Nine in the front line

In certain areas of the field, and from a quick ruck ball, you may want your scrum-half to be part of the defensive line. If they are a quick, strong defender, it is better to have them make front-up tackles than sit in the ’boot’ behind the ruck. The two players either side of the ruck, the ’guards’, must protect the ruck so the scrum-half can move to be the extra defender in the line.

Guards and marking the 10

The two players defending either side of the ruck, sometimes known as guards, are key to allowing the scrum-half to defend in the line. They have to ensure that no one beats them on the inside shoulder.

They don’t move across until the opposition 10 has passed the ball - that is, after the second pass. They close the gate on that side of the ruck and do not move on, even if their 9 runs across the field.

After marking the ruck, you need to consider how you are going to mark the pivot player, normally their 10. 

I would consider using a few different methods, depending on your personnel and the length of the opposition scrum-half’s pass.

As a starting point, I would have the second defender in the line, outside the guard, marking the space inside the 10 and taking care of their 9 running across from the base of the ruck. The third in the line nominates and takes 10.

These days, with the increase in the scrum-half’s length of pass, a lot of teams have the fourth defender marking 10 and the third marking the space inside 10. Both of these players cover the attacking options of a switch or inside pass play by the 10.

The distances and spacings between the defenders can depend on who they are and their position. 

For example, a tighthead prop may need to be closer in than, say, an openside flanker, to avoid a mismatch.

Once the players understand their roles, your scrum-half can get into the line, being a mobile and active defender who can close down opposition playmakers.

They aren’t there to make the big tackles on the heavies, though.