ENGLISH RFU
The inside centre – who stands closest to the fly half when the backs line up – and the outside centre tend to be strong, dynamic runners with a good eye for exposing gaps in the opposition defence. In attack they tend to run very direct lines.

The centres take on their opposite number in an attempt to either break the defensive line, or draw in enough opposition defenders to create space and try-scoring opportunities for their team-mates. As such they need to be strong and powerful, and when attack turns into defence, they must also be accomplished at tackling.

The inside centre is often the more creative in a centre pairing and should be able to pass and kick nearly as well as the fly half. In either defence or attack, the inside centre tends to be all action – dishing out the tackles and then drawing the opposition defence.

Meanwhile, the outside centre tends to be the faster of the two and the ability to offload the ball quickly to the wingers is also vital.

Key Abilities
Powerful and dynamic running, strong tackling, good passing

JEREMY GUSCOTT
"There isn't too much difference between the inside and outside centre.
But as a rule the outside centre tends to be quicker, but not maybe as big as an inside centre.

England's Mike Tindall (pictured), who has played most of his international rugby at outside centre, has the ideal build for the number 13 shirt. He's a hard, straight-running centre who tackles well, who takes the ball into contact well, which perfectly complements the skills for a number 12.

It used to be that the centres had an understanding but these days the whole backline has to have an understanding. As a coach, you run through repetitive exercises, drills and playing alongside one another to work out what you are going to do.

If you don't then there's no rapport built. Hopefully you get enough opportunities to work out what each other are going to do."