Rugby positions explained | Rugby15s position guides
Do you know your loosehead prop from your tighthead prop? Are you aware of how quick you really need to be to play as a winger at the international level? Well, all the rugby positions are explained in our rugby positions guides.
With the help of our rugby positions guides, you can learn exactly what the roles and responsibilities of each player are during a game. Plus, you can also learn more about the physical and mental attributes that each player needs in order to excel in that position.
On top of this, the rugby positions guides also outline all the rugby positions and numbers, so you’ll find it easier to spot who is playing where next time you’re watching a game on television.
Our rugby positions guides explain all of the positions in both fifteen-a-side rugby union and rugby 7s. This way, you can also discover how the roles of each player change between the two formats.
Discover more about the positions in rugby by reading our rugby position guides below:
Loosehead Prop
The loosehead prop is a big and strong player who stops the scrum moving backwards and aims to cause maximum disruption. A big tackler who is also responsible for securing possession, the loosehead prop is not to be messed with. Think you fit the role? Check out our full guide below:
Hooker
The hooker stands in the middle of the scrum and hooks the ball backwards. They’re also responsible for throwing the ball at the lineout, getting around the park and making plenty of tackles. Sound like the perfect role for you? Read our position guide below to find out more:
Tighthead prop
The tighthead prop is the anchor of the scrum. As a result, the tighthead prop must be a big, strong and powerful player who can take weight on both shoulders and lift people at lineouts. Learn all about the tighthead prop position with the handy guide below:
Second row
The second row players, otherwise known as locks, wear numbers 4 and 5. Often the tallest players in the team, they’re crucial at lineouts and are the ‘engine room’ of the scrum. They’re also key defensive players who need to possess good handling skills. Learn more below with our full position guide for second rows:
Blindside flanker
The blindside flanker is tasked with covering plenty of ground. They’re also mainly responsible for preventing the opposition from launching an attack at the scrum. On top of this, the blindside flanker is also quick to arrive at the breakdown and must try to claim the ball when an opposition player is tackled. Learn everything you need to know about blindside flankers below:
Openside flanker
The openside flanker is usually slightly smaller than their blindside counterpart. This is because they’re tasked with covering even more ground. They’re vital for stopping opposition attacks, securing possession from turnovers and making big tackles. Discover the intricacies of the openside flanker’s role with this position guide:
Number 8
The number 8 stands at the base of the scrum. They’re responsible for offering additional pushing power and for providing the ball to the scrum half. A popular member of the team, the number 8 is the crucial link between the forwards and the backs. Learn more below with the full position guide for number 8s:
Scrum half
The scrum half is responsible for putting the ball into their team’s scrum and collecting it once possession has been secured. They’re also responsible for feeding the ball out of a ruck and other set pieces. Due to this, they’re excellent ball handlers and passers who are also incredibly quick thinkers. Learn all about the scrum half position here:
Fly half
Often the first receiver during an attack, the fly half is traditionally the playmaker of the team. Due to this, they must have an excellent passing range. However, they’re also responsible for putting boot to ball during free play and from the kicking tee. See our full position guide below for Fly halves:
Wingers
The wingers, wearing 11 and 14, stand on the left and the right of the field, respectively. Often the most potent try scorers in a team, wingers are quick runners who are also capable of eluding opposition tacklers. Learn more below:
Inside centre
The inside centre is usually the second receiver during an attack. However, these players can also be second playmakers or powerful midfield runners. Like a fly half, they also need to be excellent kickers who can create space effectively. Check out the full position guide below:
Outside centre
The outside centre tends to be a fast runner and an aggressive tackler. Like the inside centre, they’re also required to create space for others. Learn all about the outside centre position below:
Fullback
The fullback plays as the deepest player on a team. They need to be every bit as comfortable in defence as they are in attack. They also need to be reliable handlers, kickers and have phenomenal positional sense. See our full position guide for fullbacks below:
Comments on RugbyPass
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
44 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
44 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
44 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
44 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
44 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
44 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
44 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
44 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
44 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
44 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to comments