The Rules of Rugby – A humble Backs view – by Kevin McDonough – Jan 2011
(A version of this feature was published in The Irish Times last September - read that full article by clicking here)

Prologue

My boss rang recently – he has belatedly in life (in his 50s) started going to rugby matches with his new MBA buddies and in true MBA fashion stated “when his buddies shout ‘that’s outrageous ref’ – he wants to know if it is outrageous or not”. He wanted to meet over a coffee for 20 minutes before the Leinster Vs. Saracens game – I explained that it wasn’t that simple and committed to writing a summary of the rules for him – enough to allow him to shout knowledgably at the ref….so here goes…I have also added a piece at the end specific to Skerries RFC…..picking players who I feel best personified each position…please don’t be mad at me if your name doesn’t appear……

Overview

In simple terms the game is all about possession and territory. A famous coach of mine at Skerries RFC (Jonesy) used to start his pre-match speech with the ball in hand – asking what is this – indicating colourfully that while we have it they can’t score (pointing to the opposition dressing room). He also famously wouldn’t let any one run the ball in our own half – get it down the field – we will play the rugby in their 22. He was broadly right – win the ball, get down near their line, then do your fancy moves or maul it over the line with brute force (if you have that).

Where rugby has changed in the recent decade is the possession retention – in the old days Jonesy’s approach was the main way to gain ground – out-half kicks the ball to touch to gain 30 yards – we fight at the lineout to win possession – if we win it the out-half puts in an up and under and our backs chase it up and so on….only occasionally would we pass it out along the line to the full back / winger.

Nowadays we try to hold on to possession at all costs – we only kick tactically with a view to winning the ball back straight away (hence lots of up and unders and good follow up) or a big boot down the pitch (but not into touch) to allow the opposition to run back but now much further down the park. The basic aspects of scrum, lineout (now that lifting is legal), back moves, tackling (although more ferocious) are all the same as before – the main difference is the intensity levels and the speed of the game.

Main characters in Rugby – The Coach

Before we look at the positions on the field, let’s say a word about the unsung heroes – coaches, managers, bag-men – in Junior Rugby these roles usually all fulfilled by the one person. These people take on the unenviable challenge of getting 15 sort of fit bodies on to the pitch each week, in the full knowledge that that in itself is an achievement. Tactics, strategy, game-plans are all very well but No. 1 priority for the Junior Coach is numbers in the dressing-room before the 3pm kick-off. It is only at this point that the coach’s philosophy can be unleashed on them – it is only at this last minute that the Coach actually knows what his team will be and in what positions the assembled players will line out. It is to their eternal credit that Junior Rugby Coaches stick with it week in, week out - they are truly the champions of the game.

Backs - Main characters

• Scrum-half – think Napolean, this guy gets to marshal the forwards and give them hell when they are not securing clean possession. He is the link between forwards and backs and is the only back who has any idea what the forwards are up to.
• Out-half – this guy is usually your most skilful player as he has to possess all the required skills – running, kicking, slight of hand, speed of thought and movement – spends the whole game being charged at by opposition back row.
• Centres – hard men who really want to be forwards, not fast enough for the wing, not deft enough for the half backs, these guys will run through brick walls for you and will tackle feriously – have been known to make inside and outside breaks, but mostly they operate in a very tight space.
• Wingers – glamour boys, don’t like to get their gear dirty, usually the fastest men on the pitch, can jink and swerve, often get frustrated with lack of ball and will occasionally pop up in the centre or between the half backs (anything to get a sniff of the ball)
• Full back – most reliable chap on the team, quietly goes about his job without fuss, most visible player if he makes a mistake so needs supreme (inner) confidence, lots of flexibility in terms of where he can pop up and spends most of the game (i) figuring out where to position himself and (ii) observing the other players and the crowd – us full backs call that reading the game.

