Tighthead Prop - Position Guide
In many rugby circles, the tighthead prop is regarded as the most valued member of a rugby team.
Although they don’t usually do the work that a lot of casual spectators see and value, the success of most rugby teams hinges on the work that the tighthead prop does at set pieces. For example, if the tighthead prop is dominating the opposing loosehead prop in the scrum, then his hooker has a much easier job of accessing the ball.
The tighthead prop is a strong player who relishes physical battles. Players who play in the tighthead prop position are usually at their happiest when smashing opponents in tackles, rucks and mauls. They also take great pride in their work at the scrum.
With this in mind, let’s take a more detailed look at the role of the tighthead prop.
In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the position in question. We’ll look at what a tighthead prop does during a rugby match and the best tighthead props to ever play the game. We’ll also answer a number of popular reader questions.
What is a tighthead prop?
The tighthead prop is one of the three players who form the front row of the scrum. They stand on the right-hand-side of the hooker, who is on the right-hand-side of the loosehead prop.
The tighthead prop position gets its name because this player’s head is on the inside of the scrum. In this respect, the tighthead prop is different to the loosehead, who binds with their head on the outside of the scrum.
Other names for a tighthead prop
Around the world, different rugby positions sometimes have different names. For example, the fly half is sometimes also known as the outside half, standoff or outhalf.
Thankfully, with the tighthead prop, we can avoid this confusion. This is because the tighthead prop is known by the same name by fans from all over the world.
What number is a tighthead prop?
Players in a game of rugby union wear shirts that are numbered from 1-15. These numbers are standardised, and the tighthead prop wears number 3.
This is because the tighthead prop is on the front row of the scrum alongside the loosehead prop (1) and the hooker (2).
What is the average size of a tighthead prop?
Tighthead props tend to be strong and squat. To succeed in their job, they must be muscular, strong, tough and intimidating. Packing into a scrum is a very physically demanding job, and a short, thick and muscular neck is really useful. It can also decrease the risk of injury.
Typically, a tighthead prop is around 1.85m (6ft1in) tall. But, along with their height, the best tighthead props are big and heavy. This is because the tighthead prop is the anchor of the scrum and needs to support the weight of both packs. For this reason, the average weight of an elite tighthead prop is 115-120kg (254-265lbs). It’s also worth saying that the tighthead prop is usually the heaviest player on the team.
What is the tighthead prop’s role?
The tighthead prop plays a vital role in a rugby union match. As the heaviest and biggest player on most teams, they act as the anchor for the side. They also play a crucial role in set pieces, such as scrums and lineouts.
With this in mind, let’s have a more detailed look at the role the tighthead prop plays, including their responsibilities in the scrum and during lineouts.
What is the tighthead prop’s role in scrums?
In the scrum, the tighthead binds onto the opposing loosehead prop by placing their right arm outside the left upper arm of the opposing loosehead prop.
The main difference between the tighthead prop and the loosehead prop is their position in the scrum. The tighthead prop has their head between the hooker and loosehead prop of the opposition. This ‘trapped’ position between the two led to the name ‘tighthead’.
When the tighthead prop’s team has the put-in at the scrum, their job is stabilisation. Their aim is to anchor the scrum and lower their body position so they are underneath their opponent. However, this is a careful balancing act. If the tighthead prop drops too low, the scrum will collapse and they may concede a penalty.
When the opposition has the put-in at the scrum, the tighthead prop will work alongside their hooker to try and isolate either the opposition’s loosehead prop or the opposition’s hooker. In doing so, they can destroy the channel where the ball enters, or make it incredibly difficult for the hooker to effectively strike the ball.
What is the tighthead prop’s role in lineouts?
During the lineout, the loosehead prop and the tighthead prop usually work as the team’s two lifters. As the strongest players on the team, they’re responsible for lifting the catcher, holding them in positon and bringing them down safely once they’ve caught the ball.
To function effectively in the lineout, a tighthead prop must be light on their feet. This way, they can move around to the assigned jumper and make decoy runs that will catch the opposition off guard.
What is the tighthead prop’s role in rucks?
At ruck time, tighthead props usually act as ‘the cleaner’. Their job is to ensure that possession is always protected. This means that tighthead props usually clear tacklers and other opposition players away from the ball. To be effective in this role, a tighthead prop has to move quickly.
In addition to this, as a ball carrier, the tighthead prop needs to generate some forward momentum and then use this and their weight to tire opposition defenders. It’s the job of a tighthead prop to run into weak opposition shoulders. When attempted tackles are made, they also need to drive their legs to create forward momentum.
On defence, the tighthead prop should aim to slow down the opposition ball by driving into the ruck. However, when doing this, they must abide by the rules of the ruck in order to avoid giving away a penalty.
What is the tighthead prop’s role in mauls?
The tighthead prop also plays an important role in mauls, where they’re responsible for protecting the lifted player so that the ball can be safely transferred to the back of the maul.
Once a maul has formed, the tighthead prop is responsible for driving and getting the maul moving forwards. Again, speed is of the essence here, and the tighthead prop must use their size and strength to get the maul moving before the scrum half is told to ‘use it’ by the referee.
On defence, the tighthead prop is responsible for stopping their opposite number from doing what is described above. In addition to this, they also have a very narrow window of opportunity where they can attempt to sack the maul. However, if they are unsuccessful in achieving this, their job becomes to prevent the maul from moving towards the goal-line.
Notable tighthead props
As part of our Hall of Fame, we asked rugby fans from all over the world who their favourite tighthead prop was. They overwhelmingly told us that legendary New Zealander Owen Franks was the best tighthead to ever play the game. It’s easy to see why, too. During his international career, he was capped more than 100 times by the All Blacks and won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015. Other popular tighthead props included Carl Hayman, Jannie du Plessis and Adam Jones.
Today, Tadhg Furlong is regarded as the best tighthead prop in the world. A superstar for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions, he’s a fierce competitor who has won almost every trophy available in the sport.
FAQs
To help you learn more about the role of the tighthead prop in a game of rugby union, we’ve answered a number of popular reader questions. So, read on to discover more about what makes a good tighthead prop, what work they do in the gym and how a tighthead prop can improve their scrummaging technique.
What makes a good tighthead prop?
To be successful, tighthead props must be strong and heavy. While the role of the loosehead prop is to understand angles and have impressive technique, tightheads instead need to be strong and able to withstand pressure.
Due to the physicality of the position, tighthead props spend a lot of time in the gym. A lot of elite tighthead props regularly squat more than 200kg.
What exercises do tighthead props do in the gym?
As we’ve mentioned, to excel in their position, tighthead props need to be incredibly big and strong. Due to their role at the scrum, tighthead props spend a lot of time in the gym working on their posterior chain. This includes exercises that focus on developing their glutes, hamstrings and lower back. However, tighthead props also complete exercises that strengthen their quads, shoulders and neck.
Exercises that are popular with tighthead props include:
- Deadlifts
- Back squats
- Lunges
- Overhead press
- Barbell rows
- Shrugs
Do you have any tighthead prop scrummaging tips?
The primary role of the tighthead prop is to dominate the scrum. To be as effective as possible while scrummaging, the tighthead prop must push the opposition’s loosehead prop down as much as possible. This way, the opposition’s hooker cannot see the ball and it becomes very difficult for them to strike the ball and hook it backwards.
To be effective in the scrum, a tighthead prop must get into a good position. You should be scrummaging on your loosehead’s head, not their chest. You should also have 3/4 of your chest over your toes in the crouch position.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments