rugby world junior

RUGBY WORLDJUNIOR

THE WORLD'S ONE AND ONLY TEENAGE RUGBY MAGAZINE

May 2013

Schools

Academy Life Ulster Rugby: The right way

Tag RugbyHow non contact sport can benefit

your game?

Will Fraser7up: Fraser dreaming of England call up

Rugby ...Ten of the best rugby schools in the country

£3.75

Academy

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ULSTER ACADEMYTHE GAME UNDER AN ACADEMY REGIME

Have you ever wondered what a rugby academy is really like? Well Rugby World Junior catches up with Ulster Rugby Academy student Andrew Huey to talk about his experiences of academy rugby.

02 May 2013 Rugby World Junior

Say Cheese: The boys pose for their annual team photo.

ULSTER ACADEMY

Based at the Newforge training ground along with the senior Ulster squad, the aim of the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy

is to provide a continuous flow of indigenous rugby talent to perform at Club, European and International standards. Andrew Huey has a promising future ahead of him and is one of few players to be fortunate enough to have trained under the academy regime.“I first got involved with rugby at school from an early age, before joining a local club Armoy RFC in Northern Ireland. I then made a switch to another local club Coleraine RFC. After this I was invited for a trial at the Ulster Academy, where I was selected to join the squad.”Opportunities are limited in terms of joining the set up, as Huey mentions that there are only ways into the academy. “At times the club hold open trials [for aspiring players], otherwise you are spotted [by a scout] playing for your club or

school.”This may come as a surprise that routes into the Ulster set up appear very limited, but the expectation in ability is set very high here. It is expected that selected academy players must have the ability to play rugby for Ireland where the players potential is assessed in the following areas; skill and positional competence, fitness, tactical and game awareness and personal attitude.However, it’s not all doom and gloom. If you’re the sort of person that takes their rugby seriously then an academy is definitely a route worth pursuing should an opportunity present itself. An academy set up is very different to playing for your local club and has its benefits, “Professional coaches as well as coaches that have played at a high level can teach you a lot more than your regular club coach. They can really help push and improve your game further. The experience is better from start to finish, and it is a great opportunity playing the highest level rugby at that age.

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“Training can be tough but it is enjoyable as well. We are trained like professionals, where we are on the fields twice a week but we are also given a plan each as well to stick to and work on at home. It’s pretty serious and there is very little ‘mucking’ about in training because you want to treat it like a game and want everything to go right. “The in depth training sessions are second to none, which really help to push your game forward. We also get a bit of free gear which is also a nice bonus, but the best part of playing with the Ulster Rugby Academy is playing every week for a team I really loved. Not many people can say that.”

Academy

L i f e

Training

Competition is rife at Ulster and the training is tough even at the younger ages, on the other hand if you love your rugby then this should be a bonus. “The academy is very competitive, obviously we are all mates but there is a competitive nature within the squad, fighting for positions and so on, but also we are very competitive in matches. We want to win everything and every match, against school teams or academies, or other local clubs in other leagues. We just want to win.

“The banter is good with the other lads, and the squad every now and then go on days out. It only gets better as you continue [into the older groups].”Tthe atmosphere generated at the academy is special, in surroundings where everybody strives for that same goal. “There have been very few low points at the academy, one of which involved a bad injury to my knee; however there are so many high’s.

Competition

Banter


Hard at work: Marshall and Bowe (above) training

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ULSTER ACADEMYULSTER ACADEMY


Ouchies: Ulster forward halted in his tracks

Newcastle Falcons

Should the play-off system work in the flying Falcons

favour, they can expect a very different challenge in the Aviva Premiership next season. With no disrespect to The Championship, the quality of players and the overall quality of play is substantially high than the challenges that pose a threat in the championship. Should Newcastle hope to avoid a similar fate to London Welsh, who will face life back in The Championship after one season in the Premiership, Dean Richards’ men will have to fight for their lives against the likes Saracens, Leicester and Harlequins. The season won’t be won or lost in matches like this but a likely Friday night trip to the Salford City Stadium against Sale Sharks will be key battles that will undoubtedly.shape Newcastle Falcons’ season.

S E T T O S O A RFALCONS

The Falcons have enjoyed almost a perfect season in the RFU Championship, but with the play-offs the only obstacle left, it seems that Newcastle are already planning for next season.

