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.
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 became 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
5. Ben Foden - Fullback to Scrum-half
Sale Sharks coach saw him primarily as a full-back, commenting after a strong performance from Foden against , “If he’s not a full-back I will eat my French beret. Despite these ringing words of endorsement from his coach, Foden’s desire to play scrum half saw him sign for Northampton Saints on the basis of a promise to play him at his preferred position. Long story short, he’s back at fullback.
6. Kieran Read - Blindside flanker to Number 8
Read played for the Crusaders in the Super 14 in 2007 as a blindside flanker but moved to number 8 during the next season, which led to him receiving his first All Black call-up. 10 years, two World Cup titles and 112 caps later it's fair to say that small position move has been a major success.
7. 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.
