This is a “A Simple Guide to Every Rugby Position”.

Rugby is a game for players of all shapes and sizes. That’s because there are specific positions on the pitch that require specialised skills. Of course, all players need to be able to run, pass, make tackles and clear out rucks, but some positions will be doing more of one thing than another. In addition, rugby is full of set pieces, such as restarts, lineouts, scrums, kick offs and kick at goal, at which each position has a certain role.

So, in this guide we give the main set piece attributes for each position, along with attack and defence essentials. We also highlight the ’X Factors’, those parts of the game where a player can bring a new dimension to a team.

You can use this guide to help your players understand what they should be doing in a game. This is especially helpful if a player is changing positions and is unsure of his or her new role. Each position is covered on a single sheet, so it’s easy to print the individual sheets.

Remember these are purely guides. There is no one set template. But, there are basics that the players should be executing. Therefore, the guide offers you and your players objectives to aim for. Once your players have a good understanding of their positions, they can look to develop their skills.

You could encourage your team to look at how top players operate at international level. Ask your props to look at Tadhg Furlong’s scrummaging, suggest the flankers take note of Peter O’Mahony’s dynamic support play, or your centres look at the great running lines of Robbie Henshaw and your scrum-half to see Jamison Gibson-Park’s quick-thinking under pressure.

Once the players understand the fundamentals of their positions, they can take their play to the next level and beyond !