Rugby union formations and positions.
Rugby union is played fifteen a side on a pitch up to 70 metres wide, with 100 metres between the try lines and an in-goal area at each end. A match is two halves of 40 minutes. A try is worth five points, a conversion two, and a penalty goal or drop goal three. World Rugby Laws of the Game apply, administered in England by the RFU.
Rugby union positions.
| Code | Position | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| LH | Loosehead Prop | Forwards |
| HK | Hooker | Forwards |
| TH | Tighthead Prop | Forwards |
| L4 | Lock (4) | Forwards |
| L5 | Lock (5) | Forwards |
| BF | Blindside Flanker | Forwards |
| OF | Openside Flanker | Forwards |
| N8 | Number 8 | Forwards |
| SH | Scrum-half | Backs |
| FH | Fly-half | Backs |
| LW | Left Wing | Backs |
| IC | Inside Centre | Backs |
| OC | Outside Centre | Backs |
| RW | Right Wing | Backs |
| FB | Full-back | Backs |
- Size
- 120 m by 70 m
- Match
- 2 halves of 40 minutes
- Squad
- 15 on the field per side, up to 23 in a matchday squad, no rolling substitutes
- Scoring
- A score is a point; the result is in points.
- Rules
- World Rugby Laws of the Game 2026
Rugby union formations (8).
Attacking scrum, backs to the right
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Receiving a kick-off
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Attacking lineout, left touchline
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Defending a lineout, left touchline
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Defensive scrum, backs to the right
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Phase-play attack (forward pods, backs aligned)
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Defensive line (drift)
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Kick-off chase
Roles, strengths, weaknesses and what to coach
Touch 9s formations (2).
Touch 9s: 2 halves of 20 minutes, 9 on the field per side, rolling substitutes, on a 80 m by 50 m pitch.
Positions: Left Wing (LW), Left Centre (LC), Centre (C), Right Centre (RC), Right Wing (RW), Scrum-half (SH), Fly-half (FH), Inside Centre (IC), Full-back (FB).
Tag 7s formations (2).
Tag 7s: 2 halves of 20 minutes, 7 on the field per side, up to 15 in a matchday squad, rolling substitutes, on a 80 m by 50 m pitch.
Positions: Left Wing (LW), Left Centre (LC), Centre (C), Right Centre (RC), Right Wing (RW), Scrum-half (SH), Full-back (FB).
Pick the shape, drag your players onto it and share the team sheet with parents before the game. The Vanta Club app is free.
