Blindside flanker
The blindside flanker should be an all round athlete.
Strength, speed, fitness, stamina - the list goes on and on.
Flankers are always involved in the game, winning ball and making the big tackles in open play.
The blindside flanker tends to be bigger than their fellow team-mate, the openside flanker.
They have more of a physical role and are often a target for the hooker in the line out.
Because of their high tackle count, flankers are always involved in rucks or mauls either at the bottom or making the drive that counts.
Openside flanker
The flanker should be an all round athlete.
Strength, speed, fitness, stamina - the list goes on and on.
Flankers are always in the heart of the action, winning ball and making the big tackles in open play.
The openside flanker is a slightly different player from their partner, the blindside flanker.
They are normally smaller in size than their partner, making them more mobile around the pitch.
the openside flanker will often be the player with the responsibility to mark the other side's fly-half.
They do this by quickly closing them down, reducing the time they have to kick or pass.
Because of their high tackle count, flankers are always involved in rucks or mauls either at the bottom or making the big drives.
Number eight
This is not a position for the feint-hearted.
The modern number eight has the physical strength of a forward along with the speed and skill of a back.
In short, you've got to be the all-round rugby player.
The number eight is the player who controls the ball at the back of the scrum.
They are also a potential target for the hooker in the line out.
And if that wasn't enough, they are always in the middle of a ruck or maul.
This is a very demanding position for a demanding player.
|
