5 rugby Players Who Changed Playing Positions With Mixed Results
Rugby NewsSunday, 09 July 2023 at 18:22
Sometimes, a player can go for years without realising they’re better suited to playing in another position.
As young rugby player, most of us will have chosen the position of our favourite player and then stuck with it, however unsuccessfully.
Many of those who make it to a professional club find themselves moved by those who are paid to spot potential, but even then there are plenty of examples of players who make it right through to senior rugby before a manager sees attributes in them that are perhaps best suited to another position.
However, not all switches work out. Here are 10 players who have made moves down the years with mixed results.
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1. Tom Youngs - Centre to Hooker
Youngs is the son of former Leicester and England scrum-half Nick Youngs, and the elder brother of current Leicester and England scrum-half Ben Youngs. Originally a centre/winger he changed to play at hooker after advice from then Tigers' coach Heyneke Meyer.
What might surprise you is how rapid and small he was. Check this out.
2. Jonah Lomu - Flanker to Winger
Lomu started his rugby union career in the forwards, mostly as an openside flanker (no.7), sometimes to the blindside (no.6), before switching to the left wing in what he described as the "best move he could have made". Long story short, he's without a doubt the best winger of all-time.
3. Jonny Wilkinson - Centre to Fly-Half
Wilkinson started his career at Newcastle School of Rugby as an inside centre, competing for a place with international veterans such as Inga Tuigamala, and Lion Alan Tait. He then took over from Rob Andrew, who was made Falcons head coach (later Director of Rugby), as both their fly-half and goal kicker. The rest is history.
4. Shane Williams - Scrum-half to Winger
Williams started his junior career as a scrum-half at Amman United he joined Neath as a second-choice scrum-half. However, it becam
e apparent to Lyn Jones, Neath's then-coach, that Williams simply could not be left out of the side, and placed him on the right wing. The rest is history with Williams retiring as Wales top try scorer of all-time.
5. Sam Burgess - Flanker to Centre
Who could forget this odd position change? The cross-code star came into rugby union, playing in the back-row for Bath in the Premiership. England then started him in the centre at the Rugby World Cup. Still trying to work that one out.
Sam Burgess of England tackled by Taulupe Faletau of Wales - Photo mandatory by-line: Dean Lancaster/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 26/09/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 - POOL A Match 16 - England v Wales- Twickenham Stadium, London, England.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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