The prop(s) should be extremely strong, relish the contact situations and have the mental toughness which makes opponents realise they will never be beaten.

GENERAL.

• Loose Head. the player who wears number 1, packs on the left-hand side of the front row in the scrum. He must be able to resist force from opposition and provide a stable platform for the hooker
• Tight Head. the player who wears number 3, packs on the right-hand side of the front row in the scrum. He must be able to hold a strong, square position on their own ball and be able threaten the opposition ball.

The prop(s) should be extremely strong, thrive on one-to-one, front row contact; short and strong neck is preferable; broad shoulders; strong arms, and thigh and a strong back. In the modern game, props play a full role once the scrum/line-out is over. In attack, the prop must be a capable ball handler and must be able to contribute fully in defence as a tackler.

SCRUM. The props main priority at scrum is to provide a solid platform to help his hooker win good quality ball. This needs strength and technique. Ideally the prop must maintain a strong position which allows them to transmit the force of those exerting power behind and make life difficult for the opposition scrum. Props must engage the opposition from a crouch position using the following sequence: crouch, engage. Specifically:

PLAT BETWEEN SET PIECES. A prop now needs to be a ball handler, ball winner, ball retainer, support player and a defender. In contact they must

• remain on their feet, keep the ball and resist the opposition.
• drive dynamically at rucks and mauls with a good body position
• at kick-offs they must move quickly to any player who is about to catch the ball and to help secure it
• Props will need to enter contact situations and wrestle for the ball
• Props must tackle and contribute to the team's tackle count
• Understand what they are trying to achieve from all areas of play

CONTINUITY/OPEN PLAY. The Props must be aware of "what happens next" and must be able to read the game

TECHNIQUE AND SKILL. The majority of the Prop's game is played in close contact and practices should be organised to perform skills under these conditions

• Scrummaging, both on the machine and against opposition to include:
  • own ball and opposition ball
  • 8 man shove
  • wheeling and counteracting the wheel
• Shortened and full line-out practices, opposed and unopposed to include the prop
  • lifting and supporting jumpers
  • sweeping from tapped ball
  • peeling from tapped ball, front and back
  • jumping to catch/deflect at front
• Maul and ruck practices should be organised
  • as unopposed, semi-opposed and opposed from pairs
  • in varying positions on the field
  • so that maul/ruck is approached from front, side and rear
  • so that all roles of the prop in the build up of a maul/ruck are covered i.e. as ball carrier through to acting as flanker or occasional as a substitute back when the ball is in own or opposition possession.
• and so that the maul develops from
  • falling on or picking up the ball
  • dispossessing an opponent by turning, tipping, pulling, levering, use of body weight, etc.
  • own ball from held player, lineout, kick offs, etc.
• and so that the maul develops to
  • a feed to the scrum-half
  • a rolling off situation
  • a ruck
• also so that the ruck develops from
  • the ball on the ground - loose or in a tackle
  • the ball in the hand
• Tackling practices should include situations
  • in confined areas such as line-out or side of ruck/maul
  • in varying positions on the field including close to own line
  • involving short penalty moves
  • which require player to choose the correct tackle

   

Key Strengths

• Individual
  • Comfortable with contact
  • Has overall strength, but particularly in the shoulders, chest,back and legs
• Scrum
  • Provides a solid platform for the hooker to win the ball
  • Loose-Head Resists the force from opponents
  • Tight-Head Holds a strong, square position
• Line-Out
  • Supports the jumper in the jump-and-catch sequence
  • Quickly closes off any gaps
  • Protects the ball
  • Sometimes acts as a sweeper, the player who gathers up any loose balls
  • Occasionally acts as a forward, peeling around the back of the line-out
  • On opposition's throw:
  • Drives through any gaps and tried to win back ball
• Loose
  • Contributes to the attacking and defending sequences of the team
  • Stays on feet in contact
  • Maintains a good body position in rucks and mauls
  • Drives dynamically into contact
  • Moves quickly to support the ball carrier, particularly at kick-off