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Rugby · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Sub-level 5.3

Defensive Systems

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

How teams defend: the rush, the drift and the umbrella, folding, pillars and guards, the sweeper, communication, goal-line defence, line speed and defensive 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 1The rush defenceTake a test

  1. Rush defenders shut down time and space.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Kicks over the rush hurt it.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Outside backs shoot up to cut off passes.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. The line must rise as one.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. The Springbok rush pressured every attack.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Slow ball gives the rush time.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Use the space the rush leaves.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Set, call, rush, hit.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Rush fastest, deep slowest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Everyone moves up fast.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 2The drift defenceTake a test

  1. Drift pushes the attack to the edge.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Touch squeezes the attack.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Runners cut back against the drift.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Calls pass attackers along.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Less space near touch.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Inside men set the slide.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Drift copes with width.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Pass, slide, hand on, touch.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Cut back beats drift.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Sliding with the ball.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 3The umbrellaTake a test

  1. The line curves like an umbrella.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Wide attackers are closed down.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Gaps can open inside.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Outside backs rush first.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Variety confuses attacks.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. The hinge the umbrella turns on.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Timing decides it.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Hold, read, rush, close.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Outside defenders lead.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Outside defenders ahead.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 4Folding round the ruckTake a test

  1. Defenders fold around rucks.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Folding keeps the line full.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Forwards fold most.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Slow folding leaves gaps.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Onside first, then defend.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Folding helps get numbers up.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Speed of reorganising.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Tackle, rise, fold, fill.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Numbers up is best for the defence.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Moving behind the ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 5Pillars and guardsTake a test

  1. First defenders either side of the ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. They guard the fringes.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Guard and pillar describe close defenders.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Size around the ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. A gap by the ruck.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Square stance.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Fringe defence.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Position, watch, spot, tackle.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Pillar closest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Guarding the fringe.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 6The sweeperTake a test

  1. Covers kicks and breaks.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Nines and fifteens sweep.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Cover behind the line.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. The line is shorter.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Space behind defenders.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Cover for chips.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Flexibility.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Chip, read, run, gather.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Fifteen deepest.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Cover behind.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 7Defensive communicationTake a test

  1. Talk holds the line together.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Clear ownership.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Double-marking leaves a gap.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. A defensive leader calls the line.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Noise makes signals vital.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Signals replace voices.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Even spacing.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Count, call, space, move.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Talk and spacing together.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Defensive leadership.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 8Goal-line defenceTake a test

  1. Last-ditch defence.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Narrow and tight.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Hold up or stop short.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Holding the ball off the ground.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Defensive heroics.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Constant resets.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Errors cost points.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Line, carry, tackle, reset.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Turnover best, try worst.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. On the line.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 9Line speed and reloadingTake a test

  1. Back into shape.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Speed off the line.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Pressure on the attack.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Starting the defensive push.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Fatigue opens holes.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. Fitness keeps the line strong.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Misses rise with fatigue.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Tackle, up, find, set.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Fast and connected is best.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Fast off the line.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

Test 10Defensive statisticsTake a test

  1. Made versus attempted.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  2. Top teams make most tackles.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  3. Winning the collision.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  4. Breaks expose gaps.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  5. Defence as attack.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  6. A clear view of spacing.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  7. Failed attempts.

    Source: General rugby union reference · recall

  8. Higher is better.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  9. Count, mark, find, plan.

    Source: General rugby union reference · applied

  10. Tackle data.

    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