Scrum-halves shouldn’t count sheep in their sleep – they should count the number of passes they’ve hopefully made in that week’s training. And it should run to hundreds, because they need to deliver rapid and accurate service to their fly-half off both hands. But a good No 9 must also be willing to snipe himself or link with his back row – keeping the defence guessing. A towing box-kick is mandatory and if you’re not one of the gobbiest members of the team you’re in the wrong job, because communication is critical. This role is made for a bossy boots!

Gareth Edwards playing for the 1974 Lions

Many of rugby's greatest moments have Gareth Edwards at their core. The Welsh scrum-half makes everyone's list of iconic players

George Gregan of Australia

George Gregan is viewed as a rugby god in Australia. The talismanic scrum-half bagged 139 Test caps, a feat that cements him as one of the greatest players ever.

David Kirk holds aloft the Webb Ellis Cup

David Kirk will always be remembered as one of the greatest scrum-halves ever. The New Zealander held aloft the first World Cup in 1987

Australia's Ken Catchpole

Major teams: Randwick, NSW Country: Australia
 Test span: 1961-68 Australia caps: 27 (27 starts) Test points: 9 (3T) He captained Australia on his Test debut and 12 other occasions, he…

Gary Armstrong in action against England

Major teams: Jed-Forest, Newcastle, Borders Country: Scotland Test span: 1988-99 Scotland caps: 51 (49 starts)
 Test points: 21 (5T) “Inside me at scrum-half I have one of the toughest players…