Rugby prop

A rugby prop plays in the front row of the scrum in a rugby game. What you need if you want to play well in this position.

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

of the front row, 2 are props

one on either side of the hooker like this

Rugby prop in the front row of a scrum

The shape of the player icons indicates the physique needed!

Props should be square, well cubes might be better!

• the more muscle the better
• the tougher the better
• the stronger the better
• the more intimidating the better

also

• a short, thick, muscular neck is good
• no neck at all is even better!
• because of all the pressures in the scrum

Rugby Prop - in the scrum

The scrum restarts play after minor breaches of the rules.

It`s a contest for possession of the ball with a small advantage given to the non-offending team.

When a scrum is formed 8 players from each team (the forwards) bind together into their own pack of players, facing the opposition pack.

After a solemn incantation from the match official,

"Crouch, Touch, Pause, ENGAGE!"

the two opposing packs, bent double, crash together

The head and necks of the two front rows mesh together in a specific pattern.

Loose-head has an opposition head on only one side of his/her head.

Tight-head has his/her head between the heads of two opponents.

The props in each team take most of the strain!

They attempt to stay on their feet and the scrum-half puts the ball into the tunnel between the opposing packs.

As a prop you use your bulk and strength along with the other members of the scrum to

• if you manage to get the ball, stabalise the scrum so the ball travels well through the scrum and appears at the rear for the scrum-half to pick up
• if they manage to get the ball, de-stabalise the scrum so they can`t easily control the ball. You may even so so well you push them off the ball and you get it back.

There is a huge amount of technical know-how involved, apparently!

I remember reading about a scrummaging coach working with an existing national scrum. The rugby public told not to expect too much because they had only been at it a year!

Rugby Prop - in the line-out

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

See elsewhere for full details of the line-out.

Rugby props lift rugby locks so the locks can more easily catch the ball, thrown in by the hooker.

Props also, at times, break through the lineout and maul the ball forward, struggling against opponents to make ground or prevent the opposition forwards from breaking through.

All of this needs great strength and endurance.

Rugby Prop - in general play

Props tend to be the strongest and heaviest players on the field.

They work hard to carry the ball forward often into the strongest part of the opposition aiming to make ground and tire the opposition.

Props must also work co-operatively with other forwards to surge upfield, slipping the ball from one player to another to outwit the defence.

In defense they take pride in blunting attacks by opposition forwards and forming impenetrable lines of defence near the goal-line.

A prop summary

It`s very much about size, strength, technique, endurance and pride.

And remember it`s rugby - you still need to be able to keep up around the field!

No wonder they don`t...
...spend a lot of time practicing sidesteps.

But you should!
Props can do it!
It will happen!

Improve rugby play - know other positions

You may want to click the link below and find out about other rugby positions. You could find it very useful...

• you may find you like other positions more

• you will know what to expect from players in other positions and get insight into what they may expect from you

• at times in a game you may find you are covering for a player trapped out of position- it`s useful if you know what to do!

• get a feel for the other positions so you know more about rugby play in general and get an idea of what other players are going through