The 11 & 14 winger in modern rugby is most adept in open space. They’re fast, powerful strike weapons who finish the hard work of the other members of the team. The best wingers have a high work rate and go looking for the ball if it is not coming to their side of the field. They should be able to read the game and anticipate what happens next. It’s the team’s responsibility to get the ball to the wingers in open space and let them do their thing..

The left wing (#11) stays nearer the left touch line side, and the #14 nearer the right. At the higher levels players tend to specialize, but generally, at least to start, its about feeling which side you are more comfortable with. A left wing would need to receive the ball from the right, prefer to carry the ball in left arm, prefer going around opponent going left, and prefer kicking with left foot. A right wing the opposite. But in many cases you can and will play both sides.

A winger needs to be fit and will cover a huge amount of ground during a game of rugby. Depending on the opposition’s shape in attack and the player with the ball, the winger may need to play up in the defensive line or back to field a kick. This change can happen instantaneously. So just staying in position requires wingers to be moving at high-speed most of the game. Defense is very tricky for a winger. You are often exposed to an attack that has more players than you have defenders. You must trust that your players inside you will make their tackles and you need to hold your line and target your own opposing player. View the media to learn more.

The winger should have excellent handling skills, be able to beat opponents using speed, evasion, and a fend. They can keep the ball alive by either taking a tackle and passing to a supporting player, or staying on their feet and initiating a breakdown and quick recycling to continue the attack. If he is tackled to the ground he needs to ensure that the ball is secured by his support players for quick recycling again.