Rugby Union Positions - History

History

During early rugby union games there were only really two positions; most players were in the forwards, who formed part of the scrimmage (which later was called "scrummage" and then "scrum"), and a few defensive "tends" (from "goaltenders"). Eventually, the attacking possibilities of playing close behind the scrimmage were recognised. The players who stationed themselves between the forwards and tends became known as "half-tends". Later it was observed that the players outside scrimmage were not limited to a defensive role, so the tends and half-tends were renamed "backs" and "half backs". As the game became more sophisticated the backs positioned at different depths behind the forwards. They were further differentiated into half backs, three quarters (the fraction 3/4) back, and full back. Specialised roles for the scrum also evolved with "wing- forward" (modern day flankers) being employed to protect the half back. The first international between England and Scotland was played in 1871 and consisted of twenty players on each side: thirteen forwards, three half backs, one three quarter and three fullbacks. The player numbers were reduced to fifteen in 1877. Numbers were added to the backs of players jerseys in the 1920s, initially as a way for coaches and selectors to rate individual players.