Basic Rules of the Game for Backs

1. Can kick direct to touch from own 22, except where you have run back into the 22 or ball was passed back to you. In latter two cases lineout will be brought back to the point from where you kicked it (refer Grand Slam 2009 – last 5 mins – Stephen Jones kicked straight to touch allowing Ireland to take lineout in Wales 22, leading to famous O’Gara drop goal)..
2. Catch and Mark – usually fullbacks – any player can make a clean catch in his own 22, shouting ‘Mark’ – play will stop and player can take a free kick (either kick to touch or tap and run) – opposition not supposed to tackle the guy after the mark but as an old full back my experience is they clean you out of it anyway on basis that they were already committed (these animals should be committed).
3. Tackling – tackled player must release the ball immediately (although he can offload on the way down or place the ball behind him if he does it quickly). The tackler must release the tackled player also immediately, to allow him to release the ball. Both must get on their feet before they can touch the ball again. A lot of penalties given in this area – how long is immediately – what if other players jump in or you were double tackled – often players holds on to long or tackler holds on to player too long.
4. Immediate aftermath of tackle situation – next guys up have to be careful – you cannot come in from the side – you must join in from your own side. You must try and stay on your feet – often players fall over or are driven over the top by their own players (in Munster they pull you over to get the penalty). Lots of penalties given here for diving over the top, coming in form the side and lots none of us actually understand.
5. Basic stuff like forward pass and knock on (scrum to opposition), being in front of the kicker and not retreating 10 yards (making it obvious to the ref) results in penalty, high tackles etc. Old values of abusing the ref, using foul language, shouting too loud, not being the captain and asking the ref why he gave a penalty – all result in moving the penalty forward 10 yards (remember this is a gentleman’s game).
6. Crossing – backs with their fancy moves often have decoy runners – sometimes one of your own players runs in front of you, blocking the tackler from getting full access to clean you out of it – results in penalty.
7. Dead ball area – if player kicks it dead (over the end dead ball line) – equivalent to banned pass back to goal keeper in soccer – results in scrum back where he kicked it from. Quick throw ins – a back can take a quick throw in after he fields a long kick to him as long as nobody else (spectator etc.) has touched the ball. New rule - quick throw in can be thrown backwards to another player – does not need to be straight as it does in conventional line-out.

Now the Forwards

No idea – they are brainless, haven’t a clue what they are doing, can’t remember the line out calls, won’t pass, can’t catch, have two left feet – generally all beef and no brains….should be done away with……Ok, only joking….will try to interpret what is going on as they try to kill each other in the forward’s battle ‘up front’…..

Forwards - Main characters

• The front five – the engine room – biggest guys on the team – do not pick a fight with one of these guys. Main job is to secure possession in scrums, line-outs and at re-starts. Usually, strong characters, full of fun – in old days would always be farmers (big strong lads), can eat and drink anyone off and under the table,,,…the building block of any team.
• Within the front five you have the front row – 2 props and a hooker – the nuances of the Front Row Club are kept secret by its members and are beyond most people to understand (including most Refs)…..as most of their work is done buried under bodies and in secret they seem to spend most of their time getting away with stuff and looking very innocent……only really tough guys need apply for these positions….tough as nails they are increasingly more mobile and get around the park a lot more these days (although hookers were always mobile!)
• Back row – the glamour end of the forwards – occasionally interact with some backs and occasionally demonstrate some skill – usually the bravest on the team as they put their bodies, heads, hands in places that one shouldn’t really go – terrorise the opposition’s backs by spending the whole match threatening to take their heads off (the threat is usually enough to put any back off his game)…usually first guys on the scene at any breakdown….and will always support the backs when a break is made….if anyone is sin-binned in the backs these guys go out to fill in for 10 minutes (and we appreciate that but it takes the full 10 minutes to explain them what to do….)

