Positions on the Pitch 

The beauty of rugby union is that is a game for people of all shapes and all sizes. Traditionally, forwards were larger and less mobile, while backs were smaller and faster. However, rugby has changed and players of all shapes and sizes are now playing in different positions to what their body types dictated. Whether you are short and stocky or tall and thin, there's a place for you in a rugby side. 

FULL BACK - #15 

The modern-day full back should be the complete rugby player. 

The number 15 is often the last line of defense or the first player making the break in attack. Full backs need a safe pair of hands because they are the player responsible for catching the opposition's high and testing kicks in attack. Expect to perform under pressure when the going gets seriously tough. If you can suddenly turn defense into attack, make those important last-ditch tackles and make the extra man in attack, look no further than the full back. 

WINGER - #11 and #14 

Often the fastest runners on the team are to be found on the wing. 

Their main responsibility is to finish off the attacking moves created by their fellow backs and score tries. Side steps, swerves and dummy passes - as well as a change of pace - are the main skills wingers use to evade the tacklers. However, they also need to have the all-round skills of a full-back as often they can find themselves the last line of defense as well as the first point of attack. 

INSIDE CENTRE - #12

The inside centre is a player who is always involved, whether in defense or attack. 

They offer options for the fly-half in attack, making the breaks and drawing the opposition's defense to make the space for their partner, the outside centre. The inside centres are also the players tackling in defense along with the forwards. Accurate handling and passing skills are a must for any centre, along with a good kicking game. Expect to get through plenty of running. 

OUTSIDE CENTRE - #13 

The outside centre is the player who exploits the gaps in the opposition's defense. 

They often hit the holes in the opposition's defence, making valuable ground and offloading to the wingers after drawing the last line of defence. They also need a sturdy defensive game, like their partner the inside centre. Accurate handling and passing skills are a must for any centre, along with a good kicking game 

FLY HALF - #10 

The fly-half is probably the most influential player on the pitch. 

They are the players who make the big decisions under pressure - to run with the ball or kick for territory. So it goes without saying fly-halves need excellent handling skills and a confident kicking game. But as well as attacking instincts, the fly-half also needs to have a solid defensive game. As well as being one of the best kickers in world rugby, England’s Johnny Wilkinson is one of the hardest tacklers around. 

LOOSEHEAD PROP - #1 

A loosehead prop is one of the three players at the front of the scrum. 

They stand on the left-hand side of the hooker. As they take most of the impact in the scrum, a prop should have plenty of strength in their upper body. This is the area of the body where all the power is created for the big push. 

TIGHTHEAD PROP - #3 

A tighthead prop is one of the three players at the front of the scrum. 

They stand on the right-hand side of the hooker. Like the Loosehead, they take most of the impact in the scrum and should have plenty of strength in their upper body. Props also tend to get stuck into tackles and often they can be found at the bottom of a ruck or the middle of a maul. 

HOOKER - #2 

Out of all the eight forwards, the hooker is the one player with the most responsibility. 

They have two very important roles to play. Their first duty is to hook the ball for the scrum-half to collect in the scrum. Their second is to throw the ball in at the line-outs for the jumpers to catch. This is often done under pressure so hookers need plenty of nerve and confidence. Like props, hookers need to have a strong back and neck, as well as powerful arms and legs. But they need to be that bit more flexible than their fellow front row mates because they are the ones who hook the ball in the scrum. Hookers are often the smallest member of the forwards, but that doesn't mean they are the least important. 

SECOND ROW - #4 and #5 

Most second rowers or locks are tall and powerful. 

As well as providing power for the big push in the scrum, the second rows are the targets in the line-out. Their job is to catch the hooker's throw and get the ball to the scrum-half. Modern-day second rows need to be mobile around the park to carry the ball and to make tackles. 

OPENSIDE FLANKER - #6 

The modern-day flanker is an all-round athlete, combining speed, power and skill into one position. 

The openside flanker is usually a slightly different build from their partner, the blindside flanker. They are smaller in size, making them more mobile around the pitch. One of their main roles is to win ball from the opposition, which means battling for possession at rucks and breakdowns. The openside flanker will often be the player with the responsibility to mark the other side's fly-half. They do this by quickly closing them down, reducing the time they have to kick or pass. Because of their high tackle count, flankers are always involved in rucks or mauls either at the bottom or making the big drives. 

BLINDSIDE FLANKER - #7 

The blindside flanker tends to be bigger than their team-mate, the openside flanker. 

They have a more physical role and are often a target for the hooker in the line-out. They get through a large amount of tackles and are often regarded as the "invisible" player because of the work they get through. 

NUMBER - #8 

The number 8 is the player who controls the ball at the back of the scrum. 

They have a similar role to the flanker in terms of getting through the hard work of tackling, rucking and mauling. Number eights need to have explosive pace and power, especially when the scrums are near the opposition's tryline. They are also a potential target for the hooker in the line-out. Forming a scrum 

The eight forwards are the players who form the scrum.

The hooker, two props, two second rows, two flankers and the number 8 all bind together in a 3-4-1 formation, ready to lock heads with the opposition. 

The hooker -The all important player in the scrum - their job is to get the ball out for the scrum-half. 

Two props- They make the hooker's life easier. They bind on tightly on both sides of the hooker, leaving no gaps between them. 

Two second row forwards -They bind tightly together and pack down behind the front row, putting their heads in the gaps between the hooker and the props. 

Two flankers -Bind on to both the props and second rows on either side of the scrum. 

Number 8 -They pack down behind the second row forwards, putting their head between the two second rows.