Please supply me with the positional play for a No8 at the maul,defence,and attack

Rugby CoachCoach

Buddy For me if the player fits the classic 8 in build , speed etc I would be looking at 2+6 covering blind side and 7+8 covering opn. The guards at the ruck would depend on when they arrive. I would have 8 closer and 7 wider. Your 7 would normally be faster and therfore able to get out and attack the opposition back line. In attack he would be the first carrier to offload to the 7 at first contact, allowing the 7 to continue into the opposition backs. Your 8 should be the major ball carrier of the 2 players. If your back row has different dynamics then players classic roles can be varied to suit. e.g I have 2 large locks at U18 who lift my back row in lineouts! The players roles are not set in stone and should be varied to suit the team strengths and group dynamics. I hope this helps!

Rugby CoachCoach

I agree with KR, except that you really would want your loose forwards to be in the outer guard position at the ruck, with a tight 5 player as the inner guard. This wider position is more similar to their defensive role off of the scrum (i.e. going at the back line). Of course, as R says, it depends when they all arrive. Another option is having your tight 5 control defensive rucks mid-field and force your loose forwards to defend all wider rucks, in which case 8 as guard and 7 as outer second guard. In attack, I would keep the 8 on the inner position and the 7 wider...ideally. If one of them has to contend with defensive forwards, you want it to be the 8. This assumes you have a larger 8 and a smaller faster 7.