Interchangabilty of players

Some of us with more miles on the clock than we'd care to relate will recall the days when the throw-in was the preseve of the winger and the backs never got involved in the ruck/maul and blah-de-blah old farts' stuff.

We went through the interchangeability of all the back line and the back row and even the second row - more or less.

But we are now getting stuck on specialist tight and loose heads.

Are modern props being developed to learn the importance of interchangeability between roles?

Well Afoa for NZ covers all three front row positions - sort of

Probably the opposite at professional with the trend towards 3 front row replacements on the bench rather than 2.

Back in our day Portnoy the most important guys on the pitch were the half backs. In the modern game most matches are won/lost in the front row therefore it isn't surprising to see the focus on specialisms. Obviously a Court or a Stevens are extremely valuable as bench options but they are the exception rather than the rule IMO.

Back in the 1950`s and 1960`s you have take into consideration the laws.
lineout lifting was illegal,the gap at the base of the lineout did`nt exist until 1965.The scrum could and was wheeled ,followed by the dribbling rush,Mark was legal anywhere on the field goals could be kicked from them.
Direct kicking into touch ,scrum was formed up by rows,the ruck was legal etc.
Props were picked firstly to scrummage,secondly for there line out work.
Jumping a t 2, in the lineout as another lineout option,support work at lineout.It being illegal to lift a player in the lineout,but legal to support him after he`d jumped.
Loosehead,and tighthead were still specialist positions but many could do either head.Hookers were used,to start dribbling rushes at the front of the lineout ,or tap it back to the wing throwing in.then as a Flanker.
Loose forwards ,were often tight/loose in NZ rugby.Many Locks started on the flanks ,later on locks of the in correct build became props or number 8`s.
When they played flankers it was usually right and left.plus 8,not the classic open,blind,number 8.
In NH centres and fly half were specialists as were wings and full backs.
Many wings moved inside when they slowed down.
In NZ rugby ,it was first and second five eights,centre,wing.fullback,
the 5/
8s were interchangable and usually covered full back as well.
The recent trend of fullbacks playing wing evolved from the clasic back 3 functioning as a unit in attack and defence.Being safe under the high ball,and the kick/chase game.