THE POSITIONS

Introduction... So you think all rugby players are seven foot tall with shoulders the size of Belgium then? How wrong you are. The beauty of rugby union is that is a game for people of all shapes and all sizes. Whether you are short and stocky or tall and thin, there's a place for you in a rugby side.

Full-back... The modern-day full-back should be the complete rugby player. The number 15 is often the last line of defence or the first player making the break in attack. You need the safest pair of hands in the team. Why? Because you are responsible for catching the opposition's high and testing kicks in attack - and catch them every time. So expect to perform under pressure when the going gets seriously tough. If you can suddenly turn defence into attack, make those important last-ditch tackles and make the extra man in attack, look no further than the full-back.

Wing... If you are the fastest runner in your team, there's only one place for you - the wing. Speed is what the winger is all about - and you need plenty of it. But to be a truly world class winger, you need to pick up those difficult passes in tight spaces. So as well as the speed of a sprinter, you need hands like glue - the ball needs to stick to you every time you get it. But don't think you're only responsibility is in attack. Often the winger can be the last line of defence, so you need to be able to make those important takcles when they count.

Inside Centre... Whether in defence or attack, the inside centre is always in the thick of the action. They offer options for the fly-half in attack, making the breaks and drawing the opposition's defence to make the space for their partner, the outside centre. And the inside centres are also the players dishing out the tackles in defence along with the forwards. Accurate handling and passing skills are a must for any centre, along with a good kicking game. Expect plenty of running as a centre.

Outside centre... If you love making the breaks and leaving the defence in your wake, the outside centre is perfect for you. If you are quick and powerful, there's no better place to be than in the middle of the pitch. They often hit the holes in the opposition's defence and make valuable ground, often offloading to the wingers after drawing the last line of defence. But it's not all about making attacking bursts - they're also the players dishing out the tackles in defence along with the forwards. Accurate handling and passing skills are a must for any centre, along with a good kicking game. Expect plenty of running as a centre.

Fly-half... The brains of the backs - and the whole team. The fly-half is probably the most influential player on the pitch. They are the players who make the big decisions under pressure - run with the ball or kick for territory. So it goes without saying you need brilliant handling skills and a kicking boot bar none, well anyone in your team at least. But the thing above all else every world-class fly-half has is a brilliant rugby brain. You need the ability to break open defences with a clever pass or clear your defensive lines under pressure. But don't think that's everything - you also need to muck in with the tackles. As well as being the best kicker in world rugby, Johnny Wilkinson is also considered the best defensive fly-half around.

Scrum-half... The scrum-half has a huge amount of responsibility resting on their shoulders. They are the link between the backs and the forwards - the players who get things going in defence and attack. is the link between the forwards and the backs. Normally acts as the 'General' for the forwards and is always in the hub of the action. A scrum half is normally quite small but with a high degree of vision and speed off the mark, and pound-for-pound is very strong. They have to able to react to situation very quickly. A key player in any side.

Loosehead prop... A loosehead prop is one of the three players at the front of the scrum. They stand on the left-hand side of the hooker. As they take most of the impact in the scrum, a prop should have plenty of strength in their upper body. This is the area of the body where all the power is created.