Quick answer: In rugby union the starting XV wear numbers 1 to 15, and the number tells you the position: 1-8 are the forwards, 9-15 are the backs. Replacements wear 16 upwards. Rugby league uses 1 to 13, and the numbering runs the other way round - 1 is the full-back, not the loosehead prop. If you are ordering club kit, that means union squads need numbers 1-23 and league squads 1-17, plus spares.
Squad numbers look like trivia until you are the person placing the kit order. Then they become a very practical question: how many shirts, which numbers, and what happens when a new player joins in November. This guide covers what each number means in both codes, and what it means for what you actually buy.
How rugby shirt numbers work
Unlike football, where a number is usually attached to a player for the season, rugby numbers are attached to a position. The number 2 shirt is worn by whoever is hooking that weekend. That is why most clubs order a numbered set that stays with the club rather than with individuals, and why player names are optional in rugby in a way they are not in football.
It also changes what you order. A football club orders 20 shirts with 20 different names. A rugby club orders a numbered set of 23, and the shirts get handed out in the changing room.
Rugby union: the forwards, 1 to 8
The forwards - collectively the pack - do the heavy work at scrum, lineout, ruck and maul.
- 1. Loosehead prop - front row, on the left of the scrum. Props are the widest fit in the squad, which matters for sizing.
- 2. Hooker - front row, middle. Hooks the ball in the scrum and usually throws in at the lineout.
- 3. Tighthead prop - front row, on the right. The most specialist scrummaging position in the game.
- 4 and 5. Second row (locks) - the engine room, and the primary lineout jumpers. Usually the tallest players, so shirt and short lengths need checking.
- 6. Blindside flanker - back row, the physical tackler.
- 7. Openside flanker - back row, first to the breakdown.
- 8. Number eight - back of the scrum, links forwards and backs.
Rugby union: the backs, 9 to 15
- 9. Scrum-half - the link between pack and backs. Usually the smallest player on the pitch.
- 10. Fly-half - runs the attack and normally kicks goals.
- 11. Left wing - finisher.
- 12. Inside centre - the crash-ball or distributor role, depending on the system.
- 13. Outside centre - the strike runner.
- 14. Right wing - the other finisher.
- 15. Full-back - last line of defence, and the main counter-attacker.
Replacements: 16 and upwards
Senior union matches use eight replacements, numbered 16 to 23, which is why a full senior squad set is 23 shirts and not 15. At age-grade and community level the bench can be smaller, so check your league rules before you order. Rolling substitutions in junior rugby mean you may want a couple of extra sets rather than a strict 23.
Rugby league numbers 1 to 13 - and they run in reverse
League fields 13 players and numbers them the other way round. Number 1 is the full-back, 2 and 5 are the wingers, 3 and 4 the centres, 6 the stand-off and 7 the scrum-half. The forwards then run 8 to 13: props at 8 and 10, hooker at 9, second row at 11 and 12, and the loose forward at 13. Interchanges are usually numbered 14 to 17.
This trips up clubs that run both codes, or schools that switch between them. If you play league, do not order a union numbering set by habit - the number 1 shirt goes to a very different player.
What this means when you order kit
Four practical points that save money and re-orders.
Order the full numbered set, not just the starters
Union: 1-23. League: 1-17. Ordering only 1-15 means your bench plays in mismatched shirts by the second week of the season.
Order by position, not by average size
A front row and a scrum-half are rarely the same size. Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 usually need the larger end of the range, 9 the smaller. Ordering a flat spread of sizes leaves you with unwearable shirts.
Decide on names before you commit
Because rugby numbers belong to positions, adding player names ties a shirt to one person and makes it useless next season. Many clubs add names only to the first XV or to tour and leavers shirts. Our guide to names, numbers and initials on team kit covers the trade-off in full.
Plan for mid-season additions
New players arrive. Keeping your artwork and number style on file means a shirt ordered in January matches one ordered in August. At CentralCustom your design is kept on file for exactly this reason.
How numbers are applied
There are three common routes. Heat-applied vinyl or transfer numbers are the standard for stock jerseys - fast, sharp and cost-effective. Sublimated numbers are dyed into the fabric when the shirt is made, so nothing can peel; this only works on bespoke sublimated kit, and it is the most durable option for contact rugby. Twill or stitched numbers give a heritage look and are usually reserved for cotton-style heritage jerseys rather than modern performance fabric.
For a contact sport, the failure point is the edge of the number under repeated washing and tackling. Wash at 30 degrees, inside out, no fabric conditioner, and do not tumble dry - that alone doubles the life of a printed set.
Frequently asked questions
What number is the hooker in rugby?
Number 2 in rugby union. In rugby league the hooker wears 9.
What are numbers 6 and 7 in rugby union?
Number 6 is the blindside flanker and 7 is the openside flanker. Together with the number 8 they make up the back row.
How many numbered shirts does a rugby club need?
Union: 23 for a senior matchday squad (15 starters plus 8 replacements). League: 17 (13 plus 4 interchanges). Most clubs order a few spares on top.
Do rugby shirts have numbers on the shorts?
Often, yes, at senior level - a smaller number on one leg. It is optional at community and age-grade level.
Can we add player names as well as numbers?
Yes. Names usually sit above the number on the back. Bear in mind it fixes that shirt to that player, so many clubs skip names on the main squad set.
Getting your numbered set sorted
If you are putting an order together, tell us your code, squad size and colours and we will quote within one working day, with a free digital proof before anything is produced. There is no minimum order, so a mid-season top-up of three shirts is as welcome as a full squad set.
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