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Rugby prop

A rugby prop plays in the front row of the scrum in a rugby game. What does this player do and what do you need to be good.

Position in the team

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

This includes 8 forwards...

...of those forwards, 3 are front row...

...of these there are 2 props...

...one on either side of the hooker...like this...

Rugby prop
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.

A short, thick, muscular neck is good...
...no neck at all...even better...
...because of all the pressures in the scrum

Rugby Prop - in the scrum

The scrum...
...restarts play after minor breach 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 a pack of players
.
After a solemn incantaion from the match official...just kidding...
...it`s "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 specified way...
...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.

Props along with the other members of the scrum...
...use bulk and strength to....

...stabalise...
...so the ball travels well through the scrum...
...if you are getting the ball...

...or...destabalise...
...disrupt the movement of the ball if the opposition has it.

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...
....maul the ball forward, struggling against opponents...
...and prevent opposition breaking through..

All of which 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 inpenetrable lines of defence near the goal-line.

In summary...
...it`s very much about strength...
...size, technique, endurance and pride

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

...even props can do it!
...It will happen!

Return from Rugby prop to Rugby positions

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia