A U.S. view

Press, 19 June 1976, Page 9

A U.S. view

Rugby programme writers in the United States have a delightful way of describing facets of the game. The programme for the bicentennial international tournament in Boston last month provided some impish information for the uninitiated. This is how the field positions were described:PROPS. — With the hooker between them they form the front row of the scrum and are the foundation of a good team. Unfortunately, they are a much maligned trio on account of their sometimes frightening ugliness. Handsome props are not unknown, but the classic type is distinguished by having no neck and a face

like Piltdown man. Standing sft 9in and weighing 240 pounds such men appear to be born (or hewn) at the age of 30 and remain at the same age for 15 years, when they grow old overnight and retire from the game. LOCKS. — The powerhouse pair, usually the tallest and heaviest men in the team, were once recognisable by the inevitably cauliflower ears, but the fashion for wearing scrum caps or tape around the head has reduced the incidence of this feature. In the scrum they are usually hidden in a cloud of steam, but they are prominent in the line-out as they soar to catch the ball. FLANKERS AND NO 8. — Together they form the back row of the scrum, which performs a function like the U.S. Cavalry or Marine Corps in a game — always first to the action with dash and elan. Actually, flank forwards are backfield players in disguise, for they have only a tenuous connection with the scrum and tn modern rugby their role is a glamorous one, for

though their errors are hard to detect, everybody sees their brilliant contributions. HALF-BACKS. — The scrum half is often a diminutive man of great courage who follows at the heels of the forwards Eke a terrier, throwing the ball out when they pro-

duce it. He is as vital as the quarter-back, and comes in for much hostile attention. His partner, the stand-off half, must know him like a blood brother and be able to catch anything he throws to him, before opening out the game by running or kicking. English stand-offs are usually tall and elegant, Welshmen small, dark and elusive, while the French “demi d’ouverture” is spectacularly brilliant (except on wet davs). THREE-QUARTERS. — Centres in the middle, wings on the end, this quartet swings the ball laterally down the line on power plays, providing one of the great thrills of the game. These glamourous people often keep their hair in place throughout a game, but they are much abused by their forwards when they drop the ball. FULL-BACK. — A lonely figure who acts as safety behind tne other 14. He must make the lastditch tackles, catch and kick unerringly, and have lots of cool. He is often the goal-kicker and so is blamed for losing games.