Watch any rugby match, and you’ll notice a certain type of player who never seems to rest. They tackle. They win the ball on the ground. They pop up to carry, then sprint to the next breakdown. That player is almost always a flanker. The flanker in rugby covers more ground and hits more contacts than nearly anyone else on the field.
If you’re new to the sport, coaching a youth team, or switching over from football or wrestling, this position guide will make things clear. You’ll learn what a flanker does, the difference between the blindside (No. 6) and openside (No. 7), and what it takes physically to play the role well. By the end, you’ll understand why many people call it the game’s toughest job, and you’ll spot the best flankers the moment they touch the ball.
Key Takeaways
- A flanker in rugby is a forward who plays in the back row of the scrum and covers more ground than almost any other player, specialising in tackling, winning possession, and supporting ball carriers.
- The two flanker positions—blindside (No. 6) and openside (No. 7)—have distinct roles: the blindside focuses on power and short-side defence, while the openside prioritises speed, breakdown contests, and forcing turnovers.
- Elite flankers must combine speed, strength, endurance, aggression, and game intelligence, with top players squatting around 1.6x their body weight and maintaining cardiovascular fitness of 3km in roughly 11 minutes and 45 seconds.
- The blindside flanker is typically bigger and heavier (105–110 kg), while the openside is lighter and more agile to cover more field and reach breakdowns first.
- At the breakdown and in open play, flankers never stop working—they secure the ball on defence, carry and link play on offence, and make tackle after tackle for the full 80 minutes.
- Watch how flankers move without the ball to truly understand their impact, as the work between the whistles separates good flankers from great ones.
What Is a Flanker in Rugby?
A flanker in rugby union is a forward who plays in the back row of the scrum. Every XV-a-side team fields two flankers. Their main jobs are tackling, winning possession at the breakdown, supporting ball carriers, and linking the forwards with the backs.
The name comes from where they stand. Flankers bind onto the sides, or flanks, of the scrum, one on each edge. From there, they detach quickly to chase the ball.
Rugby splits the two flankers into two types: the blindside flanker and the openside flanker. Both compete fiercely in rucks and mauls, and both usually top the team’s tackle count each match.
Here’s the simple picture. Flankers are the fastest forwards on the pitch. They protect the ball when teammates get tackled, and they stop the opposition from stealing it. On attack, they carry, receive passes, and clean out rucks. If a play is happening, a flanker is almost certainly nearby.
Where the Flanker Lines Up and What Number They Wear
Flankers stand on either side of the scrum. Together with the number eight, they form the back row, the three players loosely bound at the rear of the scrum. Because of that loose bind, people sometimes call all three the “loose forwards”.
Jersey numbers are easy to remember in most of the world:
- No. 6 = blindside flanker
- No. 7 = openside flanker
- No. 8 = number eight
South Africa flips the flanker numbers. There, the openside often wears 6, and the blindside wears 7. So if you watch the Springboks and the numbers look swapped, that’s why.
You may also hear a few old-school names. Before the game turned professional, flankers were called breakaways. Watch vintage highlights, and you might hear “blindside breakaway”. Commentators also shorten the position to “flanks”. All of these mean the same thing.
Blindside Flanker (No. 6): Role and Responsibilities
The blindside flanker covers the narrow side of the scrum, the short gap between the scrum and the nearest touchline. That’s the “blind” side, and it’s where the position gets its name.
Defensively, the No. 6 shuts down attacks on the short side. That includes number eight pick-and-goes, scrum-half snipes, and moves to the blind-side winger. When the ball comes out of the scrum on the short side, the blind side is the first line of defence. Their goal is simple: stop the opposition before they cross the gain line.
The blindside is usually the more physical of the two flankers. They bring size and power. In the modern game, they’re also expected to carry the ball and punch holes in the defence. Even when they don’t break through, a good blindside forces two defenders to bring them down. That draws attention and opens space for teammates.
Big hits, dominant tackles, ball carries, and lineout work – that’s the blindside’s daily job.
Openside Flanker (No. 7): Role and Responsibilities
The openside flanker covers the open side of the field, the wider space away from the touchline. That side has more room, so the No. 7 has more ground to cover.
The openside is the breakdown specialist. Their number one aim is to arrive first at the ruck, contest the ball, and force turnovers. A great openside steals possession over and over, killing the opposition’s momentum and giving their own team quick ball.
This player is usually faster and more mobile than the blindside. They spring up from tackles, sprint into new defensive positions, and pop up in attack as a support runner. Link work is a big part of the job, the openside connects the forwards and backs on the move.
If you want to play openside, work on your fitness above everything else. A top No. 7 runs all day, hits ruck after ruck, and never takes a playoff. Speed, agility, and a nose for the ball define the role.
Blindside vs. Openside: Key Differences Explained
Having a specialist openside and a specialist blindside is a fairly modern idea. For years, both were just “flankers”. But the two roles now pull in slightly different directions.
The biggest difference is the ground covered. The open side covers more of the field and gets to more breakdowns. The blindside patrols the short side and brings more collision power.
Here’s a quick side-by-side:
| Trait | Blindside (No. 6) | Openside (No. 7) |
| Focus | Power, collisions, lineouts | Speed, breakdown, turnovers |
| Size | Bigger and heavier | Lighter and more agile |
| Main job | Dominant tackles and carries | Winning the ball on the ground |
| Field side | Narrow (touchline) side | Open (wider) side |
Opensides are usually the lighter of the two because they cover so much ground. Blindsides bring the bulk. Heavier bodies tire earlier, though, which is one reason a balanced reserve bench matters so much in the modern game.
