Rugby 101: All the basics of Rugby - All you need to know to watch your first game

Welcome to "Rugby 101: All the Basics of Rugby - All You Need to Know to Watch Your First Game"! If you're new to the exhilarating world of Rugby Union or simply want to enhance your understanding of the game, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive video is designed to equip you with all the essential knowledge to enjoy and appreciate Rugby to the fullest.
In this beginner-friendly tutorial, we cover everything you need to know about how Rugby works, from the basic rules and gameplay to the fundamental elements that make it such a unique and thrilling sport. We'll walk you through the intricacies of lineouts, scrums, rucks, and mauls, ensuring you grasp the mechanics of these crucial aspects of the game.
Our informative video also explains the layout of the Rugby field, providing insights into the various zones and markings that form the foundation of the game. Additionally, we'll introduce you to the different Rugby positions, exploring the roles and responsibilities of both the powerful Forwards and the skillful Backs.
Whether you're wanting to learn how to play Rugby, a sports enthusiast or someone seeking to broaden their horizons, this video is your gateway to understanding Rugby Union. We present the rules and concepts in a clear and accessible manner, making it easy for beginners to follow along and comprehend.
Join us as we unravel the Laws of Rugby Union, offering valuable insights into the regulations that govern the sport. By the end of this tutorial, you'll have the confidence and knowledge necessary to watch your first Rugby game with a newfound appreciation for the strategies, athleticism, and camaraderie that define this incredible sport.
Make sure to subscribe to our channel for more engaging content on Rugby, including in-depth analyses, match highlights, and further exploration of advanced tactics and techniques.
Keywords: Rugby, Positions, Rugby positions, Rugby Forwards, Rugby Backs, learn, Laws of Rugby, Laws of Rugby Union, Basics of Rugby Union, Learn rugby the easy way, Rugby for beginners, All you need to know about Rugby union
Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey into the world of Rugby Union. Prepare yourself to witness the intensity, skill, and passion of this captivating sport like never before!
• Rugby 101: Rugby posit... - Link to video explaining all the positions of Rugby Union

[@couchrugby]

Hi Everyone :),.Feel free to show your support and buy me a haircut >>>> buymeacoffee.com/couchrugby

[@smashingturnips5353]

Please Can you explain why the ref gave south africa 🇿🇦 a penalty at the end of the game with England? I am trying to understand scrum rules more. Please Be as specific as possible please because I really don’t understand. For example which player for England was at fault?

[@Hugh_de_Mortimer]

About time with the haircut 😂 😂

[@joeyfischler1031]

​@@smashingturnips5353penalty was for "not driving straight". The prop's primary role is to hold up the scrum. If instead they decide to try to destabilise and rip apart the opposite front row, at the cost of stability, then they are penalised, because collapsed scrums are dangerous and slow down the game. Genge dropped to his knee, but then regained his footing. Then, both he and the SA prop angled inwards. But because Genge was the first to show instability, he was penalised instead of Koch. It's a very tough call, but justifiable.

[@kuwaitisnotadeployment1373]

Thanks bro you explained it very clearly I watched a differant video first and I was more confused after I watched it than before ✌🏻

[@laphil1969]

Your hair is PERFECT!

[@MarcoScola]

As an American, I did not grow up with rugby. But allow me to tell you a quick story. Last week I was channel surfing and came across the Wales/Argentina World Cup match. I had never watched a full rugby game before. In fact, my only knowledge was the movie Invictus and the awesome amount of Springbok jerseys I saw on my trip to South Africa. I have to say I was thoroughly hooked. I can’t get enough of it! I stumbled across this channel trying to learn more and you are by far the best at explaining the great game. Can’t wait to dive further into my new game!

[@smashingturnips5353]

Enjoy. Imagine usa making it far in a rugby world cup. Would be interesting

[@michaelandcarmenmaguire1108]

For me, it was a trip to Ireland. I watched rugby on the plane on the way there and it essentially ruined American Football for me. If a local pub carries the Six Nations tournament matches live, I encourage you to go. One of the things I love most about the sport of rugby is the awesome fanbase. I've shared tables with Scottish and Welsh fans many times and have truly enjoyed the conversations. Some pubs also carry the Champions Cup matches. Pick a local club to follow and enjoy those as well. As you mentioned SA, I'll add that local clubs from SA now compete in the European Champions Cup league.

