I know this is lame but I need some advice. I am new to rugby as an adult player and before I join a team I want to give the coach an idea of what position I might be able to play.
I am 6'5" and weigh 270 lbs. I have played soccer goalkeeper for the last few years. When I was younger I played Tight End in American Football (both pass catcher and offensive line blocker).
Serious answers only. Please.
Break'n Wreckwords
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At that height and weight you are PERFECTLY suited to number 8. A number 8's job is to be rangy around the field, yet tight on defense. You should be fit enough to make a large percentage of the rucks and mauls and should be competing with the opposition openside flanker and no.8 for the ball.
Lock and prop are other possibilities, but here's my reasoning for having you at neither.
A lock is usually a lineout jumper. If you're not a lineout jumper at lock then you're kinda a burden to the team. Keep in mind that your props, who are big guys and do a lot of the packhorse work around the field (this is my position) will have to lift you at each lineout. At 270lbs (around 120kg?) you're a big fulla and would be a tough life nearing the midway point / end of the game.
As for prop, you'd be bloody tall at that position for starters, which could work both to your scrum's advantage and disadvantage. The major issue here is the amount of knowledge that goes into propping. It's a highly technical, specialised position.
So, number 8 if you can. If you can't then lock or prop are possibilities.
Best of luck mate.
Skip
I would start at lock/ second row as you will really shore up any sides scrum and give them great first phase possession.
Your biggest issue might be cardio fitness which rugby demands a lot of. Andrew Sheridan is a real beast when it comes to fitness, he plays prop and is a similar hieght and weight to you but he will easily manage a 6 mile run and has a record bench of 500lb plus (his club needed to buy extra discs for the gym cos of him)
That's extreme as he is a full time pro but football will have probably given you great strength, so work on the cardio. I reckon if you start cracking the runs out 3 times a week, you could play 6 after you have cracked lock and really put in some big hits and then after time move to 8. 8 is a tough position as it requires a real understanding of the game as you get first shot at phase possession and are amongst the first of the forwards to be released from a scrum. So in time, 8 would be a good goal.
Anonymous
Often the heavier (and less mobile) forwards are props, but 6' 5" would be extremely unusual for that position. As an example, Carl Hayman who is arguably the toughest scrummager in world rugby is considered tall at 6' 3". I think your height would prove a real problem techically scrummaging etc.
You'd be tall enough for a typical lock, on the heavy side for that position.
Assuming you have reasonable speed, I'd say loose forward, especially blind-side flanker or No. 8 would be the most likely. In fact everything about your profile says they may be ideal. Ex soccer goal keeper sasy you're reasonably agile, maybe reasonable acceleration over short distances, and they perhaps most suit your height and build.
Crudely speaking the most common roles of those positions are defending around the ruck area, or barraging runs in the tight stuff.
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A good coach will be able to pick the best position for you. I started out as at lock, even though I am short for the typical lock, and have played at prop and flank. Playing will help you find the best position.
After my first season an older player told me: "You can gain 10 pounds and move up to prop or lose 15 and stay at lock"
Anonymous
How are you with speed? That could make a huge difference. And I'm assuming you have more lean mass due to the steady diet of hay. Good thing you drink water, hopefully enough because the fiber can cause digestive problems. Of course, you state that you do poop the bull chips wherever you want. Kind of your own personal slip and slide, hmm. Nose Tackle? You could take up a lot of space in the center. Just a thought. Good Luck.