Basic Rules for Forwards

1. Scrum - takes a long time to set up - crouch, touch, hold, engage - all very tedious as it collapses for the 5th time. Main problem is Ref hasn't a clue what is going on - often penalises each prop in turn to keep them all on their toes. Personally would let fronts rows just get on with it and they will come to their own arrangements - as they used to always do (Front Row Club).
2. Lineout - lifting now allowed since maybe 10 years ago - all looks terribly complicated with forwards changing positions at last minute - all works off special calls so you know where the ball is going and opposition have to guess - problem is our hooker or our jumpers or our lifters can't always remember…. is it odd numbers for No. 2 (at front) or even numbers for No. 4 (middle) or Orange ball is the peel off the back......need I go on. Leo Cullen is best exponent of running a lineout - John Hayes best lifter. Sometimes can get shortened to 2 or 4 man lineout but rarely does this work. Connaught famously put 13 men into a lineout near opponents line and scored...opposition seriously confused and unsure what how to defend.
3. Ruck / Maul - most difficult area to police - you can't bring down a maul (I believe) - that is as players are standing on their feet and moving you cannot collapse it - a ruck is more akin to a scrap for a sixpence on the ground when you were a kid - no rules, arms and legs everywhere...just get that fecking ball and kill anyone in your way.
4. Rolling Maul - usually off a lineout - V formation, hooker at the back with the ball - Munster were great exponents of this, less so now - brilliant when done well and impossible to stop once it gets rolling.
5. Kick offs, drop outs - must be behind the kicker - forwards usually charge up into opposing forwards to try to retrieve the kick - usually ends up somebody injuring themselves.
6. Pick and go - a lot of time spent doing this (inches not yards are gained) - idea seems to be to wear down the opposition - very exciting when near the try line, otherwise takes up a lot of energy for very little gain - often used to run down the clock with a few minutes to go....

In summary, as I have oft stated, forwards are a rare breed - they don't trust the backs to the extent that they refuse to give them the ball unless they need a rest. Lately they expect backs to do all the hard graft stuff (rucking, barging through fellas bigger than you etc.) without giving them the respect when they do this. Best avoided during the match and for at least 2 hours after the match (while they patch themselves up after battle).

Skerries RFC bit - Coaches

I would like to personally thank my own coaches down through the years as it is from them that I learned the rules, all the nuances of the game and how it should be played.

• Family – my Dad (Kevin Senior) and my older brother (Nicky)
• Formative years – Matt Connolly (2 finals of Community Games), Tom Ryan, Bill Mulcahy Gerry Carron and the late Gerry McCarthy (great trip to Paris with U17s assisted by the great Barry Rafferty, Joe Grimes and Leo Flanagan)
• Schools rugby – Aidan Sherlock – several finals and first round qualification for Leinster Senior Cup
• U19’s (3 seasons) – Tim Hegarty, Paul Ding Dong Denny (as his captain there was the daily phone calls from Ding Dong)
• Junior Rugby – Gerry McCleery (many cup runs on the J2s), Ray Moran (semi-final with J5s), Jonesy & Eric Leonard (famous J2 cup and league runs, mostly as a sub I have to say but interesting none the less), Kevin Dempsey / Paddy McCleery – occasional run outs on the J1s.
• In UCD RFC, Hugh Byrne and David Jones – also John McClean, Director of Rugby for letting an aging rugby player play with the students and being discreet about it.
• In Hong Kong, Robert McCullum, Kowloon RFC and some Irish guy who let me play on an Irish overseas team against a Welsh overseas team, in front of 20,000 people in Happy Valley stadium.
• If I have left anyone out I apologise now unreservedly.

