Rugby Position Role Simulator
Test Your Rugby Knowledge
How much do you understand the openside flanker role (number 6)? Answer these questions to see if you're a true rugby fan!
What is the primary role of the number 6 position?
When you first watch rugby, the numbers on players’ jerseys seem random. Why does number 6 look so different from number 8? Why does number 6 spend so much time on the ground? If you’ve ever asked, what does 6 mean in rugby, you’re not alone. The answer isn’t just about a jersey number-it’s about a role that shapes the entire game.
The Number 6 Is the Openside Flanker
In rugby union, the number 6 jersey is worn by the openside flanker. This isn’t just a label-it’s a job description. The openside flanker is the most active defender on the pitch. They’re the first to the breakdown, the quickest to steal the ball, and often the player who makes the most tackles in a match. Think of them as the rugby version of a point guard in basketball: always moving, always reading, always reacting.They wear number 6 because of the traditional numbering system in rugby. The forwards are numbered 1 through 8. Number 6 sits on the openside of the scrum-the side with more space between the scrum and the sideline. That’s where they get their name. Their job is to cover that open space, pressure the opposition’s scrum-half, and disrupt passes before they happen.
Why the Number 6 Is So Important
Most people notice the big hits from the locks or the power of the number 8. But the number 6 is the hidden engine. A great openside flanker doesn’t need to score tries. Their value shows up in stats you don’t see: turnovers, tackle success rate, ruck speed, and defensive lineouts.In the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the top three openside flankers in turnovers per match were all wearing number 6. One of them, Sam Cane from New Zealand, averaged 3.2 turnovers per game. That’s not luck. It’s technique. He reads the opposition’s pass, times his dive, and uses his body to pin the ball down before the other team can secure it.
Teams that lose their number 6 often lose control of the game. Without someone fast and smart in that role, the opposition can recycle the ball quickly, create space, and score points before your defense even sets up.
What Makes a Great Number 6
Not every player can play number 6. It takes a rare mix of skills:- Speed and agility - You need to sprint 30 meters, stop on a dime, and change direction while keeping your head up.
- Low body position - To win the ball at the breakdown, you have to get under the opposition’s weight. This isn’t about strength-it’s about leverage and balance.
- Game sense - You have to know where the ball is going before it’s passed. That means watching the scrum-half’s eyes, the fly-half’s footwork, and the winger’s stance.
- Endurance - Number 6 players often cover more ground than anyone else. In a 80-minute match, they can run over 12 kilometers.
There’s no official training program for number 6. Coaches look for players who naturally gravitate toward the breakdown. Kids who always dive in first during school games? They’re often future number 6s.
Number 6 vs Number 7: What’s the Difference?
You might hear people talk about number 6 and number 7 as if they’re the same. They’re not. Number 7 is the blindside flanker. They’re usually bigger, stronger, and play on the tighter side of the scrum-the side closer to the middle of the field.The number 6 (openside) is the hunter. The number 7 (blindside) is the enforcer.
Number 6 goes after loose balls. Number 7 goes after big hits. Number 6 wins turnovers. Number 7 stops drives. You need both. But if you had to pick one to save your team in the final five minutes? Most coaches pick number 6.
What Happens If You Put a Big Forward in Number 6?
Sometimes coaches try to use a powerful forward in the number 6 jersey because they think size equals dominance. It rarely works. A 110kg player can’t move fast enough to cover the open side. They get caught out of position. The opposition’s scrum-half sees them coming and kicks the ball away before they can react.Look at the All Blacks. In the last five years, every openside flanker they’ve used has been under 100kg. Their number 6s are usually 1.85m tall and weigh between 92-98kg. That’s not an accident. It’s science.
Number 6 in Different Rugby Codes
Rugby union uses the number 6 for the openside flanker. But in rugby league? There’s no number 6. The positions are different. In league, number 6 is a middle forward, more like a prop who runs short, hard lines. So if you’re watching league and hear someone say “number 6,” they’re talking about something completely different.That’s why it matters to know the code. A player who plays number 6 in union would be lost in league. And vice versa.
How to Spot a Good Number 6 in Action
Next time you watch a match, focus on the breakdown after every tackle. Who dives in first? Who gets under the pile? Who’s the one that pulls the ball out cleanly? That’s your number 6.They’ll often be covered in mud. They’ll be the first to get up after a tackle. They’ll look exhausted by the 60th minute. And they’ll still be there, at the 78th minute, making one last tackle to win the game.
Why This Matters for Fans and Players
Understanding what number 6 means in rugby changes how you watch the game. You stop just cheering for tries. You start noticing the quiet moments-the ones that win matches. You start to appreciate the player who never gets the highlight reel but makes every other player better.For players, knowing this role helps you find your spot. If you’re fast, tough, and love the chaos of the breakdown, number 6 might be your calling. You don’t need to be the biggest. You just need to be the smartest.
So the next time you see a number 6 jersey, don’t just see a number. See the heartbeat of the team.
Is number 6 the same as flanker?
Yes, number 6 is the openside flanker. The term "flanker" refers to both number 6 and number 7. Number 6 is specifically the openside flanker, while number 7 is the blindside flanker. Both are part of the back row, but they have different roles on the field.
Can a number 6 score tries?
Absolutely. While their main job is defense and turnovers, many modern number 6s are also attacking threats. They often run decoy lines, receive short passes from the scrum-half, and break through tired defenses. Players like Peter O’Mahony and Ardie Savea have scored crucial tries from the number 6 position.
Do number 6 players wear padding?
Yes, but minimally. Number 6 players need mobility, so they typically wear light shoulder pads and sometimes a thin chest guard. Many avoid heavy padding because it slows them down. Their protection comes from technique, not equipment.
What age should someone start playing number 6?
There’s no set age, but most players start learning the role in their late teens. Young players often begin as number 8 or flanker to learn the basics of breakdown play. By 17-18, if they have the speed and awareness, they can move into number 6. Some elite players, like Sam Cane, were playing openside flanker by age 16.
Is number 6 the hardest position in rugby?
It’s one of the most demanding. Number 6 players cover more ground than any other position, make the most tackles, and are involved in nearly every breakdown. They need elite fitness, mental toughness, and game intelligence. While forwards like props take the physical punishment, number 6s take the mental and emotional load. Many coaches say it’s the hardest role to master.
