number eight

plural number eights

1. ball gamesA box-to-box midfielder.

   Naturally, Franco plays as a number eight (a midfielder who has both attacking and defending responsibilities), but he also has the capability to play as a defensive midfielder.

   2021 December 21, Caleb Adams, “Alan Franco 'is like the cement in the midfield'”, in Charlotte FC

2. ball gamesA player in the scrum, who controls the movement of the scrum, and can pick up the ball exiting the scrum; eighthman.

   But Ireland dug out a gutsy response and applied pressure which resulted in number eight Heaslip diving over in the corner to revive home hopes.

   2011 February 13, Lyle Jackson, “Ireland 22-25 France”, in BBC

3. ball gamesThe batsman who bats eighth.