Table 1 Sample demographics, biological maturation and sport-related information for each group of participants (N = 208)

Sample size (n)

41

46

21

108

41

30

29

100

^aAge (yrs)

17.5 ± 0.85

17.4 ± 0.87

17.6 ± 0.81

17.5 ± 0.85

14.9 ± 0.31

14.8 ± 0.43

14.9 ± 0.28

14.9 ± 0.34

Age range (yrs)

15.6–18.9

15.7–18.8

15.4–18.9

15.4–18.9

14.4–15.3

13.9–15.3

14.4–15.3

13.9–15.3

^aYPHV (years)

1.93 ± 0.53

1.64 ± 0.97

1.78 ± 0.56

1.78 ± 0.76

0.64 ± 0.92

−0.01 ± 0.82

−0.05 ± 0.61

0.24 ± 0.87

^aPlaying exp. (years)

4.95 ± 0.74

4.89 ± 0.67

4.74 ± 0.38

4.81 ± 0.74

2.49 ± 0.51

2.23 ± 0.68

2.38 ± 0.56

2.38 ± 0.58

Generic positions

Forwards, n (%)

21 (51.2)

23 (50.0)

–

44

20 (48.8)

16 (53.3)

–

36

Backs, n (%)

20 (48.8)

23 (50.0)

–

43

21 (51.2)

14 (46.7)

–

35

Allrounder, n (%)

–

–

10 (47.6)

–

–

–

11 (37.9)

–

Batsman, n (%)

–

–

6 (28.6)

–

–

–

11 (37.9)

–

Bowler, n (%)

–

–

3 (14.3)

–

–

–

5 (17.2)

–

Wicketkeeper, n (%)

–

–

2 (9.52)

–

–

–

2 (6.90)

–

Specific positions

Props

7

6

–

13

6

5

11

Locks

5

7

–

12

3

4

–

7

Hookers

3

2

–

5

3

1

–

4

Flankers

5

5

–

10

6

4

–

10

Eighth man

1

3

–

4

2

2

–

4

Scrum half

4

3

–

7

6

3

–

9

Fly half

3

3

–

6

2

2

–

4

Centres

5

5

–

10

4

3

–

7

Wingers

4

9

–

13

7

4

–

11

Fullback

4

3

–

7

2

2

–

4