Rugby is played in two formats. 15s and 7s. Fittingly named as they dictate how many players each side has active at once. Here’s an explanation of each player’s position and their role in the match.

Rugby players in general are able to play all facets of the game, they need to be able to kick, run, and tackle. But some players specialize in certain aspects. The jersey number of each player also corresponds with their position. While this is true for starting players, a reserve player that substitutes will have a jersey number higher than 15. Players are grouped into Forwards and Backs. Let’s start at the back, shall we?

Backs (9-15)

Full Back

Wearing the #15 jersey, the Full Back is responsible for fielding kicks from the opposing team and represents the last line of defense should an opponent break away from the back line. A good Full Back needs to have good catching ability and a good foot to punt the ball a long distance. Speed is also critical as they will frequently find themselves in the open field and need to capitalize on the chance to gain ground or close down a free-running opponent.

Wings

There are two wings on the field at once. One on the left and one on the right. These players are the #11 on the left and #14 on the right. These players specialize in scoring tries and are usually the fastest players on the squad. They can also be big and strong players that are able to break tackles.

Centers

Two centers make up a chunk of the midfield. The Outside Center (#13) lines up to the left of the Right Wing and the Inside Center (#12) to the left of the other center. Centers are frequently in the thick of the action as they are some of the first to either tackle opponents or touch the ball after scrums. Centers need to have good field vision and strength. Their stamina and fitness are also incredibly important as they endure a lot of running but also a lot of contact. Centers are jacks of all trades.

Fly-half and Scrum-half

The two half-backs round out the Backs. They are typically your most strategic players. The Fly-half wears the #10 jersey. Fly-halves receive the ball from restarts of play. That can be off of a lineout or a scrum. As such, they dictate where the play goes from there. They need to be able to receive the ball and quickly decide the team’s strategy. Will they run left? Right? Will they kick for distance? Fly-halves are good runners, passers, and kickers. They are often the best kicker on the team and will take conversions most of the time.
A Scrum-half is the lynchpin between the Forwards and the Backs. Wearing the #9, they will get the ball from a lineout or remove the ball from a scrum and quickly move it to their Fly-half. The #9 is also the player that feeds the ball into the scrum. Much like the Fly-half, they are excellent communicators and are crucial to overall game strategy. While Scrum-halves have historically been the smallest players on the team, they still pressure the opposing Scrum-half on a defensive scrum and play critical roles in defending deep kicks.

FORWARDS (1-8)

Number Eight

The award for most creatively named position, obviously. The Number Eight wears an 8 on his back. He binds between the locks at the back of the scrum and provides more push. Eights will communicate with their Scrum-half and are versatile in lineouts acting as lifters or jumpers.

Flankers

Two Flankers “flank” the back row of the scrum. The openside Flanker will usually bind (or link up) to the side of the scrum that covers the larger area. He will wear the #7. The blindside Flanker, wearing #6, covers the side nearest to the sideline. A Flanker’s role outside of the scrum is mainly one of defense, they are tackle specialists. They are not typically involved in rucks or mauls as they need to be ready for the next contact. Your #6 will be the larger of the two and the #7 is usually the faster Flanker.

Locks

Now you’re getting into the meat of the scrum. Two locks wearing 4 and 5 provide the power to your scrum. They are known as the engine room and usually the tallest players. The locks are the primary players that push on the front row of your scrum and provide the power. Locks are typically the players lifted up for lineouts and are commonly competing for kicks and securing the ball during mauls or rucks. If a Lock does run forward with the ball, it is generally not for long distances.

Hooker

Wearing the #2 jersey, the Hooker is positioned between the two props on the front row. They are called such as they will be the person to “hook” the ball back to their side during scrums. They use their feet and win possession. Hookers have long arms that they use to bind to their Props and they also use those long arms to throw effective lineouts for their teams.

Props

There are two Props on the field, they wear numbers 1 and 3. The Props “prop up” the Hooker, hence their name. The loosehead Prop is on the left side and their head will be outside of the scrum. The tighthead Prop is on the right with their head positioned between the opposition’s Hooker and loosehead Prop. Props provide stability to scrums and support the Hooker in trying to win the ball. Additionally, being especially strong, Props will be the players that lift others to compete for the ball in lineouts or kickoffs.

Differences in sevens

Rugby Sevens via USA Rugby — via USA Rugby

15s and 7s are similar in many aspects of the game, the overall goal is the same and the rules of play are as well. But with less than half the number of normal players, there is a much more open field to play through. As such, Sevens players tend to all be Backs or speedier Forwards in 15s teams. Games are also only two seven-minute halves instead of two 40-minute halves, so get ready for a track meet! Teams will typically line up with 3 Forwards to form one-row scrums and 4 Backs behind them. There are no Locks or Flankers, and only one Wing and Center in the Backs. Sevens is currently an Olympic sport with Fiji taking home gold in both 2016 and 2020 for the Men’s competition.

Rugby 101

Player Positions and Numbers