What Does "Jackler" Mean in Rugby? Origin, Role & Modern Usage
Ever heard a commentator shout “Jackler!” during a match and wondered what on earth that was? The word pops up in old match reports, vintage commentary archives, and a few rugby‑savvy forums, but today most fans have never seen it on a scoreboard. This article uncovers where the term comes from, how it fit into the game’s structure, why it vanished, and what modern players call the same job.
Origin of the term “Jackler”
Jackler is a colloquial nickname that emerged in British club rugby during the late 1960s. It derives from the name of the Jackling drill used by railway workers, a metaphor for a player who “drills” through the opposition’s defensive line. Early newspaper columns from the Yorkshire Telegraph (1969) describe a “Jackler” as the “hard‑hitting forward who plows ahead like a jackhammer”. The nickname stuck mainly in the northern clubs where heavy‑set forwards were prized for their brute force.
World Rugby’s predecessor, the International Rugby Board (IRB), never formalised the term; it lived purely in the vernacular of players and coaches. By the early 1980s the phrase was common enough to appear in the Rugby Football Union (RFU) coaching handbook as a slang reference for a forward tasked with short‑range, high‑impact carries.
How the jackler role fits into rugby union
In the traditional 15‑a‑side code, the jackler wasn’t a distinct position like prop or hooker. Instead, it described a tactical function assigned to a back‑row forward-usually a blind‑side flanker or a number‑8-who would absorb contact and generate forward momentum close to the try line.
- Primary duties: take the ball directly from the scrum or a line‑out, drive into the defensive line, and either crash the defense or create a platform for a subsequent off‑load.
- Physical profile: low centre of gravity, strong tackling technique, and a high work‑rate in the tackle area.
- Typical situations: short‑range pick‑and‑go phases near the opponent’s 22‑meter line, defensive scrums close to the goal line, and goal‑line drives after a turnover.
Because the jackler operated in the tight exchanges, coaches often paired them with a more mobile back‑row colleague-usually the open‑side flanker-who could exploit the space created by the jackler’s hit‑up.
Common misconceptions
Many people confuse the jackler with the hooker, simply because the words sound alike. The hooker (hooker) is the player who throws the ball in at line‑outs and hooks the ball in scrums. The jackler, by contrast, never had a set‑piece responsibility; his job was purely ball‑carrying and defense.
Another myth is that the term referred to a specific playing style used only in British clubs. While the nickname originated there, similar roles existed worldwide under different names-such as “crash baller” in New Zealand or “power runner” in South Africa. The jackler concept spread through touring teams and Commonwealth matches, but the label itself stayed largely UK‑centric.
Historical examples of jacklers on the field
One of the most celebrated jacklers was England’s Tony Underwood (not to be confused with the wing Tony Underwood). Playing as blind‑side flanker for Leicester Tigers in the early 1980s, he was famed for his “donkey‑drive” runs that ripped through the defense. Match reports from the 1983 RFU Cup note his “jackler‑style bursts” that helped Leicester secure a narrow win over Gloucester.
Another iconic figure was South African provincial star Franco Schiavo, a number‑8 whose low‑body drives were described in the 1985 Currie Cup as “pure jackling”. Schiavo’s ability to take the ball into contact and keep it alive earned him a reputation as the “Jackler of the Cape”.
Why the term fell out of use
By the 1990s professional rugby introduced more nuanced position coding and performance analysis. Coaches began to talk about “impact meters” and “hit‑up efficiency” rather than colorful nicknames. As a result, the jackler moniker was replaced by analytical descriptors like “ball‑carrying forward” or “crash‑ball specialist”.
The shift also coincided with a broader move toward standardized terminology across the global game. World Rugby’s 1995 rulebook revisions emphasized clear position names to aid broadcasters, referees, and new fans. The nostalgic nickname persisted in a few club song lyrics but disappeared from official coaching manuals.
Modern equivalents and terminology
Today, players who would have been called jacklers are simply referred to as “power forwards” or “crash‑ball runners”. In professional teams, the role is often assigned to the number‑8 or the blind‑side flanker, depending on the game plan. The focus now is on measurable metrics: number of carries, meters gained, and tackle break‑downs.
Some clubs still use the nickname informally. The Exeter Chiefs, for example, occasionally shout “Jackler!” in training videos when a forward makes a short, high‑impact run. This nod to tradition keeps the term alive among veteran supporters, even if it’s absent from modern analysis software.
Quick reference guide
| Attribute | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Position | Blind‑side flanker (6) or Number‑8 (8) |
| Key Skill | Short‑range ball‑carrying |
| Physical Trait | Low centre of gravity, strong rucking |
| Impact Metric | 5+ carries per set, >8 m per carry |
| Modern Alias | Power forward, crash‑ball specialist |
FAQ
Is a jackler the same as a hooker?
No. A hooker throws in line‑outs and hooks the ball in scrums, while a jackler was a nickname for a forward who focused on short, powerful carries near the try line.
Which modern position does the jackler correspond to?
Usually the blind‑side flanker (6) or the number‑8 (8), especially when a team’s game plan emphasises crash‑ball tactics.
Why did the term fall out of favour?
Professionalism brought data‑driven language. Coaches preferred terms like “ball‑carrying forward” that could be quantified, so colourful nicknames like jackler faded.
Are there any clubs that still use the term?
A few northern English clubs keep the nickname alive in training chants and social media posts, but it’s rarely used in official commentary.
How can I recognise a jackler during a match?
Look for a forward who receives the ball close to the opposition’s try line, charges straight into the defensive line, and often off‑loads to a teammate. The player’s low, powerful running style is a tell‑tale sign.