Bouncebackability is a relatively new word to the English language,

referring to the ability to recover quickly or fully from a setback. What better way to bounce back from last year’s premiership relegation, than to win 21 out of a possible 22 league games, with their only loss coming on the last day of the season killing off their perfect season. Congratulations Newcastle Falcons.The Kingston Park outfit look set to add to the clubs impressive 136 year history, by entering the championship play-offs as favourites for promotion back to the English top flight, the Aviva Premiership.

BouncebackabilityThere can be no question of the Falcons determination to bounce straight back up. Dean Richards has already been active in signing up new recruits for next season, by bringing in some real premiership quality and experienced players. Of course it would be naive and wrong to expect and assume Newcastle’s promotion place – after all this is sport – but there can be no disguising the signings of, former Scotland captain Mike Blair (Brive), fly half Rory Clegg (Harlequins) and England Saxons and Saracens flanker Andy Saull, point firmly to their ambitions of top flight rugby.

Mean Business

The Falcons have a enjoyed a relatively comfortable season in England’s second tier league with fly-half Jimmy Gopperth topping the point scoring table with 233 points. But Newcastle teams of the past have maybe unfairly been criticised and characterised as a one man team. This season, the men black have answered their critics.Disregarding the fact that the clubs to try scorer is in fact the match officials (awarding 12 penalty tries), Allister Hogg tops the squads list touching down seven times this season in the league. There is no doubt that the squad in general have enjoyed their fair share of touch downs, averaging just shy of four tries per game.Let’s not forget the sterling efforts of the forward packs lead by club skipper Will Welch who boast the defence in the league as well. Conceding only six tries at home (22 in total) and conceding 157 point less than the next best team, there is almost no surprise that the Newcastle outfit tower over the remaining 11 teams in the division.

Top Scorers Battle Ahead


THE play-offsLeeds Carnegie v Newcastle FalconsNewcastle Falcons v Leeds Carnegie

Newcastle Falcons

THEREsults

Bristol Rugby 20 v 37 Newcastle

London Scottish 32 v 49 Newcastle

Newcastle 37 v 3 Doncaster Knights

Cornish Pirates 3 v 25 Newcastle

Newcastle 53 v 10 Leeds Carnegie

Moseley 13 v 53 Newcastle

Newcastle 33 v 0 Rotherham Titans

Bedford Blues 20 v 29 Newcastle

Newcastle 29 v 9 Nottingham RFC

Jersey RFC 3 v 24 Newcastle

Newcastle 31 v 15 Plymouth Albion

Newcastle 12 v 9 London Scottish

Doncaster Knights 10 v 28 Newcastle

Leeds Carnegie 9 v 13 Newcastle

Newcastle 36 v 3 Moseley RFC

Newcastle 50 v 3 Cornish Pirates

Rotherham Titans 22 v 34 Newcastle

Newcastle 17 v 15 Bedford Blues

Nottingham RFC 12 v 14 Newcastle

Newcastle 34 v 12 Jersey RFC

Plymouth Albion 10 v 25 Newcastle

Newcastle 14 v 19 Bristol Rugby

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP 12/13

Top Points Scorer

Jimmy Gopperth

233 Points


(Right) Multitasking: Newcastle forwards scoring tries as well as a brick wall defence

Top man: Jimmy Gopperth walks in a simple five pointer

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10 of the best rugby schools

10 of the best rugby schools

Rugby World Junior counts down our top ten performing rugby schools of the season.Picture: Epsom College

0809

10 The future is bright for the Ipswich based college, where

competitive and recreational sport has always had a special

place in the life of pupils at St Joseph’s College. Current champions of the Rosslyn Park Sevens, as this years Colt Championship was cancelled, the Ipswich based College are also proud to

The Grammar School at Leeds is considered one the

leading schools for rugby, situated in the north. The previous headmaster of the school, Mark Bailey was a former England international winger from 1984 – 1990. There is no doubt that his rugby legacy has left the school in good stead, improving year on year.GSAL are the 2011/2012 winners of the national competition, the Daily Mail U15s cup, where nine members of the cup winning squad have been selected to pursue their rugby at city, county and even national level. The school has three rugby pitches and 16 teams across the year groups.

Introduced in 1967, rugby has come a long way at London Oratory School, winning 56 Middlesex cups and producing seven schoolboy internationals. Michael Swift happened to be one of these schoolboy internationals and is currently still playing his rugby with Irish Pro12 side Connacht. The London Oratory School U15s A side have enjoyed a solid season winning over 90% of their matches in all competitions. The Middlesex school organises its own U12/U15 sevens tournament as well as hosting a national sevens competition at U16 levels which is held at London Irish. The London Oratory School frequently enters national tournaments.

ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGEIPSWICH

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

AT LEEDS

LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL

run their own National Schools Rugby Festival, which has run for 26 consecutive years, competing for the De La Salle Cup.The school’s rugby reputation is on the rise and a competitive fixture list against some of the best schools in the south, including Whitgift School and London Oratory School, whilst entering national tournaments ensures there is no lack of competitive rugby.


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Bundle: St Joseph's rucking a turnover

07

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consistent U15A side in the country, winning 18 of the 19

games in all competitions this season. The side’s only defeat came in the Semi Final of the Daily Mail Cup, losing a closely fought battle with eventual winners Warwick School, by a singular point. I guess that’s a

There is no shortage of competitive rugby throughout the age groups at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School as the Wakefield based school has entered no less than seven different tournaments in the past two seasons. In fact they have been very successful. Winners of this year’s junior competition at the Rosslyn Park National Sevens, they have won eight more trophies across the school in the past two seasons.Queen Elizabeth Grammar School has also produced 13 county, club and international schoolboy players. Major sports tours occur every two seasons with the next senior tour planned this year, looking to carve a name for themselves and English grass root rugby in Argentina.

The fields of play where former pupil and cover

star Will Fraser used to roam, Berkhamsted

School keep producing rugby talent as they currently educate England U16s player, Alex Munday.

BERKHAMSTED SCHOOL

QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR SCHOOl

WAKEFIELD

BROMSGROVE SCHOOL

Berkhamsted have proved a difficult school to beat winning nearly two thirds of their fixtures across the age groups. The school regularly tour overseas and hosts the Berkhamsted Sevens, which is the second largest junior sevens tournament in the country, after the national Rosslyn Park tournament, welcoming teams as far afield as France and Canada.

record even former pupils Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Andy Goode (Worcester Warriors) and Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors) would be proud off. The school has recently finished the development of a new multi-million pound sports centre, so facilities are in top condition and resources widely available. With 32 teams available across the school, there is no shortage of opportunity for you to get involved.


Take aim: Bromsgrove Fly-Half strike again

02

0304RGS High Wycombe, once a

study place for former players, Nick Beal (Northampton Saints)

and 2007 Rugby World Cup runner up Tom Rees, the school perhaps more famously helped to sculpt an English Rugby World Cup winner. Scrum half Matt Dawson, attended the school between 1985 and 1991. The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe, features in a highly competitive fixture circuit regularly fielding up to 19 teams on a Saturday morning. Rugby has traditionally been very strong at the RGS producing more than 30 schoolboy internationals in the past 20 years. The school holds an unprecedented three U15 Daily Mail Cup finals in a row and frequently appear in the Rosslyn Park Sevens.

Millfield School have a reputation for producing world class international talent. Stand out former pupils include retired Welsh superstar Gareth Edwards CBE and ex Millfield School rugby captain and current England and Harlequins skipper, Chris Robshaw.The 2012/2013 winners of the St Joseph Festival, focus on the players rather than the result. The main aim of Millfield Rugby is to develop individual players in an enjoyable and challenging environment. They have at least three teams competing in each age group and confidence is built by playing the 15 man game at levels where everybody can contribute. Each team usually plays one match a week and also compete annual in national competitions.

The school has a long tradition of rugby stemming back to the mid 1800s and

have come a long way since. Warwick School thrive

from a formal relationship with Aviva Premiership side Worcester

Warriors, running the elite player developments group for Warwickshire and even host their own annual sevens tournament.

The U13A side sit top of the School Sports performance charts, winning every league game this academic year, narrowly finishing runners up in the junior schools competition at the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens, losing by just two points. Whilst the U13s have enjoyed an impressive season, the U15A side brought back silverware this year staking claim to the Daily Mail U15 Cup. And it doesn’t stop there. Pride is glowing throughout the school as over half of the schools 24 teams are ranked in the top 10 in the country.

RGSHIGH

WYCOMBE

MILLFIELD SCHOOL

WARWICK SCHOOL

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Ole ole ole: Warwick U15s side claiming the Daily Mail Cup

01EPSOM COLLEGE

Rugby at Epsom College is fierce, competing on a strong circuit with fixtures against Tonbridge, Eton and RGS Guildford. On a Saturday afternoon the college regularly fields more than 16 teams across the age groups, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.The sport is overseen by a former Leicester Tigers coach and current Blackheath coach, Andy Wolstenholme. The rugby set up at Epsom College enjoys strong

links with Harlequins and London Irish academies, a programme which has seen five former pupils move into the professional game. Epsom facilitates 11 rugby pitches and teams represent the college frequently in tournaments and yearly on tours overseas, to destinations previously including Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

"We won the Daily Mail U15 cup a few years ago. We also take Sevens seriously and have been fortunate enough to win the Rosslyn Park National Sevens at Colts (U16) level. As well as winning several other lead up tournaments at U16 and U18 levels over the years. Generally, we would hope to get to the later stages of most tournaments."

