning to use clever footwork to avoid tacklers. You will progress rapidly in any position if you treat evasion as a basic skill. Just knowing this is extremely valuable information. It's a skill which most players never learn in their entire playing career. All player positions involve both attack and defence. Treat evasion as a vital part of your role in any position. You will be able to create chaos in attack and get out of tricky defensive situations.

You`ll be pleased you did, it`s all about how you avoid tackles when the opposition are trying to put you on the floor!. So, that`s it for positions. Work out where you would play well and ... learn to sidestep so you ...... play good rugby then find and ......... help others ............ be a team, above all remember, ............... have fun!!. Next step ... Previous step ... Return to Select a topic Bodies Size is important. For some positions bulk and weight are an advantage. For others, height. You can be too tall for some. Relative size can be important too. Being a huge prop may be an advantage or not. Too big in relation to the hooker and the other prop may result in an unbalanced scrum. If you have the right knowledge, skills, qualities and attitude you may still excel even if you are not the ideal size. In the lower levels of rugby there is a huge variation in the sizes of players playing in any given position. The higher you go, the more important size becomes, but even at the elite level variations still exist. For example locks need height but not all locks are the same height. Somewhere, some player is the shortest lock!

Wings are getting bigger but somewhere there will be the smallest winger. They may be disadvantaged by size but beating opponents with superior evasion or blistering pace. If you would like to know more about the range of sizes of players playing in rugby teams, go to the main menu and visit the player sizes page. It`s about the size of elite players so you can learn a lot when you look at the the relative sizes of players in the different positions. Karmichael Hunt | Rugby.com.au Karmichael Hunt 93kg Biography Karmichael Hunt is no stranger to the big stage, vying for the biggest stage in his latest code switch. Hunt has played State of Origin for Queensland and rugby league Tests for Australia, before joining the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL. After the better part of two seasons in Australia, Hunt has progresses to the Wallabies squad. With experience in a number of backline roles, Hunt could be in the mix for a variety of spots. International 2016 season Defence Biography Karmichael Hunt joined the Reds ahead of the 2015 season on a three-year deal. His love of rugby began as a high school student at Brisbane’s Anglican Church Grammar School.

The 28-year-old multi-code athlete started his professional career in the National Rugby League, before playing rugby union in the French Top 14 and four seasons with the Gold Coast Suns in the Australia Football League. Hunt is just the second Australian athlete after Israel Folau to compete professionally in all three of the country's winter football codes - having played in the NRL, AFL and now Super Rugby. Super Rugby 2016 season 11 Biography A former schoolboy prodigy at Anglican Church Grammar in Brisbane, Hunt along with Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has played three football codes professionally in Australia. A long and distinguished career with the Brisbane Broncos was followed by four seasons in the AFL with the Gold Coast Suns. In between, however, he returned to his rugby roots, briefly, with a stint with French club Biarittz, including their 2009/2010 Heineken Cup Final loss to Toulouse.

After linking with the Reds for the 2015 season, Hunt played several positions throughout the backline, before injury cut short his Super Rugby campaign, but he was able gain major game time for City during the NRC, finding a home in the no.15 jersey, a position he’s carried through to the Reds in 2016. NRC 2017 season Rugby Union Playing Guide Rugby Union Playing Guide Introduction Rugby Union pits two teams of 15 players against each other. The team scoring the most points wins the match, and this can be achieved by carrying, passing or kicking the ball. Qualities participants call upon include strength, discipline, technique and passion - traits that have seen rugby gain and maintain global status. On-field Positions The Forwards Their collective role is to gain possession of the ball and get it to their backs, who should try and develop a running play. There are eight forwards in a team, and they are regarded as the heavyweights of the team. The Backs They should be more mobile, typically with the pace to translate the possession provided by the forwards into tries.

Of course, as fitness and skill levels have improved (particularly in the Professional era) the roles performed by the backs and forwards are not only interdependent but also frequently interchangeable. Match Officials A game is controlled by a referee and two touch-judges. The referee is the most senior, and also takes note of the time and score. He is the sole arbitrator, whose decisions are final. Play Begins Play commences with the toss of the coin between the two captains, with the winner being afforded the choice of kicking off, or choosing which end to defend in the first half. The game lasts for eighty minutes, excluding stoppages, each half forty minutes, with an interval for half time. However, if the fixture is a Sevens game then there are some distinct differences. Its a seven a side game, played on a full pitch each half lasts seven minutes, although major finals such as the Middlesex Sevens last ten minutes. In all matches, play commences with a kick-off. This is a place kick from the centre of the halfway line. At the start of the second half the other team will kick off.

If, from the kick-off the ball goes directly into touch, lands directly in the in-goal area,or directly over (or on) the dead ball line then the opposing teamhas the choice of either 1)accepting the kick 2)asking for it to be re-taken, or 3)asking for a scrummage at the centre spot. At the kick-off,the kicker's team must be behind the ball at the time of the kick. If not, the referee can order a scrummage (scrum) at the centre. Scoring System There are four ways of scoring points: Try worth 5 points Penalty worth 3 points Drop goal worth 3 points A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition goal area. The ball can be placed on the try line (in line with the posts) or beyond, but no further than the dead ball line. For the ball to be grounded, the player must be holding it in his hand(s) or arm(s) when he brings it into contact with the ground. The ball can also be deemed to be grounded if a player falls on the ball, but the front of the body, from the waist to the neck must make contact with the ball.

