In the game rugby union, there are fifteen players on each team, comprising eight forwards (numbered 1 to 8) and seven backs (numbered 9 to 15). Depending upon the competition, there may be up to eight replacement players. Early games consisted primarily of forwards that attacked plus a number of "tends" that played back in defence. As the game became more sophisticated, different positions developed and jersey numbers were instituted to differentiate them. Players are not restricted to any single position on the field, although they generally specialise in just one or two that suit their skills and body types. The scrum (a huddle used to restart play), however must consist of eight players (providing a team still has fifteen on the field); three in the front row, two in the second, and another three loosely at the edges of the formation.
The positions as named by the International Rugby Board are fullback, wing (left and right), centre (inside and outside), fly-half, scrum-half, number eight, flanker (openside and blindside), lock, hooker and prop (loosehead and tighthead). The names have changed over time and with geography. Early names such as "three quarters" and "out-halves" are still used by some people, while in New Zealand the fly-half and inside centre are called "first-five eighth" and "second-five eighth" respectively, while the scrum-half is known as the half-back. The "tight five" consists of the props, locks and hooker; the "loosies" are the number eight and flankers; the "inside backs" are the scrum-half, fly-half and inside centre; and the "out-side backs" are the outside centre, wings and fullback.
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped ball with a maximum length and width of 30 centimetres (12 in) and 62 centimetres (24 in) respectively. It is played on a field up to 100 metres (330 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide with H-shaped goal posts on each goal line.
William Webb Ellis is often credited with the invention of running with the ball in hand in 1823 at Rugby School when he allegedly caught the ball while playing football and ran towards the opposition goal. However, the evidence for the story is doubtful. In 1845, the first football laws were written by Rugby School pupils; other significant events in the early development of rugby include the Blackheath Club's decision to leave the Football Association in 1863 and the split between rugby union and rugby league in 1895. Historically an amateur sport, in 1995 the International Rugby Board (IRB) removed restrictions on payments to players, making the game openly professional at the highest level for the first time.
Rugby may refer to:
James WHite is the most famous player of all time. Also most loved.
Pitch Demo: Danny Care gives scrum-half master class | Rugby Tonight
Scrummage - How to play Scrum-half
Scrum-half highlights
Aaron Smith good scrum half play analysed
Scrum Half Workout | Personal Trainer Bangkok | Functional Training
Peter Stringer's scrum-half masterclass | BT Sport
John Mitchell shares valuable rugby coaching tips for scrum half's at a Powerade Performance Session
Wales scrum half goal kicking challenge | WRU TV
Tribute to FRANCOIS HOUGAARD - "The little pocket BATTLESHIP"
Rugby Drill - Passing - Scrum Half
Rugby Coaching - Box Kicks
Pitch Demo: Lee Dickson decision making masterclass | Rugby Tonight
Scotland Rugby Greig Laidlaw Highlights
Kyle Eastmond Young Rugby Talent
Pitch Demo: Danny Care gives scrum-half master class | Rugby Tonight
Scrummage - How to play Scrum-half
Scrum-half highlights
Aaron Smith good scrum half play analysed
Scrum Half Workout | Personal Trainer Bangkok | Functional Training
Peter Stringer's scrum-half masterclass | BT Sport
John Mitchell shares valuable rugby coaching tips for scrum half's at a Powerade Performance Session
Wales scrum half goal kicking challenge | WRU TV
Tribute to FRANCOIS HOUGAARD - "The little pocket BATTLESHIP"
Rugby Drill - Passing - Scrum Half
Rugby Coaching - Box Kicks
Pitch Demo: Lee Dickson decision making masterclass | Rugby Tonight
Scotland Rugby Greig Laidlaw Highlights
Kyle Eastmond Young Rugby Talent
Scrumhalf Linebreaks
Who should you play at Scrum Half? | ESPNscrum Fantasy Rugby 2014
Aaron Smith Tribute - "The Boss"
Dummy by Joost van der Westhuizen
Quins scrum-half Karl Dickson as a ref | Rugby Tonight
Harry Ellis Highlights
Reiss Cullen Rugby Highlights 2014-2015
Ben Youngs - Life as a Scrum-half
NRC Variations - Defending half back at scrums
Rhys Webb Rugby World Cup injury: Major blow looms for Wales as ...
Rugby Union Super 15 Wales vs Ireland | 08 08 2015 | Scrum V |
Ollie Bradley (Scrum Half) Oxford Rugby Highlights 2015
Isaiah Lutali (Scrum Half) Belmont Shore Rugby 2015 u18's Summer 7's Tournament
Elliott Lewis - Scrum Half (Rugby CV)
Ethan Searle Scrumhalf CV -UJ Rugby
Ryan De La Harpe Scrum Half Rugby Highlights 2014 to 2015
Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter talks about his recent re-selection and Saturday's Italian job
WIN a scrum-half training session with Ben Youngs Behind the Scenes
Exclusive changing room footage of Scotland scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne getting his first cap.
WIN a scrum-half training session with Ben Youngs
Rugby - Formation des demis - ballon au dessus de la tête
Rugby - Traitement de l'information - Réactivité communication - 5 joueurs - 4 ballons
Rugby - Formation des demis - répétition de passes sur sortie mêlée
Rugby - Formation des demis - passe sur touche
Rugby Player ..scrum half...
Rugby Union Six Nations 2015 Round 1 Wales vs England Full match
1967 Rugby Union match: Monmouthshire v New Zealand All Blacks
Rugby Union New Zealand vs Australia | 15 08 2015 | Bledisloe Cup 2 |
Scrummage - How to play Lock
Scotland V England Six Nations Rugby Union Full Match
A Beginners Guide to Rugby Union Rules
Super Rugby final 2015 full match - Hurricanes vs Highlanders (1st half)
Rugby Union, 2011 Six Nations Ireland vs England.
Rugby Union, Test Match 2002 England vs Australia.
Scrum Clinic Part 1
Ireland vs Wales - 1st Half Rugby | International Test 29 August 2015
1979 Rugby Union match: New Zealand All Blacks vs Argentina Los Pumas (1st Test)
Rugby Union, 1991 Quarterfinal Australia vs Ireland.
Rugby Union, 2011 Test Match Italy vs Russia 1st half.
Edinburgh v Ospreys Full Match RaboDirect Pro12 Round 14
Farnham 1stXV V KCS Old Boys - UNCUT
Rugby Warm Up 08.08.2015 Wales v. Ireland
Asia Rugby Championship 2015 - Korea vs Japan 1st Half
Rugby Union England vs France | 15 08 2015 | QBE International Friendly |
Rugby Test Match- Wales vs New Zealand 2012 Full Game
1968 Rugby Union match: Argentina Los Pumas vs Wales (1st Test) (highlights)