All the great hookers have caused damage in the loose – yet not at the expense of the set-piece basics that constitute the core part of their role. Ideally, the No 2 will scrummage as effectively as a prop, throw into line outs with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel, and serve as a fourth loose forward in open play. Some will win regular turnovers at the breakdown, others carry and offload like a No 8. If you can also get on the score-sheet occasionally – Keith Wood averaged a try almost every four games – then you have the complete package.