"Generally, we are quite lucky that a number have played rugby to a reasonable level and they have also been willing to get coaching badges and awards."

"George Lowe (Quins), Jordan Burns (Quins) and Chris York (Falcons) have played through our set up, and are currently all enjoying professional and successful domestic seasons, with their respective teams."

ANDY WOLSTENHOLME: Director of Rugby

Success

Coaches

Pros


High and Mighty: Epsom claim the lineout

Rugby's the winner

SARACENS

“SARACENSWILL WIN THE

PREMIERSHIP TITLEJUST WATCH US”

M A N O F T H E M O M E N T

W I L LF R A S E R

“To play with the England Schoolboy’s (U16’s) was huge for me. From then on I decided that was what I wanted to do and that was the path I wanted to go down,” begins Will, proudly. “I remember thinking at the time that this was pretty special. It was brilliant, ever since I had managed to pick up a ball I knew I wanted to play rugby. As a schoolboy it was a dream come true.”But the 23 year old, Six foot two inches forward has had a long journey from the 15 year old schoolboy who represented England less than a decade ago. In fact his rugby life started when he almost half that age, in primary school, as a prop. “I was about eight, and I had never played rugby before. When I grew up, particularly at the school I was playing at, it was full contact right from the very start. There was no touch or anything like that. I was quite a big lad and it was only three man scrums but I was shoved in as a prop, which was good fun.“The other kids had done a few bits and bobs and were a bit more familiar to playing the game than I was, so I was pretty nervous. I found out quickly, at that age size has a big bearing on the game so luckily I did alright.”

Plastic SaintIt’s almost hard to believe that the flying forward from Watford grew up with Vicarage Road – former home of the Saracens – right on his doorstep, but followed the Northampton Saints. “I have four brothers so when we were growing up we all picked a team to support, but we all made sure we had different teams. Although Sarries was my local team, my younger brother picked it before me, so I ended up getting the Saints.” But fear not all you Saracens fans out there, your number seven insists he used to go along and watch more Sarries games than his chosen Northampton Saints.

Rugby World Junior catches up with Sarries Flanker and future England star Will Fraser, to chat about growing up with rugby and his highlights so far with league leaders Saracens.


Big Boots To FillFraser continued his rugby through his studies at Berkhamsted day and boarding school whilst playing for Amersham and Chiltern rugby club. At the age of 14, Will was persuaded by his father to switch clubs and join Fullerians R.F.C in Watford to further his improvement in the game. “My old man played for their veteran’s side there, so when I was 14, I left Amersham and Chiltern and joined Fullerians R.F.C. At the time they had a much better team.”His game was influenced by none other than Saracens legend and Rugby World Cup Winner, Richard Hill. “Hilly played the same position that I do so he was a big influence on my game and learnt a lot from watching him play.“He did so much work that went unnoticed and un-praised in that England squad, playing alongside Lawrence Dallaglio. I just loved the way he went about playing and he was happy to do all the dog work and not getting much notice for it.”It should be somewhat ironic, that nine years later, Will Fraser should follow in the footsteps of his hero and grab hold firmly of the Saracens Number seven shirt, once held by a club, a country and personal legend.

Tiger TamingPlaying with the Saracens boys is something very special to Fraser. Having grown up with the men in black

playing on his doorstep and supporting them through the hard times of relegation battles and a period of little success, Will is now without a doubt one of the first names on the team sheet in a side which has ripped to shreds the previous league domination possessed by the Leicester Tigers.The flanker has fond memories of playing against the Tigers, “One of my most memorable games was probably beating Leicester earlier on this season at Welford road, coming back from 17-6 down. It had never been achieved before [over-coming a half time deficit of that margin] and it just showed the strength and determination of our squad. Oh and of course my starting debut, last season when we beat Leicester 50 -25 at Welford Road again.”But the relatively short career of the England hopefully has seen many highlights which have not occurred in The Midlands. A strong Heineken Cup charge for the North London outfit has provided more personal memories. “Playing at Thomand Park [Munster] this year in Europe, even though we lost, has been a ground I have always wanted to play at

Interesting Fact

I Used To Be A Metal Head

“When i was 14 I went to a

Metallica gig, on my own!”


