The loose forward that packs down at the back of the scrum is called the 'number eight'. Sometimes this position is called 'back rower' or 'last man down'.
There actually IS a scrum half in the Union Code - Playing with number 9 on their back along with the no 10 the fly-half they are jointly the Half Backs In league the scrum half wears 7 with the stand off (- fly half) wearing 6. The numbers start with the loose head prop in union (1) and with the full back in league (1)
This is a Scrum or Scrummage. The scrum half (number nine in Union) throws the ball in to the tunnel formed by the two front rows. To do this the Scrum Half stands adjacent to their open side prop forward. This is the one who has one side of his head (the left side) not in contact with the opposing prop forward. The ball must pass the feet of the open side prop before the ball can be hooked back by a front row player. No hand may touch the ball . The 2 sides endeavour to push the other off the ball so that they can win possession To learn more about rugby rules look on the IRB website - it has a wealth of information.
The is a front row player in the scrum - The hooker whose role is to throw in to line outs and in scrums attempt to"hook" the ball back and win possession
in rugby union the scrum half is the one who passes out of the back of the scrum and rucks and mauls. they can pass the ball very long distances and are usually quite small. to be honest i dont really know as i am a prop so this is a general description. feel free to change this answer(i'm sure you were going to anyway)
At the back of the scrum and roams around the field during general play. Sometimes positioned in the middle of the field
The first player ever to do this was welsh ledgend Jonhathon Davies.
A back row is the last row of seats in a theatre, or the row of players in a rugby scrum, consisting of two flankers and a number eight.
no# 15 is a full back in rugby union
The number 8's task in Rugby Union is; In the scrum - bind on the 2 second rows and push them to support the drive forward, to take channel one ball from the hooker and hold or release to the scum half On breaking from the scum carry the ball and if in a push over try situation actually ground the ball once its at their feet. To attack the opposing flyhalf as a ball carrier (this is usually the weak point). To protect their own scrum half when they collect the ball at the base of the scrum. To retain the ball when a scrum is successfully pushed forward therefore gaining ground. To act as a ball carrier in all phases - tackle in defense Normally a line out jumper and used to "clean up" loose ball at the back of the lineout. Is one of the potential target receivers from kick off Is one of main receivers from opposing teams kick off In Rugby League the number 8 is the equivalent of a prop (RU No 1)
Because they had wing forward now called flankers and then had to distinguish the backs by calling them wing three quarters as the were in the three quarter position i..e Scrum half and Outside haf are called "Half Backs" and the full back is "full back" the centres were classed as three quarter back.
A rugby player can deliberately knock the ball back, but he/she cannot deliberately knock it forward.
1. Fullback 2. Wing 3. Centre 4. Centre 5. Wing 6. Stand-off or Five-Eight (Union=fly-half) 7. Scrum-Half or Halfback 8. Prop 9. Hooker 10. Prop 11&12.Second Row forward (Union=Lock) 13. Loose forward (Union=8th man) League doesnt have flankers