Originally Rugby. A player who plays in the defensive position closest to the goal being defended; the position of such a player.

Rugby. A player who specializes in taking goal kicks (sense 1a); = goalkicker, n. 2. Cf. place-kick, n. 2. Now rare.

(a) New Zealand = number eight n. (b) at number, n. compounds 3d; (b) Rugby Union = number eight n. (a) at number, n. compounds 3d.

spec. Rugby and (occasionally) American Football. A player who specializes in taking goal kicks (goal kick, n. 1a). Cf. place-kicker, n., kicker, n.…

in Rugby Football (also in Hockey), one of two, three, or four players stationed between the half-backs and the full-backs.

A rugby player, as opposed to an Association Football player. Frequently contrasted with dribbler. Cf. handling, n.1 compounds 2. Now rare.

three-quarter (plural three-quarters), in Rugby Football, short for three-quarter back n. at compounds.

Rugby. A player who heels the ball out of the back of a scrum or ruck; = hooker, n.1 6a. Cf. heel, v.3 9a. Now rare.

the half back responsible for putting the ball into the scrum, and for delivering the ball to the backline; the position of this player.

Originally New Zealand. Also lock forward. (a) Rugby Union either of a pair of forwards who form the middle of a scrum, behind the front row…

Rugby. Designating a halfback who forms a link between the scrum half and the three-quarters, or the position on the pitch of this player. Cf. fly…

one of two players stationed between the scrum-half and the centre three-quarter.

Rugby. A player in the centre of the front row of the scrummage on either side who endeavours to obtain the ball by hooking it. Cf. hook, v. 8e.

threes, short for three per cent stock, or three per cents n. at three per cent, n. (so three-and-a-halfs); for three-quarter-backs (in Football)…

Football. (a) flying man, in the Eton field game (see quot. 1898); (b) flying half, flying man, earlier terms for fly-half (see fly, n.2 compounds 2).

(the position of) the prop forward in the front row of a scrum closest to the scrum half as the ball is put into the scrum; cf. tight head n. at tight…

Rugby. Short for standoff half n.

the half-back who stands off from the scrum-half; = stand-off half.

Football. = fly-half n. at compounds 2.

= scrum half n. at scrum, n. compounds 2.

= fly-half n. at fly, n.2 compounds 2.

Rugby. The half back responsible for putting the ball into the scrum, and for delivering the ball to the backline; = scrum half n. at compounds 2. Obs…

the centre playing immediately outside the half-backs.

a wing forward; so flank, used absol.,

Rugby. = fly-half n. at fly, n.2 compounds 2.

Rugby. Either of two outside front-row forwards who support the hooker in a scrum.

= sense 1f.

(a) Rugby Union the player in the back row of a scrum, behind the lock forwards; this position; (b) New Zealand standard 4mm gauge wire, originally…

One posted or stationed on either flank. = flank forward n. at flank, n.1 compounds 2. Also in American and Canadian football (see quot. 1961).

(the position of) the prop forward supporting the hooker on the opposite side of the scrum from the loose head; to win a tight head: to win the ball…

a player in the back row of the scrum (see sense 1f).

a second-row forward.

In various games: The player who is to ‘strike’; occasionally the player who has made a stroke. In Association Football and Hockey, a forward…

Rugby (chiefly Rugby League). A player who plays in the pack; a forward.