[@MarcoScola]

@@michaelandcarmenmaguire1108 thanks for the ideas man! I’m excited to dive in!

[@nigelwillson6096]

As a South African, born and bred, to becoming an American citizen 30 years ago, I miss watching local SA leagues on weekends and the contests between Wallabys, the AB and the Bokke. However, we watch the European Heineken Cup, the English Gallagher Premiership and the Six Nations Tournament instead. You'll find many Springboks playing for various teams up north. All Northern Hemisphere contests, though not as vigorous as the Southern Hemisphere Tri-Nations tournament are still very entertaining. Rugby is like a religion in SA. Geniet dit ou boet.

[@user-bi9jj6gz1q]

Pretty much same thing happened to me.First game I watched was France vs Springboks in world cup. It was awesome so i started searching for north american leagues and founf MRL . I love this game. As a canadian I ate lived and breathed Hockey but they have ruined it. They may was well play by female leugue rules with no hitting. Man they destroyed an awesome game. Thk God for Rugby!!!

[@greenWhalerpg]

Watching this becaus my son is learning to play rugby and I want to support him. The one comment I want to make here is a big fat kudos for including Women's Rugby in the footage here. I admire the game a lot after being taught how much respect is the esssence of the game, I'm impressed by the fact your video lacks any sign of machismo one might expect in sports. Conside rme hooked on the game. :D

[@couchrugby]

Brilliant! Yes key to attracting people to the game is to show that us Rugby people aren't necessarily the stereo type they may expect, and make new people feel more welcome, including women! Also Welcome:)

[@samuelbrisseau2694]

Your Rugby 101 is just what I needed ! I invited german colleagues to barbecue and watch the RWC 2023 opener this evening. I will let your videos run during the BBQ so that they can get a bit more familiar with the game. Thank you!

[@couchrugby]

Amazing! I really hope it helped. Also hope the game was entertaining.

[@vickilindberg6336]

As an American ,who does not care for football, Rugby is a challenge & a joy. Thank you so much for the education.

[@mohammad-3mk]

Try to watch the beautiful game

[@thecosmiccastaway8960]

I am an American in this video. Absolutely started me on my rugby journey.

[@jbliborio]

I´m Brazilian and rugby is a not popular as footbal and when people ask me about material to understand the game and speaks English I recomend your videos. Thank you so much for them and your service to us that loves rugby.

[@angiekimel]

Thanks for taking the time to do this! My son has invited me to watch him play in a college rugby game tonight…my first experience with it. He’s quite excited, so I couldn’t say no. I have a lot to learn, but at least I won’t be completely lost during the game now. 😁

[@couchrugby]

Well I hope it helped at least in some way and you got to enjoy the game :)

[@brendonlepage5576]

Since refs got mikes I've realised how much they control the players (in a good way) and also how kind they are and take time to explain their decisions to the captains and players. The players are respectful to the ref. It's so nice to see that. I wouldn't have expected it considering how brutal the game is.

[@couchrugby]

Yes I actually think it is because it is brutal that there is respect for rules and authority otherwise the game would be unplayable. Also respect is a big part of Rugby culture, competing priorities in the professional game does intrude on those values sometimes, but it is very strong at armature and grassroots level where people just play for the love.

[@emmaheuchert6459]

This was super helpful, thanks! And echoing what others have said-I really appreciate that you included women’s rugby and teams at various levels! Though of course, Springboks come first 🇿🇦😉

[@couchrugby]

Glad it helped :) I also have to stop myself from over using Springboks in my examples. But I just kinda like them :)

[@Dsouth03]

With the USA just getting their own Rugby league this has taught me a lot! Appreciate all your work mate.

[@pistachiopoptarts]

Finally, a solid, concise explanation to what previously struck me as nothing but complete chaos and insanity.👍

[@DaveMcG]

Thanks mate. My wife and her family are South African, and I can only bluff my way through so many rugby conversations, so your videos are great! A detailed video on penalties would be great, because it’s the main thing I don’t understand - why a penalty is being awarded. Congrats on another World Cup 👍🏻

[@johnmartin7370]

This is a great idea. I often try to introduce friends to Rugby by brining them to a match but end up missing the match explaining this stuff as the match progresses. Now I will send them this link and enjoy the match :-D

[@couchrugby]

Amazing. If we manage to convert one of your friends it would be a win :)

[@Amanda-is9vf]

Awesome explanation! As an American I visited my family & stayed in NZ every summer. Learned and played rugby with my cousins. But as an adult I’m teaching my young sons who are now interested in playing Rugby. Much appreciated!

