Special Sub-Topic: You Know Rugby Union Terms? Click Here To Play: You Know Rugby Union Terms?

The referee stops play because a player was in touch. What did the referee spot?

A player holding the ball had stepped over the sideline. The touch-lines mark the lateral boundaries of the playing surface. If the ball crosses the line or a player holding the ball touches or crosses the line with any part of his body, then play is stopped as the ball is deemed out of play or 'in touch'. Play restarts with a line-out, the opposing team is given the throw. Usually the referee relies on the touch judge (linesman) to indicate whether the ball and/or the man has gone into touch.

Which of these four rugby union terms is not a way to either start or restart play?

Knock-on. A knock-on is a transgression of the rules whereby a player knocks the ball forward with his hands. It is very frustrating to all concerned when this happens as it usually means a player has fumbled the ball and ruined a potential attack. An accidental knock-on results in a scrum to the opponents. A deliberate knock-on is rather more serious and results in a penalty kick to the opposition and usually a yellow card for the transgressor. A line-out occurs when the ball has crossed the sideline. A player (usually the hooker) throws the ball into play as the forwards from both sides line up to receive the throw. A kick-off, from the centre spot, is taken at the start of each half. If a team concedes points they restart the game with a kick from the centre spot. A (22m) drop-out is taken if the ball crosses the dead ball line or when a defence player touches down in his own goal area (provided his team did not carry it there in the first place).

If a rugby player refers to a fly-half, what is he talking about?

A playing position. An over simplification of rugby union would be to say that the forwards are the players who win the ball for their team and the backs are the players who try to score once the ball has been won. The pivotal players in connecting the two sections of the team are the halfbacks; the scrum half collects the ball from the forwards and (usually) offloads it to the fly-half (also known as the stand-off). The fly-half then sets the play as he decides whether to run, to pass or to kick. He must show great tactical awareness and be aware of the position of both his players and those of his opponents.

In rugby terms what is a hooker?

A player found in the front row of the scrum. The hooker is the player in the middle of the front row of the set scrum; his job is to hook the ball backwards with his foot and gain possession of the ball for his team. He usually (but not aways) has the important job of throwing the ball into play at a line-out.

What is normally understood by the rugby term, "a conversion"?

A successful kick at goal following a try. When a team score a try, ie a successful touchdown, they are awarded five points. They now also have the opportunity to add another two points if a player can kick the ball between the posts, this is called a converted try or a conversion. For the conversion attempt ball must be placed at a point directly in line from where the try was scored. A kick from in front of the posts should be easily converted but a kick from close to the touch-line is far more difficult.

Many international rugby union teams have official nicknames. Which of these animals did not represent an international team in 2007?

Tigers. The Springboks represent South Africa. The Wallabies are the Australian team and The Pumas come from Argentina. No international team has 'tigers' for a nickname, but Leicester Tigers are one of the most successful teams in English domestic rugby union.

If a rugby player is described as a "loose head", what does this mean?

He is a front row forward. In the scrum the hooker relies on the two players either side of him for support, these players are called the props. As the scrum engages the other team then the six players at the front have their heads interlocked. One prop places his head between two opponenets and is known as the tight head, the other prop has his head at the end of the line and is called the loose head.

The Calcutta Cup is a trophy awarded to the winners of an annual international rugby match. Which two countries compete for the trophy?

England and Scotland. The origins of the Calcutta Cup do indeed lie in India. A group of British ex-pats started a rugby club which was initially successful, but which ultimately folded. The remaining members of the club had the rupees left in the funds melted down and made into a trophy which they donated to the English RFU. It was originally intended that the trophy would be the prize for a knockout club competition but this never happpened and it was decided to award it to the winners of the international match between England and Scotland. This first match was played in 1879. The match ended in a draw and the trophy was shared. Except for the two world wars this trophy has been competed for in every year since then.

What is a scrum cap?

A protective head covering. Some players, usually forwards, wear protective head-gear. It is normally worn to give protection to the ears and other sensitive areas. International players are awarded a cap by their country but these are ceremonial and not worn during the game. There is no actual limit to the number of consecutive scrums. The referee will ask for the scrum to be reset if the scrum collapses and for various other reasons. If the referee is confident one side is continuously and deliberately causing problems in the scrum then he will award a penalty against them. If the scrum is set near to the try line he may award a penalty try to the attacking team.

In rugby union, who or what is a 'garryowen'?

A very high kick forward aimed at putting the opposing defence under pressure. A 'garyowen' is a high kick forward which, if timed correctly, means an opposition player (usually the full back) has to try and catch the ball just as several opposing forwards are arriving to flatten him! This move is also known as an 'up and under'. It is thought the term derives from the Irish club Garryowen from Limerick who used this tactic often. The legend of a boy picking up the ball during a football match and creating rugby is almost certainly apocryphal. The boy in this story is one William Webb Ellis. His name is part of the official name of the trophy for the Rugby Union World Cup.