What Does a Wing Do in Rugby Union?

In 15-a-side rugby union, the left wing normally wears 11 and the right wing 14. Both are backs, usually operating towards the outside of the backline. Their job includes finishing scoring chances, supporting breaks, defending the edge and working with the fullback to cover kicks—not simply waiting beside the touchline. The shirt numbers follow World Rugby’s position guide.

This guide is for adult club players. The practice below uses touch only, with no tackling; develop tackling and ball-presentation skills separately under a qualified coach.

The wing’s main jobs

Attack: use space and stay involved

A wing often receives the final pass of a wide attack, but should read the defence before the ball arrives.

• Hold useful width. Give the passer an outside option without standing so close to touch that you have nowhere to move.
• Catch ready to act. Look at the defender before receiving, show your hands and secure the ball before accelerating or changing direction.
• Support breaks. When a teammate gets through, offer a clear passing option rather than watching from your starting position.
• Come in with a purpose. An agreed inside run can add a threat; drifting towards every ruck can remove the team’s wide option.

Pace helps, but a wing also needs changes of pace and direction, handling and sound decisions. New Zealand Rugby’s Rugby Toolbox wing guide emphasises support involvement and different receiving angles, rather than treating the position as the end of a passing chain.

Checkpoint: before receiving, can you identify the outside space, the defender and your nearest support player?

Defence: connect with the centre and fullback

The wing may be the last defender across the field, with nobody outside them. Charging in at the ball can leave an easy pass around the edge; staying wide regardless can leave a gap inside.

Your coach should define when you press forward with the outside centre, when you hold and when you drop to cover a kick. The two wings and fullback form the back three: their positions should change together as the ball moves. Rugby Toolbox recommends practising those decisions as a group, including asking where the remaining wing should be when the other wing and fullback have moved.

Checkpoint: can you name the attacker you are responsible for and say who is covering the space behind you? If not, communicate before the pass or kick.

Kicks: cover, receive and chase legally

Practise moving into position for kicks, calling clearly and securing uncontested catches before adding pressure. Do not begin with aerial collisions or contested jumping.

When chasing your own team’s kick, start behind the kicker. A player ahead of the kicking foot is offside and must not move towards the ball while offside; retreat and being put onside are governed by Law 10. Speed does not excuse an offside chase.

Left wing versus right wing

Both wings need the same core skills. Coaches may choose sides around a player’s preferred stepping foot, kicking foot, carrying habits and the team’s patterns. These are selection considerations, not fixed laws or a universal “power wing versus speed wing” split. The Rugby Toolbox guide discusses those preferences alongside defensive and kick-receiving demands.

Rehearse receiving and passing in both directions, even if you normally wear the same shirt. For the surrounding roles, see our guide to rugby union’s back positions.

A 12-minute touch-only wing practice

After a warm-up, use a ball, cones and four players on a clear grass area. Mark a channel roughly 15 metres long and 12 metres wide, with one sideline representing touch. Leave clear space beyond the channel for players to slow down.

First six minutes: read and finish. Use a passer, wing, support runner and defender. Start at walking pace, with the support runner behind the wing so a backward pass is available. The defender alternates between leaving outside space and moving out to close it. The wing receives a backward pass and chooses an outside run, a change of direction or a backward pass to support. A light touch ends the repetition—no grabbing, tackling or fending. Rotate roles and practise both sides.

Next six minutes: connect or cover. Use a feeder against a centre, wing and fullback. Treat this as a positioning walkthrough, not a full defensive simulation. At walking pace, the feeder carries towards the edge or signals a kick behind. The defenders move according to the coach’s agreed pattern. Use a gentle throw into the backfield for an uncontested catch; stop each repetition to check spacing and responsibilities.

Progression gate: increase running pace only when catches, decisions and communication remain controlled. If players bunch up or lose their assignments, reduce pace and repeat.

Contact skills still matter

A wing must be able to tackle and retain possession after being tackled. Once brought to ground in a tackle, the carrier must make the ball available immediately—not hold it while waiting for support (Law 14).

Keep that work separate from the touch practice. Use our tackle technique progression with a qualified coach, who should confirm the tackle-height rules for your competition before contact begins.