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Rugby · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.3

The Breakdown

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown

The contest after the tackle: why it matters, clearing out, jackalling, counter-rucking, picking the right rucks, quick ball, staying on the feet, pick and go, backs at the breakdown and breakdown statistics.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Why the breakdown mattersTake a test

  1. Every tackle can become a contest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Speed and body height win rucks.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Fast rucks beat set defences.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Illegal play at the ruck is costly.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Momentum carries into the ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Extra bodies leave gaps elsewhere.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Rucks are hard work.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Tackle, place, clear, use.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Faster is better for the attack.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. The contest after the tackle.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 2Clearing outTake a test

  1. The first arriver secures the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Clear the body, not the head.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Low body height wins the clear-out.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Back on the feet for the next phase.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Numbers win tough rucks.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Players must stay on their feet.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Safe clear-outs protect players.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. See, lower, drive, stay up.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Never the head.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Driving the threat off the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 3The jackalTake a test

  1. A strong, low base resists the clear-out.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. The window is short.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Weight over the ball holds position.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Successful jackals swing possession.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Short and strong over the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Speed of support beats the jackal.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Tackle, rise, jackal.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Tackle, rise, plant, lift.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Low and wide is strongest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Jackalling for the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 4Counter-ruckingTake a test

  1. Win the ball back by driving over.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Slow support invites a counter-ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Two bound players drive harder.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Overcommitting opens gaps.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. A turnover follows.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Low wins the push.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Close forwards counter-ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Tackle, bind, drive, ball won.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Counter-rucks use most.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Driving over to win the ball back.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 5Picking the right rucksTake a test

  1. Defenders spread out instead of rucking.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. A full line is hard to break.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Pick the rucks worth fighting.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Selective breakdown defence.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. The numbers guide the plan.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Too many in rucks leaves gaps.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. A threat can slow the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. See, judge, decide, act.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Isolated carriers invite a contest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Not competing, filling the line.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 6Quick ballTake a test

  1. Speed beats organisation.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Measured in seconds.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Early support makes quick ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. A good placement speeds the ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Time helps the defence.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Momentum makes the next phase easier.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. No waiting for the nine.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Collision, placement, clear, pass.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Quick and forward is best.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. The defence is not set.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 7Staying on the feetTake a test

  1. Rucks are contested on the feet.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Balance wins rucks.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Fair contests need players upright.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. A strong base gives balance.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Stay up, drive through.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Rise, then compete.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Discipline saves points.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Release, rise, position, compete.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Wide and low is steadiest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Staying up keeps the contest fair.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 8Pick and goTake a test

  1. Forwards carry from the base of the ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Short carries for a try.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Repeated carries wear defenders down.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Each carry risks losing the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Forwards make the close carries.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Close range suits carries.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Low tackles stop short carries.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Ruck, drive, ruck, score.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Pick and go is closest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Short carry near the line.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 9Backs at the breakdownTake a test

  1. Everyone must clear and jackal.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Twelves are often strong over the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Every player can win the ball back.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Protect the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Unexpected steals turn games.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Backs train contact too.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Breakdown skills for everyone.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Arrive, spot, clear, hold.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Twelves are closest to the action.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Backs can win the ball too.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 10Breakdown statisticsTake a test

  1. Ruck retention is the key number.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Top teams keep almost all ruck ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Turnovers measure defence.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Breakdown penalties are costly.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Overhead footage shows technique.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Slow ball has causes.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Context changes the numbers.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Higher is better.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Count, measure, find, plan.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Ruck data guides training.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Sources

World Rugby handbooks and coaching material, union and competition records; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered Laws belong to the Laws category.

  • General rugby union reference100