What are the different positions in rugby and what are their roles?
RUGBY is one of the most popular sports in the world, but not everyone is aware of the rules of the game.
Here, we explain the different roles taken up on a rugby pitch, and what they do during the game.
What are the different positions in rugby?
There are 15 players in a rugby union team. They all have varying positions and roles within the team. These are:
- Full-back
- Wing
- Centre.
- Fly-half.
- Scrum-half.
- Number Eight.
- Flanker
- Hooker.
- Prop.
What are their roles?
Ruck has listed the positions that players take in a rugby union game and their responsibilities during the match.
Along with the hooker, the loose-head and tight-head props make up what is known as the front row, which refers to their rugby positions in the scrum.
Away from set pieces, props help to secure the ball when a player has been tackled.
Lining up in the scrum between the two props, the hooker is one of the forwards’ key decision-makers.
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.
The second row of forwards (also known as locks) are the engine room of the scrum and the target men in the lineout.
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Flankers are possibly the players on the side with the least amount of responsibility but need to be good all-rounders. Their role includes collecting short passes off of players who have been tackled and making big tackles themselves.
Support play, tackling and ball-carrying is 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 are allowed to pick the ball up from the base of the scrum.
The Scrum-half is essentially the playmaker of the team, they will control when the ball is fed out to the back row.
The fly-half must be able to marshal the team, organise the defence and attack and take responsibility when kicking for the position. These players are often the specialist set-piece taker in the team.
The two wingers are the fast players in the team. They will take positions out wide in order to finish an attack and score a try, and also play a big role in defence when not in possession.
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 teammates.
They are usually strong, dynamic runners who can exploit gaps in the opposition's defence.
The fullback lines up behind the backline. They are tasked with catching deep balls from the opposition and starting attacks.
Which position is the most important rugby player in a team?
The fly-half is arguably the most important player out of the 15.
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Every attack goes through them and is important in defensive plays as well.
He takes the kicks and must relieve pressure by kicking the ball into touch when necessary.