Difference between the 4 and 5 locks

Cuchulain

Hi,
Considering all the other positions are distinctly seperate in some way then (other than their positioning in the scrum) are there any other differences between the two lock positions?

marco_polo

Cuchulain wrote: »

Hi,
Considering all the other positions are distinctly separate in some way then (other than their positioning in the scrum) are there any other differences between the two lock positions?

Jumping position in the lineout? The second jumper is generaly the No4 and fourth jumper No5? I imagine even that is not set in stone these days.

Aside from that I can't think of anything else either.

[Jackass]

None really.

I suppose you would put the stronger of your locks behind the weaker of your props, but other than that, there is no distinct difference between 4 and 5 - and while most teams with an established second row and front row will have the locks on the same side for each scrum, there would be no technical differences on the other side of the scrum for a lock as far as I know.

But then, I played 10, so I could be talking complete horse poo.

Sangre

I think the no4 will set his feet slightly differently in the scrum to allow a channel for a ball.

LightningBolt

Heavier lock will usually go behind the tighthead in the scrums. If you're playing a pod system in the forwards one of them will usually stick with the props.

dub_skav

LightningBolt wrote: »

Heavier lock will usually go behind the tighthead in the scrums. If you're playing a pod system in the forwards one of them will usually stick with the props.

This man speaks the truth. In a pod system the more athletic of your locks will be an extra backrow while the "sturdier" lock will be an extra front rower either taking your runner ball off 2nd phase or clearing out the front rower who does take it.

In the scrum the 4 will have create channels for the strike depending on what the 8/9 want on a particular phase. The 5 will have to look after the tight-head as he has more pressure on him than the loose head.

Around the park in general play both will do a similar job of clearing out rucks / covering in behind the backrow but the 5 may do this slightly wider out.

Lineouts as above generally 4 jumps at 2 and 5 at 4 but there is no rules about that, sometimes a flanker jumps and one of your 2nd rowas lifts at 5.

Second row is a much more complex position than people give it credit for (yes I am a 2nd row)