Engage Meaning in Rugby Union

Engage is the final part of the process where the two opposing forward packs make contact. In older rules, this was the specific command given by the referee to start the scrum push. Today, the word has been replaced by the command set to make the process even more controlled. When the packs engage, they lock heads and shoulders together to form a solid tunnel for the ball. This moment involves a massive amount of physical pressure as both sides try to gain an advantage. Players must stay perfectly straight and balanced to ensure the formation does not collapse under the weight. A successful engagement creates a stable platform for the scrum-half to put the ball into the play. For example, the two front rows will lean in and meet with a loud thud as they begin their battle. This physical contest determines which team will win possession of the ball in that moment. It is the start of the war.