[@DanielMorales-eu7ok]

Your content is amazing, it's allowing me (an amateur espectator) to enjoy France's 2023 Rugby World Cup at a different level each day. Greetings from Spain by a new colombian rugby fan.

[@rittherugger160]

I'm an American that started playing rugby in '72. Over the decades I also coached and refed. I've a lot of experience explaining rugby to other Americans. I commend you on this video but want to point out one thing I've never seen explained in ANY video of this type. As a rule Advantage is foreign to Americans. They are used to watching 'Gridiron'. It's very static so when calling a penalty the ref will ask the non offending captain; 'What do you want? The penalty or the play?" We (not I but we) tend to think that when the whistle is blown the infraction had happened at that very moment. They are confused because they think that the infraction occurred at that very moment but they didn't see it. Please cover this in future video's. Perhaps add it onto the end of this one. Include the fact that the ref announces an advantage and how that can affect what the attacking team does before the whistle is blown.

[@DanielsFishing]

Good work boet . Need more rugby guys like you !

[@couchrugby]

Thanks my man. Appreciate the love!

[@user-wv8cv7fm7k]

Thank you. Just what I needed as the mum in a rugby family who needs to up my understanding. Really clear and concise. As a teacher I appreciate your explantion and delivery. Many thanks.

[@alessandromura4739]

Just fell in love with this amazing sport and your videos helped me so much enjoying my first Six Nations! Thank you!

[@kaveirinhaz]

I´m a South African living in Portugal and this video is great, so I can teach my son Rugby Union Rules! Baie dankie! Go Bokke!!

[@MattHunter-vm6nt]

Thank you for making this video! I grew up with rugby but often find it hard to effectively explain it to friends! I now just send them this!

[@ianarnett]

Congratulations on a superb explanation of rugby. Having watched others, particularly the awful RFU one, it’s great to see someone actually explaining the game with proper examples! This is the best one I have seen.

[@stingray7849]

Way better than American football in my opinion.More continuous flow to the game. The average play in football lasts about 5 seconds then they stand around for 30. You spend hours watching commercials and dead play, and only about 12 minutes or so out of 60 watching the actual game. In terms of watching actual continuous play. Rugby is where it’s at. Along with the fact that there is very little protective equipment. Much admiration for rugby players.

[@jacobmarley2417]

completely agree, id also add the constant babying of players in football now (see roughing the passer) are fundamentally detrimental to the game.

[@marvinacklin792]

I discovered rugby a long time ago while on a surf trip to Fiji during a World Cup. The place was going nuts. First exposure to the all blacks and springboks. Hooked ever sense.

[@couchrugby]

Yeah wow that would have been a lot of Rugby culture in one hot. They love Rugby in Fiji so much don't they and they play the game the romantic way too, they play it the way people like the game to be played I believe. I grew up on Springbok All black rivalry, so i was always going to be hooked on the sport, i had no chance haha

[@muhammadsyaifulimransyaifu6069]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! Ive learned a lot. Just got into the game due to both my little brothers are representing Kuala Lumpur rugby team. Trying to understand better and give support

[@Calida]

I just got into rugby this year, just blindly enjoying the chaos. Now I'm trying to learn the basics, and this video was super helpful. Thank you!

