Prop..and getting fit for prop

Question
hi, just starting out playing Rugby, played before in school but not for the team. Im just curious if you have any tips to help me become a mean lean..prop. I think i need to work on slimming own aswell as building muscle mass and geting more agile and quicker, and inshape.

anyhelp is appreicated.

Answer
Hi Matt,

Okay, I'd hardly call a prop lean, mean most definetly, but lean... No.

First of all, do not slim. Slimming is not an important part of being a prop. So put down the carrot sticks and get some meat into your bones because you're going to be building up muscle.

You'll find that muscle will eventually take over where the fat was, and this won't let you lose any of the all important weight.

Agility is not a key attribute. If you watch any forward rugby (and especially prop rugby) you'll notice that they aren't particularly fast or agile. In fact, not many forwards get further than a couple of metres before another ruck is formed. So agility and speed is not the name of the game for a prop.

Anyway, good luck.

Ian