Openside Flanker - Position Guide
Each rugby union side contains both an openside flanker and a blindside flanker. Within the game, these players have very important roles. This is because they’re responsible for securing and maintaining possession for their side.
There are very few differences between the roles of the openside flanker and the blindside flanker (although we’ll cover these differences in some detail later).
Generally speaking, both flankers are among the fastest forwards in the team, and both are tasked with protecting the ball, maintaining possession and providing support play. What’s more, both flankers also play an important role at the lineout and in the scrum.
In this position guide, we’ll take a detailed look at exactly what an openside flanker does in a game of rugby union. We’ll outline the key responsibilities of the position, identify some of the finest openside flankers to ever play the game and look at the differences between the openside flanker and the blindside flanker, so you can decide which of the two positions is right for you.
What is an openside flanker?
An openside flanker is a member of the forwards. Each team has one openside flanker, and they line up at the back of the scrum with the number eight and the blindside flanker.
Most openside flankers are incredibly physical players who relish competition, challenges and contact. In ensuring the opposition forwards do not make it over the gain line, they’re asked to perform a high number of tackles in every game. That said, the openside flanker position isn’t a purely defensive one.
When the openside flanker’s team is in possession of the ball, they are asked to ensure possession is maintained when their teammate is tackled. In this respect, the role of the openside flanker is slightly different to the role of the blindside flanker.
Generally speaking, the blindside flanker is the larger of the two flankers. As a result, they take responsibility for making big tackles and charging into the opposition’s defensive line.
Although the openside flanker is also responsible for this, more emphasis is placed on them moving to the breakdown quickly to disrupt the opposition’s ball. Due to this, they’re usually slightly smaller and more agile.
Other names for an openside flanker
Around the world, some fans know rugby positions by different names. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with the openside flanker, which is known by the same position name around the world.
However, that said, there are some old-fashioned terms for the position that you may hear from ex-pros or if you’re watching highlights of old matches. This is because, before rugby union became professional in the 1990s, flankers were often known as breakaways. For this reason, you may hear the openside flanker called the openside breakaway.
What number is an openside flanker?
A starting XV in a rugby union side line up from 1-15. Unlike other sports where players can choose their own number, in a game of rugby union a player will wear the number that corresponds to their position. For the openside flanker, this is the number 7 shirt.
What is the average size of an openside flanker?
Openside flankers are quick and athletic players who also relish contact. As a result, they’re all-rounders who need to excel at almost every facet of the game.
Due to the role that the openside flanker plays at set pieces (which we’ll discuss in greater detail later), anyone playing in this position usually needs to be tall. In fact, at the elite level, the average openside flanker is 1.89m (6ft 3in) tall.
But, at the international level, being tall isn’t enough to help someone excel at the openside flanker position. In fact, even at local rugby clubs, openside flankers need to be strong and powerful. However, because they do lots of work around the field, they cannot afford to sacrifice mobility and agility. That said, openside flankers do still tend to be incredibly muscular and elite openside flankers usually weigh around 100-kg-105kg, or 221lbs to 242lbs.
What is the openside flanker’s role?
The openside flanker is an all-rounder who makes a huge impact on the game. However, their greatest influence on the game usually comes at set pieces. With this in mind, let’s take a look at exactly what an openside flanker is responsible for in the scrum and at a lineout. We’ll then take a closer look at exactly what they do in open play.
What is the openside flanker’s role in scrums?
The name ‘flanker’ comes from the position of the player in the scrum. A member of the back row, the openside flanker is used to ‘flank’ the forwards.
At scrum time, the openside flanker packs down on the open side of the scrum. By this, we mean the side of the scrum where there is more space between the scrum and the sideline. This means that the openside flanker does not have a fixed position at the scrum. They may line up on the left or the right of the scrum, depending on where the space is.
In the scrum, the openside flanker is expected to provide pushing power. However, this is not their main role. Instead, they’re expected to detach from the back of the scrum as soon as the ball is out so they can get to the play before other opposition forwards do.
As the openside flanker has much more ground to cover than the blindside flanker, they need to be quicker than their counterpart. They also need to be more mobile and have a great level of endurance.
What is the openside flanker’s role in lineouts?
At the lineout, the openside flanker plays an important role as a reliable jumping option. They usually stand towards the back of the lineout, where they’re asked to either jump and compete for the ball, or act as another lifter.
However, in defensive lineouts, the openside flanker is not asked to lift other players. Instead, they’re usually used to attack the opposition’s fly half when the opposition emerges with the ball. Openside flankers are key tacklers in a game of rugby, and this is one way they can stop the opposition from gaining important meters.
What is the openside flanker’s role in open play?
In open play, the openside flanker is expected to win the ball and put in tough tackles. Openside flankers are always involved in the game and have a lot of ground to cover, so they need to be as mobile as they are strong.
Added to this, because the openside flanker is always close to the ball, they are often first to the breakdown. Here, they are tasked with getting their hands on any loose balls. They may also cause a breakdown by tackling the ball carrier or otherwise hurrying them and forcing an error. One of the main jobs of an openside flanker is to get over the ball and attempt to steal it or win a penalty.
When their side has possession, the main responsibility of an openside flanker is to be the first player to the attacking breakdown. Here, they clean out defensive players and ensure their side retains possession. They are usually the first player on the shoulder of an attacker when a linebreak is made, and are frequently thought of as the link player between one phase and the next.
Notable openside flankers
In our recent Hall of Fame vote, we asked our readers who they thought was the best openside flanker to ever play the game. The result was near unanimous, and All Blacks legend Richie McCaw won by a landslide. Other openside flankers to receive votes included Schalk Burger, David Pocock and Sam Warburton.
In the current game, Michael Hooper is widely regarded as the best openside flanker of his generation. However, he faces stiff competition from England’s Tom Curry.
FAQs
Those are the basics of the openside flanker position. However, to help you learn even more about what it takes to be an outstanding openside flanker, we’ve answered a number of popular reader questions below. So read on to learn more about why openside and blindside flankers are different sizes, and the work an openside flanker usually does in the gym.
Why are openside flankers smaller than blindside flankers?
In most rugby union sides, the openside flanker is smaller than their blindside counterpart. Although it’s not essential this is the case, being slightly smaller does provide benefits for an openside flanker. This is because openside flankers need to be more mobile than blindside flankers.
After all, openside flankers need to spring up from tackles, cover more ground than the blindside flanker and move to get into defensive positions more quickly.
By comparison, the openside flanker is usually heavier because they don’t have to do quite as much running. Instead, they’re required to make big and dominant tackles that move the opposition backwards. In attacking situations, they’re also used as a battering ram that draws the attention of opposition defenders.
What gym exercises are best for openside flankers?
Openside flankers relish physicality. Due to this, it’s important that anyone playing in this position is incredibly strong and is able to win physical duels.
To excel at the openside flanker position, players need strength throughout their body. However, their leg muscles, triceps, shoulders and chest must be particularly strong. Due to this, if you’re currently playing as an openside flanker and want to improve the physical side of your game, then you should focus on performing:
- Deadlifts
- Squats
- Bench press
- Overhead press
- Lunges
- Barbell rows
That said, being an openside flanker isn’t all about strength and power. Due to this, you should also perform drills that help improve on your agility and your explosiveness. After all, if you bulk up too much, you’ll struggle to get around the field adequately. So, always keep in mind that most openside flankers at the elite level can run 3km in 11 mins 45 seconds and can sprint 40m in under 5 seconds.
Comments on RugbyPass
You know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to comments