The Crazy Eights

In the build up to the Rugby World Cup this September, I’m going to write a regular feature on why you should make time to watch this brilliant tournament.

Much like Football, Rugby has rigid player numbers and on every rugby union team there is a number eight. These guys are usually the biggest knuckle draggers on the roster and play a similar role to a middle linebacker, albeit in both offensive and defensive play. They are also usually ever so slightly unhinged. In fact, unlike the other positions (Hooker, Scrum-half, Fly-half etc.), the position of Number 8 doesn't actually have a 'proper' name; It's just called 'Number 8' and everyone is just expected to understand.

"Shit, look at that caveman over there! What position does he play?"
"He's a number eight"
"oh..."

I love these guys, they are aggressive, vocal and always up for it; a bit like the French Number 8, a Monsieur Sebastian Chabal aka 'Sea Bass'. This guy is not only a stereotypical Number Eight but a stereotypical French man too. I'm fairly certain that if they let him play with a beret and a string of onions around his neck, he would do. Here he is doing what he does best:

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1r2vEd1_IA"]