Number 8
Scrum
- Able to maintain a strong, stable body position as an individual/back row/whole scrum whilst exerting and resisting pressure
- Able to move forwards and backwards under control as an individual/back row/whole scrum
- Able to maintain a strong, effective and legal bind with the locks
- Able to channel and control the ball to protect the scrum half from opposition
- Able to pick up the ball from base of scrum and initiate back row attacking options
- Able to deliver the ball quickly to the scrum half if necessary
Lineout
- Able to outmanoeuvre opposition as part of a jumping pod
- Able to jump with support to reach maximum height
- Able to catch effectively in the air
- Able to deliver the ball cleanly to team members
- Able to participate in effective driven lineout should tactics dictate
- Able to recover dropped possession
- Able to provide attacking options round front or rear of lineout (peel)
Kick off
- Able to catch ball cleanly on ground
- Able to jump in the air and catch effectively, with and without support
- Able to deliver the ball effectively
- Able to support jumper in the air to enable effective catch/delivery of ball (if required)
- Able to return jumper to the ground in a safe manner (if required)
- Able to protect jumper in a legal fashion from opposition on landing (if required)
- Able to recover dropped possession
- Able to transfer ball away to team mates
Open play
- Able to carry the ball/gain territory in possession
- Able to make a range of different passes both left and right
- Able to create, identify, communicate, manipulate and exploit space in attack
- Able to recognise, communicate and fill space in defence
- Able to support team members in attack and defence
- Able to make effective side-on, front-on, rear tackles
- Able to select and implement correct decisions during ruck/maul
- Able to anticipate and move to next role from set piece quickly in attack or defence
- Able to act as a link between forwards and backs to maintain continuity of play