Number 8 is the player at the back of the scrum. In general play, they have much the same role as other forwards, tackle, clean out, ruck and pick and go. When the scrum packs down, he is binds onto his two second rowers behind them. Depending on how dominant his scrum is, he can choose to trap the ball at the back of the scrum for a long arm penalty (this is used to place the opposition under pressure and generally happens after several scrum resets), pick it up and have a run, pass off the back of the scrum or hold the ball for his halfback to pass. In the line out, he can be a lifter or he can be lifted. Or he can stand in the back line if it is a smaller line out. Thats a general overview, if you want more detail you may want to look on you tube for Number 8 position guides or notable players of the position.