SRFC bit – Players

Players who I played with or saw who best personify the above characteristics (if you are not on my list it is probably because I didn’t play with you or see you play……)

1. Scrum-Half – played here myself during my early years so can speak with some authority. When starting out in senior ranks was rated 6th scrum half at a time when SRFC fielded six teams. Barry O’Loughlen, Titch Carron, Mark Ryan (schools rugby) all impressed me – of course Nicky (the brother) was impressive in his day too – if I had to pick one player that demonstrated the characteristics best it would be Dimmer (Kevin Dempsey) – a poacher who took no nonsense from his forwards (or the ref).
2. Out-half – played here a little also – main players I played with were Michael Bash Branagan, Tom McDonald, both very skilful….ones after my own heart were Ian Carron and Martin Lennox, who ran everything…….ones I would have seen – Gerry O’Hara (from Dundalk), Paddy McCleery who you could have on any team……..but my nomination goes to CelsiusToye, who I saw win a Towns Cup for SRFC all on his own and who could kick from one end of the pitch to the other….not to mention his signing / musical talents.
3. Centres – also spent a bit of time here – many exponents of the art have graced SRFC - Tim Hegarty, Derek O’Leary, Brian Walsh, Gerry Carron, Robert McAuley, David Jenkinson – down in the lower ranks then Tom Connell, TJ Jones, - this is a hard one for me to pick but when push comes to shove I will go with one brick wall (Robert McAuley) and one creative type (Gerry Carron).
4. Wingers – OK, played here too, but usually only filling in – requires speed, deftness, quick feet – again many examples including Ding Dong, Mick Ahern, Louis Carron, Turbo (Ian McGloughlin), Greg Primrose (Kiwi)– but I am going to go with Declan McCabe and Ding Dong (for his intercepts).
5. Full back – probably my own best position and certainly the one I love the most – on basis I can’t pick myself!! – the ones I always admired were Nick Heeney (who taught me how to catch a ball just before a schools match, haven’t dropped one since), Joe Montgomery, Jim Rogan (before he started running backwards), Martin Sparky Clarke, Keith Downey, Willie Jenkinson – but my vote has to go to Colm Sherlock for sheer steadiness and inner confidence – the guy you would want as the last line of defence and under the high ball.
6. Props – am in dodgy territory here – Terry Woods and Mark Burke always struck me as modern props who could run and carry as well – but going back I will have to pick Sean Thornton and Paddy O’Shea.
7. Hooker – no contest – my school pal and friend Billy Mulcahy – but hookers always impressed me for their mobility and sheer guts – including Mark (Mushroom) O’Connor, Barry O’Reilly, Jimmy Mcirl, Mick Murphy, Nicky Carroll (who also kept my first car alive a lot longer than was financially viable!!).
8. Second row – again dodgy territory for me other than knowing if they could win their line-outs or not – but I appreciate they do way more than this – my own Dad played here and got 2 caps for Leinster (Junior) team – but I never saw him actually play – Jim Glennon’s exploits are well documented, Mick Kumnig was always honest – however I am going to plum for Peter Quirke (who I ended up playing with on the famous J5 cup run under Ray Moran) and Robbie Amerlyk who I also played with in the twilight of his career (who my Dad told me once marked a ball under the posts while on his way back from an earlier ruck).
9. Wing forwards – hard men all – Kevin Devlin, Rory Mc Donough, Nicky, Rock McMahon, Conor McNally, John Murphy, Dean Brassington (Kiwi), Maxi McCarthy (for his deep understanding of the off-side rule and for travelling from Donegal every Friday during the J5 cup run), Colm (the Hatchet) (Ducko) McDonough – but I am going to go with Copey and Dosser – master exponents of the art of being everywhere.
10. No. 8 – no contest – Ginty.
11. so here is my team……….

1. Paddy O'Shea
2. Billy Mulcahy
3. Sean Thornton
4. Peter Quirke
5. Robbie Amerlyk
6. Cathal Copeland
7. David O'Sullivan
8. Shay McGuinness
9. Kevin Dempsey
10. Celsius Toye
11. Paul Denny
12. Gerry Carron
13. Robert McAuley
14. Declan McCabe
15. Colm Sherlock

Kevin McDonough – Jan 2011