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ever since I had started watching rugby, so for me that was a very special moment.”

Rugby’s The WinnerSpecial moments may come and go, but you will always remember the support you get when you’re on that pitch. It doesn’t matter whether your 15 and it’s your dad cheering you on or 80,000 rugby fans packed into Twickenham on a match day. That support behind you is what really helps you get through a match.“Rugby fans are just so passionate, it’s not like football where it can sometimes go over the edge, where home and away fans get split up. With rugby you can put both sets of supporters together, watch the game and generate a great atmosphere. When you get a packed out home stadium with your own fans it’s just a lot better.“The best part on matchday, other than winning, is

running out at the start of the game. Heading out the changing and down the tunnel, it just gives you a massive buzz. The crowd are all stood on their feet and the fans generate a lot of noise. It really takes you back to the whole reason why you do it in the first place, it’s a massive adrenaline rush.”But the Will Fraser story all stems from the one fact that no professional sportsman can be successful without a true love for the sport they are playing in. Rugby is no different and the Watford born bruiser loves the game because, “It’s a good physical sport, you get to run around and smash people about a little bit without getting into trouble, as long as it is within the laws of the game of course. It’s just a brilliant sport.“But especially now playing for Saracens, it’s the friendships you build with other players in the squad and other teams, and that is one thing you will never lose.

Favourite Match

World Cup Final 2003

“The occasion, the drama of

extra time, Johnny’s left foot. It

just had everything.”


In the corner: Fraser touches down during first match at the Allianz Park

SCOUT ALERT: COMING TO A PITCH NEAR YOU

The day to day outings of a Youth Scout can be an exciting one, in search of up and coming players and top quality rugby talent from schools or clubs, but importantly the scouting system presents an unrivalled opportunity for some of rugby’s youngest players to shine. On the other hand let’s not forget that it is also a vital system for youth and academy coaches, like former Harlequins forward and current Quins academy assistant coach Jim Evans, to find the future stars of tomorrow. After his playing career with Harlequins, Evans took up his coaching role with the Youth Academy in 2010. “Having retired from the game, I was asked to help coach the academy boys when I finished playing and enjoyed it. I now feel fortunate to be part of the set up as I realised that working with the younger players to develop the future of the club was what I wanted to do.”For a coach the role of a scout to identify youngsters with potential is invaluable. In the modern day rugby climate, a scout is more than just a ‘bloke in a tracksuit’ standing next to your manager, with the old fashioned

pen and paper approach, selecting you because you scored a try or can run lightning quick. A modern day scout will posses certain qualities or experience, “If you have been involved in the game for a long time as I have you will develop a good understanding of what you are looking for. It is important to not look at young players as they are now, but what potential they may have in the future when they are fully developed and coached.“Sometimes you just get a gut feeling about a player and you go with your instincts,” added Evans.To be truly successful in a chosen area you have to enjoy want you’re doing, whether its school work or playing games on the Xbox with your mates at home, otherwise it is impossible to achieve the heights that you want to reach. Rugby is no different. Whether you are playing in the school leagues or for your local club there are countless of opportunities to be spotted amongst the crowd, and there is no better way than to show you are playing the sport with freedom, enthusiasm and happiness. These attributes are key within the game, not only at younger levels but through all professional careers.

Rugby World Junior catches up with Harlequins academy assistant coach Jim Evans, to discuss the life of a rugby scout and what can do to take your rugby to the next level.

Breaking Through: Tournaments are great opportunities to be noticed

Jim suggests it is important to be professional and learn from your role models as you play and grow up with rugby. “Firstly, watch as much top flight rugby as possible, learn from them and watch how they blend as a team and the decision making of each player. Secondly, be as professional in your approach to rugby as your idols. Eat well, train hard and recover properly.”Unfortunately, as easy as it is to watch your favourite team and your favourite players, then walk over to the park and start copying some of their moves or trying a cheeky chip over the top, the practise all helps but it is not enough.

If you want to take your rugby seriously, take it from a club or school level to a county or academy level, a scout will look for some key qualities or traits in your game. If Jim Evans paid a visit to your school or a tournament you are competing in, he would be looking for the following things, “Top of the list for me would have to be the players’ character. A player with the right character will work hard, listen and want to learn and improve. “After identifying the players’ character, I would typically look at the athleticism and physical attributes of the player, followed by the players rugby ability, decision making and dexterity.”

