What are all the responsibilites and roles of a prop in rugby?

John S: What are all the responsibilites and roles of a prop in rugby?
My friends and I are debating exactly what a prop does at different times in rugby. A rundown of what they do when defending, attacking and in scrimmage/ruck, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Richie
The primary responsibilities of a prop are scrummaging and lifting in the lineout.

In my opinion there are different types of props. I’m going to use Ireland as an example as I think it best contrasts the two.

1st Type: This would be the lighter more mobile prop that takes on a lot of ball, is generally faster than the other. ala Marcus Horan

2nd type: This would be a bigger probably stronger type that doesn’t really do much in attack but is brilliant in defence. If you ever watch an Ireland match you’ll always see John Hayes around the side of the ruck as a pillar, generally if someone picks and goes in that direction, they don’t go too far.

In general, props perform more work in the tight. In attack that means pick and goes and in defence it means pillars. Also pretty rare to see a prop kick.

This is just a basic generalisation, there are obviously exceptions to the rule. Tony Woodcock, best prop in the world in my opinion, seems to be able to combine both roles pretty well.

Answer by Ikarus_17
An Prop SCRUMS!!!

1 is normally taller because he anchors the scrum and gets the left shoulder (which is better attacking ball). # prop is shorter and tries to get beneath his taller (nr.1) oppostion prop.

They also support the tall and heavy jumpers in the line out.

They are less mobile than other forwards and their job is mainly to act as pillars at rucks/mauls and basically just support the guys lighter than them on the field. You know, they have to throw their weight around

Answer by Bruiser38
Eat all the pies and then lean on the scrum getting over the indigestion. Lol

Answer by dontno
Your main job is to be the fattest player on the team and to fall asleep when the ref says crouch touch pause enzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Answer by Dangerous
To be the biggest lummix on the field and to throw that weight around.

Answer by Crane
The person who gets whipped with towels after the showers and people shout squeal piggy squeal