Position

Positional Criteria

Grade Against Criteria

Comment

Open-side Flanker

Technical

·          Contribute to the scrum drive by pushing/ watch the ball as it moves through the scrum

·          Act as a jumper or a supporter in the lineout

·          Pressurise opposition half backs

3

3

4

• Contributes strongly and aware of ball position

• Effective middle of the line jumper – catches ball in both hands and distributes neatly

• This is a strength of his game  - always in their face

Tactical

·          Maintain continuity

·          Prove to be the first line of defence from scrum and lineout

·          High tackle count

·          Understanding effective running lines

4

3

3

4

• Instinctively in the right place with good hands
• Generally good – does sometimes become lazy

• Misses the odd tackle on the inside shoulder
• Devastating ball carrier coming off the inside/outside shoulder of 10

Mental

·          brave and keen in the contact area

·          perceptive of contact area laws/ maintain discipline

·          Be controlled when acting as a link in offensive plays

4

3

3

• Who dares wins attitude
• Can get caught offside occasionally

• Drops the odd pass

Physical

·          Good upper body strength required to fight the contact area

·          Need good cardiovascular endurance to maintain performance throughout the game

·          Speed off the mark

3

4

4

• Needs to work on upper body strength

• Has good anaerobic and aerobic capacity
• Good pace off mark and over longer distances