The Flanker’s Job in Scrums, Lineouts, and Open Play
Flankers work across all three phases. Their duties change with each set piece.
In the scrum, flankers don’t push as hard as the front five. Their job is to keep the scrum tight, then detach the moment the ball is available. The blindside stops any move on the short side, so speed off the mark matters. Leave the scrum late, and you’ll miss the tackle.
At the lineout, flankers add options. The blindside often acts as a third jumper behind the two locks. Because of their size and spring, they create a real threat in the air. They also lift the locks. To do this well, a flanker needs an explosive jump, safe hands, and the strength to hoist a teammate.
In open play, flankers never stop. On defence, they watch the fringes of scrums and rucks and make tackle after tackle. On attack, they carry, fend off tacklers, and race to the breakdown first to secure the ball. A flanker also plays a key supporting role in creating a try in rugby by providing quick ball at the breakdown, running support lines, and clearing defenders so teammates can cross the try line. Counter-rudding and cover defence round out the role.
What It Takes to Be a Great Flanker
Great flankers blend speed, strength, endurance, aggression, and game smarts. No single trait carries the position. You need the full mix.
Start with work rate. A flanker keeps going for the full 80 minutes, hitting rucks and making tackles without dropping off. Then add the reading of the game. The best flankers see the next breakdown before it forms and get there first.
Upper body strength is a must because of how many rucks you hit. So is courage, you’re throwing your body into contact again and again. The mindset matters too. Good flankers are aggressive, competitive, and genuinely enjoy the physical side of the game.
At the elite level, top blind-side flankers can:
- Squat around 1.6x their body weight
- Bench press around 1.3x their body weight
- Run 3 km in about 11 minutes and 45 seconds
- Sprint 40m in under 5.3 seconds
Those numbers show the balance: brute strength paired with real running fitness.
Ideal Size, Physique, and Athletic Build
Modern flankers use size at the lineout, so they tend to be among the tallest players outside the second row. At the top level, the average blindside stands around 1.92m (6ft 4in). The average openside is slightly shorter at about 1.89 m (6 ft 3 in).
Weight follows a similar pattern. Elite blindsides weigh roughly 105 kg to 110 kg (242 to 253 lbs). Opensides sit a touch lighter to keep their speed. Both need muscle for tackling, lifting, and wrestling for the ball, but they balance that bulk with mobility and acceleration.
You don’t need these exact measurements to play club rugby. Plenty of great flankers are shorter or lighter. But the numbers show how big, strong, and fast international players in this position have to be.
Notable Flankers to Watch
The best way to learn the position is to watch the greats. A few names come up again and again when fans talk about the finest flankers ever.
Richie McCaw (New Zealand) is often ranked the greatest openside of all time. He mastered the breakdown and captained the All Blacks to two World Cups. George Smith (Australia) was a turnover machine for well over a decade. David Pocock and Michael Hooper carried that Wallaby tradition forward, both winning a ball on the ground at an elite level. James Haskell brought size and aggression as a blindside for England.
The women’s game has stars worth studying, too. In England’s squad, Zoe Aldcroft anchors the blind side, while Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati are tireless opensides with real skill in the loose. Kabeya has scored some memorable tries in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
Watch how these players move without the ball. The work between the whistles is what separates good flankers from great ones.
Conclusion
The flanker in rugby sits at the heart of everything. The blindside (No. 6) brings power, big tackles, and lineout height. The openside (No. 7) brings speed, breakdown skill, and turnovers. Together they win the ball, stop the opposition, and connect the team.
If you want to play the position, focus on fitness first, then contact strength and game reading. If you’re just learning to watch and track the No. 6 and No. 7 across a full match, you’ll see the game through fresh eyes. Either way, you now know why the flanker earns its reputation as the toughest job on the field.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flankers in Rugby
What is a flanker in rugby, and what do they do?
A flanker is a forward in the back row of the scrum whose main jobs are tackling, winning possession at the breakdown, supporting ball carriers, and linking forwards with backs. Each team fields two flankers who are typically among the fastest forwards and top tacklers on the field.
What’s the difference between a blindside and an openside flanker?
The blindside flanker (No. 6) is typically bigger and more physical, focusing on power and collisions on the narrow side of the field. The openside flanker (No. 7) is usually faster and more agile, specialising in breakdown work and forcing turnovers on the open side.
Why do flankers wear numbers 6 and 7?
Flankers wear numbers based on their position in the scrum. The blind-side flanker wears No. 6, and the openside wears No. 7 in most countries. South Africa reverses this convention, with the openside wearing 6 and the blindside wearing 7.
What physical attributes do elite flankers need?
Top flankers blend speed, strength, endurance, aggression, and game intelligence. Elite blindside flankers typically weigh 105–110 kg (242–253 lbs), stand around 1.92m tall, and can squat 1.6x their body weight while maintaining high aerobic fitness for 80-minute matches.
How do flankers contribute at lineouts?
Flankers often serve as additional jumpers or lifters at lineouts, creating extra options when contesting possession. Their size, explosive jump, safe hands, and lifting strength allow them to threaten in the air and support the two locks.
What is the most important skill for a flanker to develop?
Fitness is the most crucial skill for flankers. They must run continuously for 80 minutes, hitting ruck after ruck and making tackles without dropping off. Superior conditioning allows them to cover more ground than nearly any other forward.
