Editing Rugby union (section)

==Teams and positions==
{{Main|Rugby union positions}}
[[File:Rugby Union Formation.svg|thumb|A standard rugby union team formation illustrating each of the positions and their respective numbers]]
Each team starts the match with 15 players on the field and typically seven or eight substitutes but this varies at amateur level.<ref name="Law3">{{cite web |url=http://laws.worldrugby.org/downloads/World_Rugby_Laws_2015_EN.pdf |work=[[World Rugby]] |title=Law 3 Number of Players |access-date=28 September 2015 |page=33 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216025124/http://laws.worldrugby.org/downloads/World_Rugby_Laws_2015_EN.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2015}}</ref> The 15 players on the field are divided into eight [[Rugby union positions#Forwards|forwards]] (two more than in [[rugby league]]) and seven [[Rugby union positions#Backs|backs]].<ref name="IRB BGRU 6">{{cite web|url=https://passport.worldrugby.org/beginners_guide/downloads/Beginners_Guide_2015_EN.pdf|work=[[World Rugby]] |title=A Beginner's Guide to Rugby Union |page=6|access-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406001547/https://passport.worldrugby.org/beginners_guide/downloads/Beginners_Guide_2015_EN.pdf|archive-date=6 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are typically significantly more forwards on the bench than backs with, for example, South Africa having a 7-1 split in favour of forwards in their August 2023 match against New Zealand in Twickenham. A 6-2 or 5-3 split is more common.

===Forwards===
The main responsibilities of the forward players are to gain and retain possession of the ball. Forwards play a vital role in tackling and rucking opposing players.<ref name="talkrugby">{{cite web |url=https://www.talkrugbyunion.co.uk/guides/rugby_union_positions.html |title=Rugby Union Positions |publisher=talkrugbyunion.co.uk |access-date=13 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406195335/http://www.talkrugbyunion.co.uk/guides/rugby_union_positions.html |archive-date=6 April 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Players in these positions are generally bigger and stronger and take part in the [[Scrum (rugby)|scrum]] and line-out.<ref name="talkrugby"/> The forwards are often collectively referred to as the 'pack', especially when in the scrum formation.<ref name="Glossary">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/13710817/rugby-glossary|work=ESPN Scrum|title=Rugby Glossary|access-date=13 August 2011|archive-date=21 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221091715/http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/page/97263.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Front row====
The front row consists of three players: two [[Rugby union positions#Prop|props]] (the loosehead prop and the tighthead prop) and the [[Rugby union positions#Hooker|hooker]]. The role of the two props is to support the hooker during scrums, to provide support for the jumpers during line-outs and to provide strength and power in rucks and mauls. The third position in the front row is the hooker. The hooker is a key position in attacking and defensive play and is responsible for winning the ball in the scrum. Hookers normally throw the ball in at line-outs.<ref name="IRB BGRU 6"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rugbycoaching.net/rugby-coaching/rugby-positions-explained/|title=Rugby Positions Explained|date=27 September 2011|publisher=Rugby Coaching|access-date=30 September 2012|archive-date=3 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403230706/http://rugbycoaching.net/rugby-coaching/rugby-positions-explained/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Second row====
The second row consists of two [[Rugby union positions#Locks|locks]] or lock forwards. Locks are usually the tallest players in the team and specialise as line-out jumpers.<ref name="IRB BGRU 6"/> The main role of the lock in line-outs is to make a standing jump, often supported by the other forwards, to either collect the thrown ball or ensure the ball comes down on their side. Locks also have an important role in the scrum, binding directly behind the three front row players and providing forward drive.<ref name="IRB BGRU 6"/>
[[File:Chabal Rugby Racing vs Stade Toulousain 311009.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sébastien Chabal]] (far left) in number eight position before<br />entering the scrum|alt=Facing right a group of seven men, in blue and white hooped jerseys, bind together and crouch to form a scrum. The eighth player stands behind them observing the off-picture opposition.]]

