It has occurred to me that I use a lot of language when trying to teach rugby that may be a tad opaque. The Lugi Lions is a very colourful club, with players from many different countries and rugby backgrounds. And so perhaps not everyone will understand me if I say something like: “Get your paws off the pill, piggy, and clear out that ruck!”.

So I think it’s in everyone’s interest if I take the time to explain what I mean when I talk rugby.

I’m going to start pretty simple today and talk about the forward positions. While this is at first glance seems quite simple, many positions have more than one name, and depending on where you play in the world, slightly different roles. This is a pretty important part of the game – a part I’m sure many of you experienced players will know well – but it is something you absolutely need to understand before I can go on to some of the other terminology.

Because I am Australian and have played the majority of my rugby in the southern hemisphere, my explanations are going to be leaning southward. Obviously, this is a bit of an open forum, so feel free to add your comments below.

There are fifteen players on the field, eight forwards and seven backs. Typically you are allowed seven additional players on the bench. In Sweden, the rules are a bit different: three (with only one front rower); five (with two front rowers); and, eight (with three). This brings the maximum number of players we can field in a match to twenty three.

Forwards typically play in tight, close to the ball. They participate in scrums and lineouts. They secure the ball in rucks and mauls. Backs set the first phase of attack and organise defencively out wide. They are the ball carriers, the passers, the kickers and frequently also the try scorers.

Forwards

The front row is comprised of three large, strong players. Traditionally, they have not had to have been particularly fit or adept with the ball. This is not the case so much any longer. They are the ones who engage the opposition at scrums and lift players in the lineout.

1. Loosehead prop. The loosehead prop gets its name from the fact that it is bound in the scrum by only one opposition player: it’s left side is free from the scrum. This means that the number one is typically more mobile than the number three and often a bit more devious. It is not altogether uncommon to see the loosehead providing first phase support from the scrum with the back row.
2. Hooker. The hooker hooks the ball with their right foot on an attacking scrum’s feed. They also often try to steal or spoil the feed in defence. They typically throw in the ball at lineouts although this is not required at our level of the game. Hookers are often quite skilled players and strong leaders.
3. Tighthead prop. The tighthead is bound in the scrum by both the opposition’s hooker and loosehead. They are the most important pillar of physical and psychological strength in the scrum and need to have an in depth knowledge of scrummaging technique. When the opposition wheels, they need to know what to do to maximise the chances of winning a penalty. They are sometimes the best option for running with the ball from the breakdown (a-pick-and-go) when close to the try line.

The second row (numbers 4 and 5, also known as the locks) is comprised of two tall, strong players. They are not required to differentiate their game significantly from one another, although they typically have a preference for which prop they bind in the scrums. Because of their height, second rowers are lifted in the lineouts. As ball runners, second rowers can be very effective at pulling in players but are often considered an easy catch for the opposition’s back row. (For some reason I can not explain, all of the hardest and dirtiest players in rugby seem to play in the second row.)

The back row are the scavengers. They play a very loose and often unpredictable style of rugby, capitalising quickly on the mistakes of the opposition. Back rowers do not have to be of any particular shape or size (although it helps to be quick, strong and well-balanced), but they must have an unparalleled tenacity and aggression for the ball. More than any other position, the players in the back row exploit the laws of rugby for their own benefit.

6. Blindside flanker. Unless a scrum is awarded in the centre of the field, the distance from the scrum to the sideline will be shorter on one side than the other. This is called the short side, or more commonly, the blind side. The number six binds to the second row on the blind side of the scrum. They are often big players and strong in defence, capable of jumping in the lineouts or drawing in defenders in attack.
7. Openside flanker. For a fan of the breakdown, this position is arguably the most interesting on the field. The openside flanker binds to the opposite side of the scrum than the blindside flanker (the long or open side). They are the first person to support and the first person to defend.
8. Number Eight (also eight-man). This player stands at the back of the scrum and controls the ball for the scrum half. They are often big like a blindside flanker but quick like an openside. They have a lot of freedom to do whatever they want in attack and defence but shoulder considerable responsibility and are expected to have an impact on the game.

Part two of this post, the backs, will be coming shortly.

I want to leave you today with a well-worn saying in rugby that I believe has some measure of truth to it. The forwards decide which team wins a game. The backs decide by how much.