I was talking with a friend who’s son (now in High School! How did that happen??) is a rugby player and the college scouts are looking at him.
My friend tried to explain it to me but it just looks like a mob of really large guys. His son plays “#9” which sounds like that might be the hooker? He said his son gets the ball first and then laterals it back to “#10” who is more like a quarterback? I have no clue - but Dad is excited. They are going on an international tournament (Ireland?) in a month.
9 is the scrum half, or quarterback of the team. But, no forward passing. He puts the ball into the scrum, where the hooker heels or hooks the ball backwards so his team can possess the ball. The hooker is the number 2.
I played in college over 40 years ago. Great fun, and there was always beer after, and sometimes during, the games.