This is the third installment of my series on Rugby. If you haven't read those, I invite you to do so:

Part 1: http://theodysseyonline.com/clarion/guide-to-rugby/132492

Part 2: http://theodysseyonline.com/clarion/gentlemans-guide-rugby-union-part-ii/136805

In this article, we will return to our hypothetical test match between the United States and England to help us discuss the defensive aspect of the sport.

.... England kicks the ball off to the United States again, they run down to contest the catch and win back possession of the ball....

In Rugby, the team that last scored receives the kick-off. This "make it, take it" differs from American Football, where the scoring team kicks the ball off to resume play. Similar to an onside kick in American Football, the kicking team can lob the ball into the air in an attempt to win back possession.

.... The Americans tackle the English player and a ruck is formed, the English and the Americans set up for the next play....

The defending team forms a flat line in front of the attacking team. Typically, teams will utilize either a zone or man strategy. Simply, in a zone defense, a player is responsible for defending a certain area; in a man strategy, each defensive player is responsible for defending against a single attacking player.

.... The English scrumhalf approaches the ruck and distributes the ball to his back line, the Americans tackle him....

Tackling is a key part of the game. Rugby tackles are somewhere between a football tackle and a wrestling take-down. The lack of protective gear means that impact tackling is both unsafe and generally illegal. The force of momentum is used by the defense, but it must be accompanied by an effective tackle. Tackles must be made below the shoulder, with a high tackle being a penalty that could result in an ejection of the game if severe enough. When the tackle is completed, the players must make an attempt to vacate the area of the ruck and rejoin play on their respective sides.

.... The English decide to punt the ball to the Americans for field position, the scrumhalf passes to the backs who then kick the ball high and down the field, the English players chase the ball....

Kicking can be a very effective way to get out of bad field position, or gain field position in certain situations. Teams who can kick effectively add an extra weapon to their arsenal and can use it to control the game.

.... The Eagle's Fullback drops the ball and knocks it forward, the referee signals that a scrum will occur....

When a ball is dropped and it rolls forward, a knock-on has occurred. This is illegal and results in a scrum to the opposing team.

.... The English and the Americans form a scrum, the English Scrumhalf rolls the ball between the two teams and is kicked backwards through the English side of the scrum, the scrumhalf then picks in up to begin the next play....

The scrum is one of the most iconic events in rugby, each side uses eight players who bind together and push against the mass of the other team. They use their feet to guide the ball back through the dense mass of humanity to the scrumhalf who then begins the next play, just as he would if he received the ball from a ruck. The positions of the scrum are as follows:

Hooker - This player is supported by two other players and his sole responsibility is to kick the ball backwards through the scrum.

Props - They are positioned in the front row and support the hooker as well as provide a drive forward.

Locks - These players are in the second row, the are bound to each on other on the side and bound to the first row in the front. They provide the main forward push.

Loose forwards - Consists of the flankers and the eight men, these players provide stability and a forward push. They are the first to be able to leave the scrum, so they are critical to the first down-field play.

.... The English win the scrum, they move further down the field and are stopped near the line by the Eagle's defense, they decide to kick for points instead of going for the try - An English player then successfully drop kicks the ball and scores 3 points for his team....

Drop kicking is a very effective way to score points when scoring a try becomes difficult. These kicks are contested and occur during live play, making them more difficult than conversions.

If Rugby interests you, I invite you to watch a match, there are many websites that cater to American audiences and games are widely available on sites like Youtube.