Hooking the ball

When it comes to scrums, the hooker is the player with all the responsibility and pressure.

Their job is to strike the ball back to the number 8 once the scrum-half has fed the ball into the scrum.

This is not as easy as it sounds.

Why? Because the opposition's hooker is trying to steal the ball from you.

Plus you've got eight huge forwards on the other side trying to push you off the ball.

The hooker is the only player in the scrum who can raise their feet - otherwise they would never be able to strike the ball.

However, no other player in the scrum is allowed to handle the ball until the ball is free - not even the hooker.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
International Rugby Board
Rugby Football Union
IRFU
Scottish Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
Your say - Scrum V
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