Rugby number-eight

Rugby number-eight and the flankers are a small group of marauding forwards - this is about what you do and how you play well in this position.

Number eight - position in the team

15 players are on the rugby field at any one time.

This includes 8 forwards.

Of the forwards, 3 are front row.

Immediately behind them are the two who form the second row.

Then the number eight, head between the second rowers, becomes part of the back row.

Here the number eights prepare to pack into a scrum.

The number-eight comes in one size - BIG

• tackling must be good
• must be strong
• must be tough
• heavy, good endurance, mobility for taking the ball forward and defending against the big opposition players

Rugby number-eight - in the scrum

The scrum restarts play after rules are breached in a minor way.

The number-eight is in the middle of the back row.

You provide weight for pushing and stability but have other responsibilities.

When the opposition win the ball in the scrum contest the number-eight DEFENDS.

The number-eight breaks from the scrum and combines with the two flankers to stop any players with the ball from breaking through down either side.

The players would usually be the opposition scrum-half or number-eight who have gathered the ball at the base of the scrum and run rather than pass to the backs.

When the ball goes to the opposition backs the number-eight follows at speed to help the flankers, stop the attack and get the ball back!

When the ball is won in the scrum the number-eight may gather the ball at the scrum base and attack by running with the ball.

In attack the number-eight must also SUPPORT other players.

It may be supporting the scrum-half running the ball from the base of the scrum...

or may be covering across as the ball moves along the back-line, joining the flankers to retrieve the ball after any break-down in play.

Rugby number-eight - at the line-out

The line-out restarts play after the ball has "gone into touch".

Number-eights at the back of the line-out sometimes get the ball because of their size.

Number-eights duties together with the flankers are similar to scrum time. Stop breaks with the ball around the end of the line. Make things difficult as possible for the opposition backs to function well.

In attack more of the same. At any break-down assist the flankers in getting the ball, provide part of the defensive wall and stop any counter-attacks.

Rugby number-eight - during general play

The number-eight and the two flankers defend in a co-ordinated way. When the team is attacking they support ball carriers in trouble. Time for the rucking and mauling skills!

At times when backs are caught in break-downs the back-row may find they have to cover for the backs to maintain a strong defensive line where the backs would normally be.

Now for the sidestep.

The biggest player I have ever seen do a sidestep is Andy Powell. From memory he was playing number 8 for Wales against Australia.

At 6'4" and around 114kg he is a great example of just how elusive big players can be.

To get an idea of the size and build of a number 8 in relation to other positions look at details of elite players.

It`s probably worth looking at flankers as well because n8s are often lumped in as flankers or "back row" players we report as number 6s.

You`ll find out about them when you visit our page on player sizes.