back row to prop??

newby.204

Hey lads
ive been playin rugby(injuries aside) for the last 3 years im a back row, typically 6 or 8 and im just wondering how difficult it would be to transition to loosehead prop?? im 6 ft and 14st?? do i need to be heavier or is it about technique im mostly talking about the scrum!!

Fishooks12

Did you recentlt enjoy an upgrade in food and booze intake or is your reason for the switch purely to discover the dark arts of the front row?

CIARAN_BOYLE

I'm not sure about how difficult it would be but its a transition that seems to happen a fair bit

GerM

Really depends on the level you're playing at. If it's J3 or J4 then you should be able to make the transition with some work and effort and a fair bit of scrum training before you pack down for real as you're not the biggest unit. You'll need a fair bit of power though to cope initially. I'd work on your neck and shoulders and build up your legs too if you haven't already. You'll more than likely get your arse handed to you on a plate a number of times but will learn from it.

If you're playing J2 or higher I'd advise against considering it. You risk playing someone that has been propping for 20 years and isn't half bad. Not only would you take a beating but your own safety would be an issue. All it takes is one bad hit against a strong pack and you're in trouble.

newby.204

haha no im a fairly fit 14st to be honest!! i was just wondering would it be a hard transition, we're not exactly flush with propsand i wouldn mind tryin it out, lossehead i thought would be a little easier?? im playin j4!

Teferi

Propping at j4 is absolutely grand. Will be no bother to you with a few training sessions and just getting at it in matches.

I moved up from j5 last year where we only competed in the scrum a handful of times and I haven't found it overly difficult.

Madworld

I'm not trying to be overly negative here but you'll be giving up nearly six stone to most of the props at that level.

Unless your squatting serious weights I'd strongly advise against it.

ormond lad

If the OP get their technique to a very high level its def possible. We in nenagh have seen many 2nd rows/backsrows move to the front row and done fine in the front row(1 of our 2nd rows and 1 of our back rows from last seasons AIL are now playing in the front row) as theyve got their technique done very well after work with seamus harty(link to thread and newspaper article i posted during 2011 6 nations about him here)

irishbucsfan

You'll be fine. Talk to your coach and tell him what you want to do. Get a few sessions in and see how you feel.

Fireball07

It seems to happen a good bit at underage, I've seen a lot of back rows move into the front row aged 16, 17, 18, 19..... after that, well people really tend to put on the weight for their position, might be a bit harder,

justsomebloke

Do you like milk and squats?

TheVoodoo

How old are you? It happens a bit, sometimes succesfully, sometimes not. Jason Harris Wright Played Backrow for most of his school days and made the switch to Front Row. Try it and see in a few training sessions, if you like it, hit the gym. You'll use muscles that you didn't even know you had, and this is where one can run into difficulties, especialyy if propping against an experienced or significantly more solid opposition. It's one position i'd never recommend unless you are prepared.

nomunnnofun

I'd advise against it to be honest OP. At J4 level, you probably won't be training hard enough on technique etc.. to make the change safely. IMO props should either have plenty of weight or they should have short backs. At 6ft and 14st, you don;t seem to fall into either category. My brother made the transition a few years ago from No8 to prop. He is 5ft 10 and was about 16stone and quite strong at the time. He was coming up against lads 18stone + who had been propping for years. Remember carrying him off the pitch twice when he got twisted wrong and popped a disc way in scrum. He decided to move the other way and is playing outhalf now:pac: The big WUSS.

cmdrpaddy

At J4 there's a very serious mix of props. Some guys are very good and could move up a level or two with little bother other lads are clearly there because they'll never lose the weight to play anywhere else.

I've found that the most important thing is practice. Get someone who knows what they're talking about and get on a scrum machine. It'll take a while to get into it but you need to persevere. Scrummaging (aside from basic technique) is mostly about how you adapt to the guy you're playing against. Once you've got a good few games in you'll have a fair idea as to whether you'll want to stick with it but be prepared for some absolute roastings.

chippers

We had a fella who could play both first center and prop. Very good at both.This was at j4 level. He was about the same size as yourself, no bigger. He was an athletic build but in fairness he had thighs like tree trunks. I don't know how he did it as some of the lads he was propping against were big grizzly fatties. The other lads always told me that he had great technique.

Definitely spend a lot of time at training with the other front rowers before getting in there. It's not worth the risk otherwise.

newby.204

thanks for all the replies lads ill see how i go

CatFromHue

Sekope Kepu is one example of someone who did it. Though he moved to the front row from No.8 at underage level.

PaulyBolger

Look don't listen to anyone above. if you have a spot on technique then you'll be fine. Just make sure thats spot on and you'll beat 20+st props at your ease.

Fez101

I'd say it also depends on how naturally strong you are, if you have decent natural strenghth that will help. Technique will come with playing and coaching/training, it also helps if the team you play with are good at scrumaging, it'll be easier to learn whilst playing in a strong scrum. I'd also say loose head is the right side for you to start with, tight heads anchor the scrum and you need both technique and strength there. Also tightheads take more of a battering on that side of the scrum, narly hookers tend to (illegally) pack down on the tight head rather than the hooker especially if they sense weakness. Stick with it, it will be a steep learning curve but 18 months down the line your all round play being a back rower will be a real asset to your side.

gregers85

this season was my 1st yr proping! I have always played 6 but due to injury and an operation iv put up bout 2 stone and have played loose head this season, got killed first few games but have the hang of it now! Im 6"1 and 17 stone, training like beast at the mo so ill be back in the row in know time haha