A rugby union team has 15 players on the field: eight forwards and seven backs. Each position has a traditional number from 1 to 15 and a different role in scrums, lineouts, breakdowns, attack and defense.
But rugby positions are not simply 15 isolated jobs. Props work with hookers. Locks work with the back row. Scrum-halves connect the forwards to the backs. Fly-halves organize attacks. Centres create and defend space, while wings and full-backs operate across the widest and deepest areas of the field.
This guide explains all 15 rugby positions, their traditional numbers, what each player does and how the pieces fit together in a 15-a-side rugby union team.
What are the 15 positions in rugby?
The first eight positions are the forwards. Numbers 9 through 15 are the backs.
- 1Loose-head prop
- 2Hooker
- 3Tight-head prop
- 4Lock / second row
- 5Lock / second row
- 6Blindside flanker
- 7Openside flanker
- 8Number 8
- 9Scrum-half
- 10Fly-half
- 11Left wing
- 12Inside centre
- 13Outside centre
- 14Right wing
- 15Full-back
Terminology can vary by country. For example, fly-half may be called first five-eighth, scrum-half may be called half-back, and locks may be called second rows.
What is the difference between forwards and backs?
Rugby's 15 players are traditionally divided into two broad groups: forwards and backs.
Forwards
The forwards form the eight-player pack used in a full scrum. They are heavily involved in set pieces, close contact, carrying, tackling, rucks and mauls.
Backs
The backs typically operate with more space. Passing, kicking, attacking width, support lines, backfield coverage and finishing opportunities are major parts of their roles.
These are useful starting points, not rigid boundaries. Modern forwards need handling and decision-making skills, while backs tackle, contest breakdowns and carry into heavy contact. Every player attacks and defends.
The forwards
The forwards make up the pack. In a full 15-a-side scrum, they are arranged as a front row, second row and back row.
Props and hooker: positions 1, 2 and 3
The front row sits at the heart of the scrum. It consists of two props with the hooker between them.
Loose-head prop
The loose-head prop anchors the left side of the front row and is a specialist scrummager who also carries, tackles and cleans out breakdowns.
Packs down on the left side of the hooker and contests directly against the opposing tight-head prop.
Provides physical carries, tackles, ruck support and close-range work around the ball.
Hooker
The hooker packs between the two props, contests for possession in the scrum and traditionally throws the ball into the lineout.
Works between the props in the scrum and is commonly responsible for throwing accurately to teammates at the lineout.
Often combines the physical work of a front-row forward with mobility, tackling and involvement at the breakdown.
Tight-head prop
The tight-head prop anchors the right side of the front row and performs one of rugby's most technically demanding scrummaging roles.
Packs down with opponents engaging on both sides of the tight-head's upper body, making stability and technique crucial.
Contributes through powerful carries, tackles, ruck work and close-range physical contests.
Locks: positions 4 and 5
The two locks form the second row of the scrum. They provide power behind the front row and are also central figures at the lineout.
Lock
A powerful forward who binds behind the front row in the scrum and is commonly used as a jumper or lifter at lineouts.
Lock
Shares the second-row responsibilities, contributing scrum power, lineout work, carrying, tackling and support at the breakdown.
Height and reach can be valuable at the lineout, where teams compete for possession in the air. But effective locks also need strength, technique, mobility and a high work rate.
Flankers and number 8: positions 6, 7 and 8
The back row combines tackling, carrying, support play and work around the breakdown. It consists of two flankers and the number 8.
Blindside flanker
The blindside flanker is traditionally a physical back-row player heavily involved in tackling, carrying, defensive pressure and breakdown work.
Openside flanker
The openside flanker is traditionally expected to cover ground quickly, make tackles, support play and compete around the breakdown.
Number 8
The number 8 packs at the rear of the scrum and combines the physical responsibilities of the forward pack with an important linking and ball-carrying role.
Packs at the back of the scrum and can control the ball at the base before it is played away.
Often acts as a powerful carrier and link between the forwards and backs while contributing heavily in defense.
The backs
The seven backs generally operate outside the forward pack and are responsible for moving the ball into space, organizing attacks, kicking, defending across the field and finishing scoring opportunities.
Scrum-half and fly-half: positions 9 and 10
Numbers 9 and 10 are central to how a rugby team organizes possession. They frequently act as the connection between the forwards winning the ball and the backs attacking with it.
Scrum-half
The scrum-half operates around scrums, rucks and mauls, moving the ball away from those contests and connecting the forwards with the rest of the attack.
Retrieves and distributes possession from the base of scrums, rucks and mauls.
Supplies quick, accurate ball to the fly-half and other attackers while making tactical decisions around the breakdown.
Fly-half
The fly-half is one of the team's primary tactical decision-makers, often choosing whether to pass, kick, carry or direct play elsewhere.
Reads the defense and helps determine where and how the team attacks.
Often has significant kicking and organizational responsibilities, although the exact role varies by team.
Gets the ball there.
Decides what happens next.
Inside and outside centre: positions 12 and 13
The centres operate between the half-backs and outside backs. They combine carrying, passing, running lines and some of the most demanding defensive decision-making in the backline.
Inside centre
The inside centre often provides another passing or kicking option outside the fly-half while also carrying directly and defending through the middle of the field.
Outside centre
The outside centre attacks wider channels, looks for space and line breaks, links with the wings and must make difficult defensive reads as attacks move toward the edge.
Left and right wing: positions 11 and 14
Wings usually occupy the widest attacking channels and are often among a team's primary try-scoring threats.
Left wing
The left wing looks to finish attacks near the touchline, exploit space with speed and contribute to defensive and kicking coverage.