====Back row====
The back row, not to be confused with 'Backs', is the third and final row of the forward positions, who are often referred to as the loose forwards.<ref name="Glossary"/> The three positions in the back row are the two [[Rugby union positions#Flanker|flankers]] and the [[Rugby union positions#Number eight|number 8]]. The two flanker positions, known as the blindside flanker and openside flanker, are the final row in the scrum. They are usually the most mobile forwards in the game. Their main role is to win possession through 'turn overs'.<ref name="IRB BGRU 6"/> The number 8 packs down between the two locks at the back of the scrum. The role of the number 8 in the scrum is to control the ball after it has been heeled back from the front of the pack, and the position provides a link between the forwards and backs during attacking phases.<ref name="IRB BGRU 7">{{cite web|url=https://passport.worldrugby.org/beginners_guide/downloads/Beginners_Guide_2015_EN.pdf|work=[[World Rugby]] |title=A Beginner's Guide to Rugby Union |page=7|access-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406001547/https://passport.worldrugby.org/beginners_guide/downloads/Beginners_Guide_2015_EN.pdf|archive-date=6 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Backs===
The role of the backs is to create and convert point-scoring opportunities. They are generally smaller, faster and more agile than the forwards.<ref name="talkrugby"/> Another distinction between the backs and the forwards is that the backs are expected to have superior kicking and ball-handling skills, especially the fly-half, scrum-half, and full-back.<ref name="talkrugby"/>

====Half-backs====
The half-backs consist of two positions, the [[Rugby union positions#Scrum-half|scrum-half]] and the [[Rugby union positions#Fly-half|fly-half]], also known in the Southern Hemisphere as half-back and first five-eighth respectively. The fly-half is crucial to a team's game plan, orchestrating the team's performance.<ref name="IRB BGRU 7"/> They are usually the first to receive the ball from the scrum-half following a breakdown, lineout, or scrum, and need to be decisive with what actions to take and be effective at communicating with the outside backs.<ref name="IRB BGRU 7"/> Many fly-halves are also their team's goal kickers. The scrum-half is the link between the forwards and the backs.<ref name="IRB BGRU 7"/> They receive the ball from the lineout and remove the ball from the back of the scrum, usually passing it to the fly-half.<ref name="IRB BGRU 8">{{cite web|url=https://passport.worldrugby.org/beginners_guide/downloads/Beginners_Guide_2015_EN.pdf|work=[[World Rugby]] |title=A Beginner's Guide to Rugby Union |page=8|access-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406001547/https://passport.worldrugby.org/beginners_guide/downloads/Beginners_Guide_2015_EN.pdf|archive-date=6 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> They also feed the scrum and sometimes have to act as a fourth loose forward.<ref>{{Harvnb|Bompa|Claro|2008|p=62}}</ref>

====Three-quarters====
There are four three quarter positions: two [[Rugby union positions#Centre|centres]] (inside and outside) and two [[Rugby union positions#Wing|wings]] (left and right). In the Southern Hemisphere, the inside centre is commonly referred to as the second five-eighth, while the outside centre is simply known as the centre. The centres will attempt to tackle attacking players; whilst in attack, they should employ speed and strength to breach opposition defences.<ref name="IRB BGRU 7"/> The wings are generally positioned on the outside of the backline. Their primary function is to finish off moves and score tries.<ref>{{Harvnb|Brown|Guthrie|Growden|2010}}</ref> Wings are usually the fastest players in the team and are elusive runners who use their speed to avoid tackles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scottish rugby welcomes back Lomu|date=7 January 2006|first=David|last=Ferguson|url=http://sport.scotsman.com/superteams/Scottish-rugby-welcomes-back-Lomu.2740238.jp|newspaper=The Scotsman|access-date=1 September 2011|archive-date=16 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616020648/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/scottish-rugby-welcomes-back-lomu-1-687348|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Full-back====
The [[Rugby union positions#Full-back|full-back]] is normally positioned several metres behind the back line. They often field opposition kicks and are usually the last line of defence should an opponent break through the back line.<ref name="IRB BGRU 7"/> Two of the most important attributes of a good full-back are dependable catching skills and a good kicking game.<ref name = "MacDonald">{{cite book|title=Rugger Practice and Tactics&nbsp;– A Manual of Rugby Football Technique |first=H. F. |last=MacDonald|year=1938|page=97}}</ref>