Pilers in defence

[Holycow]

What do people mean when they talk about teams not having pilers in their defence?

 

[irelandfan123]

People standing beside the ruck to stop a pick and go or to protect the halfback.... I'm sure someone will go into more detail

 

[Holycow]

Same as gaurding the ruck

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Ye

Diagram will explain.

 

[Haysie]

In that diagram that Cymro's thrown up (both metaphorically and not), the "Pillars" go after and shut down any pick-and-drive activity from the ruck. They stand as close as they can to the last man's feet so as to leave very little gap. It is a sin for them to be beaten on the inside.