What Position and What types of Practise

Question
Hi,
My name is Samson Abbott. I am 15 years old and a sophomore at my high school. Normally kids my age and in my grade would be playing Junior Varsity 10v10 rugby. However, the varsity team coach for our school has approached me and expressed interest in me coming out and practising with his team so as to evaluate me and possibly offer me a spot on the team. He has made it clear that there are places open on the team for the entire second and back rows of the forward pack. (#4-8) The most open position is lock and then flanker. I am 6"2, and roughly 200 lbs. I am very strong, very fast, in very good shape, and have decent technique in tackling, having played American Football,  High School Wrestling (provincial champion) and a season of 10v10 rugby which I dominated as a prop. Obviously the jump from 10v.10 to 15v.15 rugby is a large gap and I am not sure what position I should practise for. I am pretty smart and can pick up tactics pretty quickly, so I think I can be ready when practises begin. Any opinions on which position I should try for and any drills or tips for that position would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
If you are very fit and fast and a good tackler I feel flanker is a good option for you. If you are very very fast and fit open side is a great option. The big thing with this position is learning lines off the scrum and line out to run in defense and offense.

In defense you would break off the scrum and run a line toward the #10 on his inside shoulder forcing him to pass or run or kick. If he passes you blow past him and pressure the center in the same way. If he runs you flatten him and if he kicks you run a line to cut him off or divert his line to re-gathering the ball.

On offense you are breaking fro the scrum to support your # 10 should he get trouble from the opposition flankers.

The best tools to use are You Tube and TV for searching training tips and viewing professional player and how they play. When you watch a professional player take care to note the lines he runs between break downs on offense and defense and what he is doing when not near the ball as well as when he runs with the ball in hand.

A good flanker inserts himself when the chain of the backs is broken as a new link. Whenever any of your players gets the ball the flanker (you) should be the first person to be there to take a pass or strip the ball from him should he get caught.

A good flanker basically harasses the opposition ball carriers and steals the ball from the arms of the opposition when ever he can.