Rugby Union Positions - Overview

Overview

There are up to fifteen players from each team on a rugby field at one time. The players position at the start of the game is indicated by the number on the back of their shirts, one to fifteen. In international matches there are seven substitutes that can replace an on field team member. The substitutes, numbered sixteen to twenty-two, can either take up the position of the player they replace or the on-field players can be shuffled to make room for this player in another position. There are no personal squad numbers as a versatile player's position and number can be changed from one game to the next. Players can also change positions with players on the field during the match, and as long as the laws are followed any player can change positions with another player during the match. Common examples are the fly half playing the fullback's position in defence or a prop taking the hooker's position at lineouts. The positions are divided into two main categories; forwards (numbered one to eight) and backs (numbered nine to fifteen).

Different positions on the field suit certain skill sets and body types, generally leading to players specialising in one or two positions. Each position has certain roles to play on the field, although most have been established through convention rather than law. During general play, as long as they are not offside, the players can be positioned anywhere on the field. It is during the set pieces, scrum and lineout, when the positions are enforced. At lineouts there must be at least two players from each team lined up five metres from where the ball crossed the side line. They form two straight lines next to each other and a player from the team awarded the lineout throws the ball between them. A player from each team stands two metres from the lineout and the opposing team must also have someone standing two metres from the player throwing the ball in. The remainder of the team not participating in the lineout must be positioned at least ten metres back from the lineout. While anyone on the field can be part of a lineout, it is generally composed of forwards. The usual situation involves the hooker throwing the ball in, aiming for the locks that are lifted into the air by the props. The scrum-halves are usually positioned near the lineout ready to receive the ball once the forwards have gained possession.

Each team must have eight players in the scrum, unless for some reason (i.e. a send off or injury) they cannot field fifteen players. Specialised front-row players (i.e. props and hookers) must be part of the scrum, for safety reasons under the law. If a specialised player is not available, the scrum must have 'no weight', which means no player is allowed to push forward once the scrum commences. In cases where a front-row player is off the field due to a yellow card (compulsory 10 minutes off the field) or a red card (no longer allowed to participate in the game), a temporary substitution of another player is mandatory to ensure specialist front-row players participate in the scrum. If a team cannot field eight in the scrum, generally it drops the flankers or the number eight, but the props, hooker and lock positions must be maintained.

The props (1 and 3) bind on either side of the hooker (2) to form the front row of the scrum. The two locks (4 and 5) bind together and push on the props and the hooker. The flankers (6 and 7) bind to the side of the scrum and the number eight (8) pushes on the locks or a lock and a flanker. Once each team has formed its half of the scrum the two front rows are brought together under the command of the referee. The scrum-half puts the ball into the middle of the scrum and then retrieves it from under the number eight's feet if it is successfully won. The remainder of the team must be positioned at least five metres back from the scrum.