The Role of Props in Rugby: The Pillars of the Pack
In rugby, the game is often defined by the physical battles between forward packs, and at the heart of this confrontation are the props. These powerful players, typically the heaviest and strongest on the field, play a critical role in the game’s set pieces, particularly the scrum and lineout. But their contribution extends far beyond these areas, as modern props are expected to be dynamic, agile, and involved in all aspects of play. This blog will explore the responsibilities, skill sets, and evolving nature of props in rugby.
Check out our Rugby 101 post here to start with the entire game.
The Basics: Who Are the Props?
In rugby, there are two props in the starting lineup: the loosehead prop (number 1) and the tighthead prop (number 3). They flank the hooker in the front row of the scrum, and together, these three players form the foundation of the team’s scrum. The loosehead is positioned on the left side of the scrum, with their head positioned between the opposing tighthead prop and hooker. The tighthead prop is on the right, directly facing the loosehead prop of the opposition.
The primary job of a prop in traditional terms is to dominate their opposite number in the scrum and ensure the team’s set piece operates smoothly. However, their influence on the game has grown significantly, with modern props expected to contribute across all phases of play.
The Scrum: The Prop’s Domain
The scrum is where props earn their reputation as the powerhouses of the team. In this set piece, two packs of eight players each come together, binding on one another as they push against their opponents to win the ball. Here, the strength and technique of the props are paramount.
- Loosehead Prop (No. 1): The loosehead prop’s main job is to destabilize the opposing tighthead prop by using leverage and positioning to push them upwards or sideways, creating an advantage for their own team. The loosehead needs to get under the tighthead’s body, using their own head and shoulder positioning to force the opposition pack backward.
- Tighthead Prop (No. 3): The tighthead prop has arguably one of the toughest jobs in rugby. They must anchor the scrum, taking the full weight of the opposing loosehead prop and often two additional forwards behind them. A good tighthead needs immense strength and stability to maintain their position and prevent the scrum from collapsing. If the tighthead is overpowered, the entire scrum can be compromised.
Scrummaging requires more than brute strength. Props must have exceptional technique, understanding body angles, timing, and positioning to ensure they can gain dominance over their opponent. The battle in the scrum is often as much mental as it is physical, with props constantly adjusting and countering their opposite number.
Lineouts: Support and Lifting
While the scrum is the prop’s main battleground, they also play an important role in the lineout. During a lineout, the forwards contest for the ball after it is thrown in by the hooker. Props are generally not the players being lifted to catch the ball (this is typically the role of the locks), but they are responsible for lifting and supporting their teammates.
In a lineout, props act as the primary lifters, hoisting the locks or back-row players into the air to contest for possession. This requires not only strength but also precise timing and coordination with their fellow forwards. A good lift can make the difference between securing possession and losing the ball.
Open Play: Modern Props as Ball-Carriers
As rugby has evolved, so too has the role of the prop in open play. In the past, props were mostly confined to set-piece duties and didn’t stray far from the tight exchanges. However, in the modern game, props are expected to be dynamic ball-carriers, effective tacklers, and even playmakers at times.
- Ball Carrying: Props are often called upon to carry the ball into contact, using their size and strength to gain valuable meters. This is especially important in situations where the team needs to break through defensive lines or maintain momentum in close quarters. Props like Mako Vunipola and Tadhg Furlong have become renowned for their ability to make powerful runs, often drawing multiple defenders and creating space for teammates.
- Tackling: Defensively, props need to be strong tacklers, able to stop opposing forwards and backs alike. With rugby becoming increasingly fast-paced, props are expected to cover more ground and be involved in multiple phases of play. Their ability to make solid tackles, particularly around the fringes of the ruck, helps keep the defensive line intact.
- Ruck and Breakdown: Props are also instrumental in the ruck and breakdown phases of the game. After a tackle is made, props are often the first players to arrive at the breakdown, either securing the ball for their team or disrupting the opposition’s ruck. This is a crucial part of maintaining possession and preventing turnovers.
Fitness and Agility: The Modern Prop’s Evolution
The demands placed on props in modern rugby have changed significantly. While props still need to be powerful, they also need to be fit and mobile. The days of the “one-dimensional” prop are long gone. Modern props are required to contribute for the full 80 minutes of a game, often covering as much ground as back-row forwards.
Fitness is now a key attribute for top-level props, with conditioning programs tailored to improve their stamina, agility, and speed. Modern props must be able to participate in open play, sprint short distances, and recover quickly to take part in the next phase of play.
Mental Toughness: The Unsung Skill
Beyond the physical demands, props require immense mental toughness. The nature of the scrum means that props are involved in repeated high-impact collisions throughout a game. Winning these battles requires resilience, concentration, and the ability to outthink opponents, particularly in the scrum where small adjustments in technique can make a huge difference.
Props also need to maintain discipline in high-pressure situations. Penalties in the scrum can result in significant territorial gains or lost opportunities, so the mental aspect of their role is just as critical as the physical.
The Essential Role of Props
Props are the unsung heroes of rugby, working tirelessly in the tight exchanges to provide a platform for the rest of the team. Their contributions in the scrum, lineout, and open play are vital to the success of any side. As rugby continues to evolve, props have embraced new challenges, becoming more dynamic, versatile, and athletic.
In the modern game, a world-class prop is not only a scrummaging powerhouse but also an agile ball-carrier, a fierce tackler, and a player with the stamina to last 80 minutes. Whether they’re driving the scrum forward or making a crucial tackle in open play, props are the pillars upon which rugby teams are built.
Leave a Reply