Rugby Positions
1: Loosehead Prop: Usually the stockiest member of the team, whose head typically joins his shoulders without recourse to a neck. His job is to support the hooker in the scrums and the jumpers in the lineout. Thrives on physically intimidating his opposite number.
2: Hooker: Similar build to the prop, but usually more mobile with superior handling skills. His role is to throw the ball into the lineout and win the ball when it is fed into the scrum by hooking it back with his foot - hence the name.
3: Tighthead Prop: Usually the stockiest member of the team, whose head typically joins his shoulders without recourse to a neck. His job is to support the hooker in the scrums and the jumpers in the lineout. Thrives on physically intimidating his opposite number.
4: Second Row: Invariably the tallest men in the team. It is their job to win the ball in the lineout and provide the main impetus to the scrum. Due to their height, weight and increased athleticism, locks now perform a vital role in loose play. Australia even have one that kicks goals.
5: Second Row: Invariably the tallest men in the team. It is their job to win the ball in the lineout and provide the main impetus to the scrum. Due to their height, weight and increased athleticism, locks now perform a vital role in loose play. Australia even have one that kicks goals.
6: Blindside Flanker: The flanker who binds onto the scrum on whichever side is closest to a touchline. Primarily concerned with winning the ball in loose play and supporting the jumpers in the lineout. Prides himself on his ability to execute the sort of tackles that make spectators wince.
7: Openside Flanker: The flanker who binds onto the side of a scrum furthest from a touchline. A ball winner whose role is to disrupt the opposition's backs. Usually the quickest of the forwards, he often provides an extra man for his own backs in an attacking move. Thrives on battering fly-halves and centres.
8: Number 8: Packs down at the back of the scrum, between the two locks. Responsible for the crucial role of providing the scrum-half with good ball from the base of the scrum or launching attacks from the same position. Often more physically imposing than his back row colleagues, he is a ball winner at the tail of the lineout and a ball carrier in loose play.
9: Scrum Half: The player responsible for feeding the ball won by the forwards to the backs, or recycling the ball in loose play. Usually one of the smallest players in the side with the best handling skills. Generally more robust and aggressive than a fly half because he is more prone to tangling with the opposition's forwards.
10: Fly Half: Key decision-maker who decides whether to distribute the ball to the backs or kick for position. Useful with the boot, he usually takes his side's kicks at goal, including drop goals. He is invariably an elusive runner, who likes to taunt charging forwards with unhurried sidesteps.
11: Left Wing: Like the right wing, one of the swiftest players in the team whose primary function is to get the ball and head flat-out for the try-line. Traditionally speed rather than bulk is their main weapon, although the size of wingers has steadily increased with time.
12: Inside Centre: Approaches vary, but the number 12 is generally the larger of the two centres. His role is to knock holes in the opposition defence and provide the defensive bulwark against attacks launched at his own backline. Despite being a crash ball specialist, he sees himself more as a cruise missile than a battering ram.
13: Outside Centre: A similar combination of power and pace as the inside centre, but more likely to exploit the gaps made by his colleague than create them himself. He provides the link between midfield and wingers/fullback, although he is just as likely to go for glory on his own.
14: Right Wing: Like the left wing, one of the swiftest players in the team whose primary function is to get the ball and head flat-out for the try-line. Traditionally speed rather than bulk is their main weapon, although the size of wingers has steadily increased with time.
15: Full Back: The player responsible for the last line of defence against both running attacks and tactical kicks. Must be rock solid under the high ball and unconcerned about the prospect of being gang tackled the moment he takes the catch. Can pop up unexpectedly to create an overlap in an attacking back line. An excellent kicker out of hand and also frequently performs goal-kicking duties.
