Forwards
The main responsibilities of the forward players are to gain and retain possession of the ball. Players in these positions are generally bigger and stronger and take part in the scrum and lineout. The forwards are often collectively referred to as the 'pack', especially when in the scrum formation.
Front row
The front row consists of three players, two props; the loosehead prop and the tighthead prop, and the hooker. The role of the two props are to support the hooker during scrums, to provide support for the jumpers during lineouts and to provide strength and power in rucks and mauls. The third position in the front row is the hooker. The 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. Hookers normally throw the ball in at lineouts.
The front row consists of three players, two props; the loosehead prop and the tighthead prop, and the hooker. The role of the two props are to support the hooker during scrums, to provide support for the jumpers during lineouts and to provide strength and power in rucks and mauls. The third position in the front row is the hooker. The 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. Hookers normally throw the ball in at lineouts.
Second row
The second row consists of two locks or lock forwards. Locks are usually the tallest players in the team, and specialise as lineout jumpers. The main role of the lock in lineouts is to make a standing jump, often supported by the other forwards, to either collect the thrown ball or ensure the ball comes down on their side. Locks also have an important role in the scrum, binding directly behind the three front row players.
The second row consists of two locks or lock forwards. Locks are usually the tallest players in the team, and specialise as lineout jumpers. The main role of the lock in lineouts is to make a standing jump, often supported by the other forwards, to either collect the thrown ball or ensure the ball comes down on their side. Locks also have an important role in the scrum, binding directly behind the three front row players.
Back row
The back row, not to be confused with ‘Backs’, is the third and final row of the forward positions, they are often referred to as the loose forwards. The three positions in the back row are made up of two flankers and the number 8. The two flanker positions, called the blindside flanker and openside flanker, are the final row in the scrum. The number 8 packs down between the two flankers at the back of the scrum. His role in the scrum is to control the ball after it has been heeled back from the front of the pack, both fly-half and inside centre take their lead from the number 8.
Backs
The role of the backs is to create and convert point-scoring opportunities and are generally smaller but faster and more agile than the forwards. Another distinction between the two positions is that the backs are expected to have superior kicking skills, especially in the positions of fly-half and full-back.
Half-backs
The half-backs consist of two positions, the scrum-half and the fly-half. The fly-half is crucial to a team's game plan. They are usually the first to receive the ball from the scrum-half following a breakdown, lineout or scrum and need to be decisive with what actions to take and be effective at communicating with the outside backs. Many fly-halfs are also the teams goal kickers. The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. They receive the ball from the lineout and remove the ball from the back of the scrum, usually passing it to the fly-half. They also feed the scrum and sometimes have to act as a fourth loose forward.
The half-backs consist of two positions, the scrum-half and the fly-half. The fly-half is crucial to a team's game plan. They are usually the first to receive the ball from the scrum-half following a breakdown, lineout or scrum and need to be decisive with what actions to take and be effective at communicating with the outside backs. Many fly-halfs are also the teams goal kickers. The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs. They receive the ball from the lineout and remove the ball from the back of the scrum, usually passing it to the fly-half. They also feed the scrum and sometimes have to act as a fourth loose forward.
Three quarters
There are four positions in the three quarter positions, the inside centre, outside centre and left and right wings. Like the fly half they generally possess a good kicking game and are good at reading the play and directing the attack. The centres main role is to provide space for the men outside them. They need to run good lines, have good passing skills and should be able to offload in a tackle. The wings are generally positioned on the outside of the backline. Their primary function is to finish off moves and score tries. Wings are usually the fastest players in the team and are either elusive runners, or more recently big, strong and able to break tackles.
There are four positions in the three quarter positions, the inside centre, outside centre and left and right wings. Like the fly half they generally possess a good kicking game and are good at reading the play and directing the attack. The centres main role is to provide space for the men outside them. They need to run good lines, have good passing skills and should be able to offload in a tackle. The wings are generally positioned on the outside of the backline. Their primary function is to finish off moves and score tries. Wings are usually the fastest players in the team and are either elusive runners, or more recently big, strong and able to break tackles.
Fullbacks
The fullback normally positions themselves several metres behind the back line. They field any opposition kicks and are often the last line of defence should an opponent break through the back line. Two of the most important attributes of a good fullback are dependable catching skills and a good kicking game.
The fullback normally positions themselves several metres behind the back line. They field any opposition kicks and are often the last line of defence should an opponent break through the back line. Two of the most important attributes of a good fullback are dependable catching skills and a good kicking game.