Right wing
The right wing performs a similar role on the opposite side of the field, combining finishing ability with positioning, aerial skills and defensive work.
Full-back
The full-back often operates deepest in the backfield, covering kicks, organizing defensive space and looking for opportunities to counterattack.
Reads opposition kicks, covers space behind the defensive line and communicates with wings and other defenders.
Can counterattack into open space, join the attacking line, kick tactically or link with the wings.
Why do rugby positions have numbers?
Rugby union traditionally associates each starting position with a number from 1 to 15.
The numbers make it easier to identify a player's starting role. When rugby fans talk about a team's “10,” for example, they usually mean the fly-half rather than simply the person wearing an arbitrary jersey number.
Players can move into different roles during a match, however, and substitutions or tactical changes can mean the number on a player's shirt no longer perfectly describes where that player is operating.
Why do some rugby positions have different names?
Rugby terminology developed differently around the world, so fans may hear different names for the same or similar positions.
| Common term | Other terminology you may hear |
|---|---|
| Lock | Second row |
| Scrum-half | Half-back |
| Fly-half | First five-eighth |
| Inside centre | Second five-eighth in some rugby terminology |
The important thing is the player's function, not which regional term a commentator, coach or competition prefers.
Which rugby position should I play?
There is no perfect body type for a rugby position, and coaches look at much more than height, weight or speed. Technique, decision-making, confidence, work rate and the needs of the team all matter.
But certain skills naturally point toward different roles.
“Big players are forwards and fast players are backs” is far too simplistic. Modern rugby rewards versatile players, and the best position is the one that fits a player's skills, development and team role.
Which rugby positions are in the scrum?
In 15-a-side rugby with full teams, the eight forwards form the scrum.
The scrum-half does not bind into the eight-player pack but plays an important role at the scrum, including putting the ball into the scrum under the applicable laws and then helping move possession away.
Do rugby players stay in one position?
No.
Position names describe a player's primary role and set-piece responsibilities, but rugby is a fluid game.
A prop may carry the ball in midfield. A lock may pass to a wing. A full-back may join the attacking line. A fly-half may defend in a different channel. A wing may appear on the opposite side of the field.
Understanding that distinction makes rugby much easier to follow. The numbered positions provide the structure; the game itself is constantly moving.
Are rugby sevens positions the same?
Not exactly. This guide describes traditional positions in 15-a-side rugby union.
Rugby sevens has only seven players per team on the field and uses three forwards and four backs. With fewer players covering the same size field, the positional demands and amount of open space are very different.
8 forwards · 7 backs
3 forwards · 4 backs
Rugby positions: frequently asked questions
What are the 15 positions in rugby?
The traditional positions are loose-head prop, hooker, tight-head prop, two locks, blindside flanker, openside flanker, number 8, scrum-half, fly-half, left wing, inside centre, outside centre, right wing and full-back.
What position is number 1 in rugby?
Number 1 is the loose-head prop, a front-row forward who packs down on the left side of the hooker in the scrum.
What position is number 8 in rugby?
Number 8 is both the shirt number and the usual name of the position. The number 8 plays at the back of the scrum and is part of the back row.
What position is number 10 in rugby?
Number 10 is the fly-half, one of the team's primary tactical decision-makers and a key link in organizing the attack.
What is the difference between scrum-half and fly-half?
The scrum-half commonly retrieves and distributes the ball from scrums, rucks and mauls. The fly-half often receives that possession and helps decide how the team attacks through passing, kicking or carrying.
What is the difference between a flanker and a number 8?
All three are back-row forwards, but the number 8 packs at the rear of the scrum and can control the ball at its base. Flankers bind on the sides of the scrum and are traditionally heavily involved in tackling, support and breakdown contests.
What positions are forwards in rugby?
Numbers 1 through 8 are the forwards: two props, hooker, two locks, two flankers and the number 8.
What positions are backs in rugby?
Numbers 9 through 15 are the backs: scrum-half, fly-half, two wings, two centres and full-back.
What is the most important position in rugby?
There is no single most important position. Different positions perform specialized jobs, and rugby depends on those roles working together. Some positions may have greater responsibility for certain set pieces or tactical decisions, but no position functions in isolation.
Can rugby players change positions?
Yes. Players can develop into different positions, and many players are capable of covering multiple roles. During open play, players also move throughout the field rather than remaining in fixed spots.
Are rugby positions the same everywhere?
The basic roles in 15-a-side rugby union are widely recognizable, but terminology and tactical responsibilities can vary between countries, teams and coaches.
Are rugby union and rugby sevens positions the same?
No. Rugby sevens uses seven players rather than 15, with three forwards and four backs, so its positional structure is different from the 15-a-side game described in this guide.
Fifteen positions. One connected team.
The easiest way to understand rugby positions is to stop thinking of them as 15 separate jobs.
The front row gives the scrum its foundation. Locks add power and lineout presence. The back row hunts, carries and supports. The scrum-half moves possession. The fly-half helps direct it. Centres attack and defend the middle channels. Wings stretch the field, and the full-back protects and attacks from the backfield.
The one thing to remember:
A rugby player's number tells you their starting role — but understanding
how the positions work together tells you how the game works.
Understand what happens after the positions take the field
Rugby positions make more sense once you understand the contests and structures those players are responsible for.
Sources & further reading
- World Rugby — Beginner's Guide: Rugby Positions
- World Rugby — Law 3: Team
- World Rugby — Law 19: Scrum
Position terminology and tactical responsibilities can vary between countries, competitions, teams and coaches. This guide uses common 15-a-side rugby union terminology.