Rugby Union Positions - Names of Positions

Names of Positions

The various positions have changed names over time and many are known by different names in other countries. Players in the flanker positions were originally known as "wing forwards", while in the backs,"centre three-quarter" and "wing three-quarter" were used to describe the outside centre and wing respectively (although the terms are still sometimes used in the Northern Hemisphere) The International Rugby Board standard names tend to reflect Northern Hemisphere usage although fly-half is still often known as "outside half" or "stand-off half" in Britain, and "outhalf" in Ireland. In New Zealand the scrum-half is still referred to as the "half-back", the fly-half is referred to as the "first five-eighth", the inside centre is called the "second five-eighth" and the outside centre is simply known as "centre". In America and Canada the number 8 is known as "8 man".

Collective terms are also used to describe similar positions, with the props and hookers combining to form the "front row", the locks the "second row" and the flankers and number 8 the "loose forwards" or the "loosies". The front row and second row combined are collectively termed the "tight five". In the backs "half backs" can be used to describe the scrum half and fly-half, the "inside backs" to describe the scrum half, fly-half and inside center, "midfield" for the fly half and both centres, though in New Zealand it refers only to the 2nd five-eighth and centre, and "outside backs" for the outside centre, wings and fullback. The two props are distinguished by being either a "tighthead" (their head is positioned between the opposition prop and hooker) or "loosehead" (their head is positioned on the outside of the scrum). The "blindside flanker" binds to the scrum on the side closest to the side line, while the "openside flanker" binds on the side with the most space between the scrum and the sideline. Wingers usually stick to one side of the field and are termed "left wing" or "right wing".