Every try is further rewarded with a kick at goal, and can increase the score by another two points. This is called a conversion. The kick is taken from a point level with where the try occurred. It can be either a place kick or a drop kick, and all the players on the kicker's team must be behind the ball at this time. Meanwhile, the defending team must stand behind their own goal-line. Once the kicker commences his run-up, the defenders can run forward in an attempt to put the kicker off, and perhaps even charge down his kick. A penalty kick is awarded against the offending team following an infringement of the rules. The rules concerning a penalty are very much the same as those for a conversion, with the exception that the kick must be taken at or behind the point where the infringement took place. There is also the option for a scrum, in which case the team awarded the penalty have the put in. Viewers of the last Lions' tour of South Africa will recall the efficacy of the drop goal. A player can, at any time during open play, attempt this. The ball is dropped onto the ground and kicked just as it bounces, and must pass through the posts without bouncing.

Moreover, re-starts occur via a drop-kick, as well as at half time. When and why - halts in play Throw forward The ball must always be passed sideways or backwards. If it is thrown forward, then the player committing the offence will be penalised. If the throw forward is intentional then a penalty is awarded from the point where the infringement took place. If it was unintentional, then a scrummage shall be formed at the place of the infringement. Knock-on - the ball must always be gathered cleanly. If a player loses possession of the ball, and it travels forward towards the opposing goaline, or it strikes a player's hand and travels forward, then it is a knock-on and is penalised in the same way as the throw forward, unless the player can recover the ball before it has touched the ground or another player. The tackle - when tackled, the ball must be released immediately and get up or move away; you cannot touch the ball again or interfere in play until you are back on your feet. Failure to comply with this will incur a penalty for the other side. After the ball is released from a ruck, or maul, often forms around the ball.

This is like an impromptu scrum with at least one player from either side closing around the ball, which is somewhere between them. When the ball becomes unplayable or stationary, a scrummage shall be ordered and the ball inserted by the team who were not initially in possession. The lineout If the ball goes into touch during the normal course of play, play is re-started with a line-out, the equivalent of a throw-in in football. The line-out is a way of gaining possession of the ball and at least two players from each side line up in single lines and at right angles to the touch-line. The number of players in the line-out is determined by the team taking the throw, and the throw is taken by the team which did not put the ball in touch originally. Physical contact is not encouraged, and the players must stand so that a clear space of 1m separates the two lines. The line-out starts from a point 5m from the touch-line where the throw is being taken, and stretches to a point 15m away. Any player beyond 15m is not deemed to be in the line-out.

The ball must be thrown straight between the two lines of players; you cannot try to gain an advantage by throwing towards the side of the line-out containing your own players. Once the ball has been thrown, the two sets of forwards jump and try to get possession of the ball. Mark (fair catch) - a player can make a mark by catching the ball from a kick, knock-on or throw forward by one of his opponents, and shouting "mark". Significantly, the player must be on his side of the 22 m line. After making a mark, the player has the option of a free-kick which can be either a place, drop or tap-kick. A goal cannot be scored direct from a free-kick. Drop-out The drop-out is a drop-kick taken by the defending team. The kick is taken from anywhere on or behind their own 22m line. If taken from behind the 22, the ball must reach that line from the drop-out . If it does not, the opposition can request it to be re-taken or choose a scrum - formed at the centre of the 22.

The scrum - the object at the scrum is to gain possession of the ball and get it out to your own scrum half so that he can engineer an attacking move. Once the scrum is formed, the ball is put in by one of the scrum-halves, and the hooker attempts to hook the ball back to his team-mates, who in turn gradually hook it out to the scrum-half who will have taken up a position at the back of the scrum. The most effective way of gaining advantage is by pushing the opposing forwards backwards (a tug of war in reverse). When formed, the scrummage shall occur at the place where the infringement took place (or as near as possible). The line of scrummage The imaginary line between between the two sets of front-row forwards - should always be parallel to the goal-lines. The scrum is used to re-start play after certain infringements and can only be formed on the field of play - it cannot be formed in the in-goal area or within 5m of the touch-line. If any infringement by the defending team takes place in their own in-goal area, or within 5m of the touch-line.

If any infringement by the defending team takes place in their own in-goal area, and the penalty would be a scrum, then the scrummage must be formed 5m from the goal-line on the field of play. A minimum of eight players are required from each team to form a scrum. Of those, three players MUST form the front row. The player putting the ball into the scrum must make sure the ball bounces on the line of scrummage beyond the feet of the nearest player. The ball MUST be put into the scrum in a straight line. Forwards 14 Right Wing 15 Fullback

Question: What position is no.1 in rugby league and no.15 in rugby union?
Answer: Full Back