the name of invitational rugby teams, the most famous based in the UK, drawing the finest players from around the world together to play matches against international teams. Also called the Baa Baas

a common identifier for the first fifteen selected players of a club or team. A team can also use XV in their name, pronounced as fifteen.

Positions

unlike most other sports, referees can play advantage after a foul for what can seem an eternity, but once he calls "advantage over" then that's that.

a tackle, usually of the last-ditch variety, which involves a dive and a slap to the attacker's ankle which, if properly executed, will result in his legs colliding with each other. Also known as a Tap Tackle.

the group of players normally numbered Nos. 9 to 15 who do not participate in scrums and line-outs, except for the scrum-half.

the careful method players grip and grasp each other to form a secure scrum, ruck, or maul. This is a critical skill to ensure the safety of players.

from a set piece, ruck or maul, the short side of the field. Also called the Weakside.

anytime a player plays in a match he/she is technically awarded a cap but the term is mostly used to note the number of official games a player has appeared for his/her national team against another national team. A cap is an honour, there is typically no physical item awarded, although originally there was.

the blocking of a kick by an opposition player.