Positioning

Question
Hi, I've returned to rugby at university after not playing for a few years. I've started playing as a prop, which is not ideal for my build (5'8" and about 10 st), but since we've being largely playing uncontested scrums due to university rules (front rowers must go to a special training day - I've not been but am considering going to the next one) it's not been too much of a problem.

However, my skills, which were never that great, are a little rusty after their lay off and one thing which I'm particularly unsure about in is positioning during play as a prop. What should I be doing during each phase of play, where should I be moving to, what are my responsibilities with regard to rucks and mauls, and in particular what should I do if I'm not involved in the rucks and mauls? Do I hang round the fringes, or should I drop back into the line of the backs (I've been told once or twice to fall back off the shoulder of No. 10 when we are attacking)?

The other thing is tackling. The flankers seem to make a lot of tackles per game, and whilst I make a fairly consistent couple per 80 mins, I never seem to reach their levels. I realise that playing as prop probably isn't too conducive to  making as many tackles as a flanker, but I am currently a sub quite frequently and I feel that this is one of the areas of my game that needs a lot of improvement if I want to hold down a regular starting position. I never seem to be  where the opposition ball carrier goes, and I wondered if you had any tips as to what I should do to get over this (one of our flankers always seems to be in a position to make a tackle).

Cheers

Answer
Hi Dominic, first thing you will need to do is to start claiming your position try to out play the other props in your team, if your always on the bench then the coach is over looking you because of your style of play. As a prop follow your flanks, since they are fast players, they should to the broken play or to support first followed by you. Try to keep up with them and when they have secured the ball or supported the player you with support them by standing over them or you clear the player trying to get the ball from your player. If the ball has been secured and the ref has indicated that the ball is about to be cleared either stay back behind the back line or look for the next person taking the ball up and follow, maybe indicate to the #9 that you can take the ball up or you can run as a dummy.
If you can't follow the flanker, stink with the other prop of lock make sure you stay together. When I coach a new person in a scrum or in the forwards I will usually get them to stay as a pack and start talking about defence and attack. the idea is to back up the forwards.
As for tackling, the flankers are usually the first point of contact and you and the locks the second, you are the engine so you need to get your body down low and hit some of the players that try to run past your position. Watch the opposition prop and follow him.  As I mentioned before, play yourself into your team and play the others out of your position. Increase your speed and aggression during training and game time and look at the way your other props are playing and copy or better them.

To end.
Follow your flankers and other props
Partner with a forward player and stick with him
Claim your position.....don't be the sub

Hope that helps