Martin's Rugby Coaching Forum

I've just started playing in the position of #8. Would you be able to point me in the right direction:

a description of the position
#8 moves from the scrum (blind & open)
general play..where should the number 8 be.


I'm a bit of a novice.

The no.8 position gives you lots of opportunities to develop your play! You have two tasks:

Defensive: after defending the set play, go for a position between the backline and your full back making an extra line of defence or go for a position as extra first line defender (discuss this with your coach and teammates)

Attack: support the ball carrier on his inside, the support runners in my team have to loop round to receive the ball as an extra attacker on the open side. They are the fail save option on the inside. Do not 'overrun' the ball carrier to early,

Look for backrow moves from videos's. Have a look on the functional roles part of this website.

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Martin, Rugbyhead

The defensive role of the no.8 is defending next to the maul/ruck, be part of the defensive line - rugby league style. Less running (horizontally) across the pitch.

Good luck, some of the rugby greats were no.8's

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Geoff