Of course there are other little more subtle ways to attract the attention of a scout and one of the oldest tricks in the book, are a pair of brightly coloured boots. Stand out from the crowd and force him to watch you. You never know he might not remember your name, but he will remember the kid with the fluorescent yellow boots, leave an impression.

Playing for your school team provides some of the better opportunities for spotting talented players. Without a doubt your local club team is a must and county scouts regularly visit local games, but don’t rule out playing for your school team. The vast majority of schools which have extracurricular rugby after hours or at weekends, frequently enter local and national tournaments which are prime hot spots for scouts to be lurking amongst the spectators.The Harlequins youth set up particularly like this approach to find potential young stars. “It certainly helps when the players are playing in tournament conditions as we will get to see them more than once

JIM's TIPS

Be Professional

Tournaments Attributes

Get Noticed

in a short period of time, playing against different levels of opposition. It really shows a players attitude and character to the game but also their rugby ability against varying opponents,” highlights assistant coach Jim Evans.

Jim Evans is wiser than most at selecting fresh talent and there are very few better than he is, so heed these words of wisdom.


(Left) True Style: Stade Francais know how to get noticed

Eagle Eyed: Hunting

for fresh talent

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TAG RUGBY

CreativityThe fast paced atmosphere of tag rugby provides ideal conditions for a creative spark to flow. It is impossible to run straight through an opposing defender because you will be tackled. Therefore it is vital that you can create something ‘special’.

The game allows the opportunity to create and perform strategic moves like looped passes, scissors or dummy runs to try and make the break and beat the line of defence.

The myth of touch rugby is for ‘girls’ should once and for all be erased from existence. Rugby World Junior explores how in fact touch rugby can make you a better player, whether you are professional or playing for your local club or school.

Touch rugby is more than just a game. It’s an art form and skill. By applying the standard rugby

rules but eliminating tackling and kicking, touch rugby becomes a game of

strategic considerations, team work building and individual brilliance. It is seen that although touch rugby is classed as its own individual sport, it can greatly progress your abilities as a full contact player. Through participation the sport can help you develop almost every aspect of the game from attacking and committing defenders to making the perfect tackle.

Rugby World Junior runs through the five key aspects of tag rugby,

whether it's being more creative and more alert, to how tag rugby in

fact helps you to sculpt the 'perfect' tackle. These tips not only help you at

the tag game, but improve your game with any version of rugby and of any age.

IMPROVE YOUR CONTACT GAME WITH THE BASICS


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On the ball: Head up and looking for the pass

Commit The DefenderFixing the defender is a term used, referring to committing a defender before making a pass. It is a basic requirement of a top player to take a defender out of the game in order to create spaces. It sounds simple but it is a tough skill to perfect and perform every time.

Not having to commit to tackles in touch rugby makes drawing defenders all the more important to perfect, in order to make that killer pass or create the space for a team mate to burst through an open gap. It is a perfect platform to practise the skill and perfect it before returning to the Union game.

Sculpting The TackleOn the defence? Don’t think that pulling a bit of ribbon off the opponents shorts is the final move. In fact subconsciously you are actually perfecting the art of tackling. Having the ‘tags’ clipped on either side of the players shorts presents the opportunity to position your body perfectly for a proper tackle.

By aiming low you are able to fully commit to the touch tackle, which allows you to perfect and practise the ideal body positioning to make a safe and solid tackle in the contact game. Practising the correct body positioning is key because missed tackles result in opposition opportunities and more importantly bad positioning may result in an injury to yourself.

Physical FitnessTouch rugby is a great platform for physical fitness. Compared to Rugby Union the absence of the slow phases like scrum’s, ruck’s and lineout’s, allow the touch version of the sport to be free flowing action packed and a high energy game.

The Tag game provides an effective stage to vastly improve your personal fitness within a fun and enjoyable environment. Not only can the sport improve your fitness it can also improve your co-ordination and speed of alertness on the field.

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Avoid The Lazy Pass

Of course by obeying the laws of the game, passing of the ball must always be made backwards, so how can touch rugby possibly improve your game. Well by making the ‘lazy’ or ‘flat’ pass in touch rugby will get you nowhere as you will be tackled instantly as the pace of the game will be a lot slower. Touch rugby encourages running from deep and running on to the ball.

These skills practised in the sport can be transferred successfully into the contact game. This is key to help crash over the game line and breaking the first tackle, creating opportunities for offloads or even one on one scenario’s with the full-back.


Textbook tackle: Hit hard and low

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