[@lpdude72]

Mate, as someone who's knowledge in the game is patchy and trying to explain the game to my wife, this is such a refreshing and well constructed video series covering the great game. Please keep it up. Explain not only the positions but also the various things that take place during the game (I.e. Mauls, etc.) Laws and even basic strategies. Thanks for starting this channel, it definitely has what it takes to to be the "go to" channel if you want to get a friend or relative into the sport. On a side note; don't cut your luscious locks! ;)

[@couchrugby]

Hi Tobias :) Thankyou, I do not plan on stopping soon, There is just so much content that can be covered in rugby and I want to take people deeper and deeper but start them from a place that is not overwhelming. Also don't worry I do not plan on cutting it short anytime soon, my partner would not be happy haha

[@kieranleekentish9704]

Played rugby as a kid but picking up the game tomorrow as a 26 year old for the first time time in years. Perfect refresher, got me pumped to get back to the sport I loved so much

[@anrayvannelson6079]

I'm watching this because I just bought tickets to a Stormers VS Ospreys game. Both my brothers played rugby growing up and my mom and I would always go and support them at their matches. I cheered for them but NEVER really knew what I was cheering for. This is a great 101 for myself and my husband. I'm going to listen to this continually leading up to the Stormers game. Thank you. This was very helpful👌🏼

[@persephonecanedo742]

.... this is my new hyperfixation....i am so happy you made this video!

[@anialee4522]

I really appreciate these videos as a beginner player and look forward to watching all the future videos you’ve mentioned

[@couchrugby]

Thankyou Ania :) I hope you are enjoying everything rugby so far! It's great if my videos are helping you on your rugby journey in some small way 😃

[@TheHiltonblake]

Hey, there!.. South African, here!.. Just stumbled upon your channel, and I'm very impressed by your explanation of rugby.. What I love about it, is the simplicity with which you explain what rugby is all about.. Such a video is perfect for those who don't understand rugby, yet, but wants to learn.. Keep up the good work!.. Cheers, mate!..

[@dizilizid8281]

Great, simple to understand video boet. Going to show my son who is playing primary school rugby.

[@keimahane]

Very well presented, I believe anyone could follow this video and enjoy watching Rugby much more. Especially now that the World Cup is on. Thank you for this 101 series, I am going to tell my friends who do not watch Rugby so they know why I love it o much :)

[@keyaonamasoko]

Thank you for the video. I'm going to watch South Africa vs England

[@melodybipolar]

Thank you for using so much Springbok footage it never gets old😊

[@couchrugby]

I cant help it!

[@jackmchammocklashing224]

I have watched the Six Nations for years, and never had a clue what was happening or Why ! Just watched it to see what team won, Now thanks to you I know what the game is about, and how it works THANK YOU

[@kirkhepburnmiddleagedwhiteguy]

Rugby is a great competitive game. Thanks for helping me understand how it works. Excellent video.

[@rontiemens2553]

Another American here, I’ve seen a few Rugby matches, and I love it even though until I saw this video I knew very little about it. But I have seen some matches from recent rugby world cups, including the present World Cup, and I find it absolutely electrifying. I think it is WAY better than American football. I’m am really looking forward to Saturday’s World Cup final, especially now that I have watched this great video!

[@jacobmarley2417]

Thank you very much for this video. When I was younger American football was by far my favorite sport but it has gone vastly downhill as far as the rulesets go in the last 20 years. Rugby is in my opinion , the greatest team sport ever devised .

[@couchrugby]

Rugby really is a great team sport.

[@oh2566]

Been watching rugby premiership for a year now and still have so many questions, but u answered a lot of those. Well done sir and thanks

[@couchrugby]

Happy it helped. :)

[@MikeC-my4lf]

Where's our Mauling video? Greatest freaking name of a play in all of sports...Maul... freaking great! Im now in love watching Rugby (union)...years ago some Aussie told me i should watch a game...i found one on tv... didn't understand it...a kick went through the goal post and some guy in a hunting safari hat came out, took both hands, made what looked like a finger pistol with each hand, and brought his elbows diwn to his waist...fingers shooting forward...uh...what was that?

[@mikeoxmaul9675]

Don’t know rugby so well. But I love and respect the game! Follow the MLR, NRL, URC, Premiership and other leagues around the world!

[@iamtheshaker]

I've been a casual rugby viewer for years, but I'd love for you to elaborate on details on kicking for field position (kicking into touch, when it can be played vs a lineout, etc)

[@elizabethsmith552]

Excellent, brilliant explanations and video examples. Your videos are helping me to enjoy the World Cup so much more. Thank you.

[@MaraDeana10]

Thanks for making these videos. I just started school rugby and I'm going to a match tomorrow after only being at one training ever.

[@Sam-py5zp]

Hey man, American rugby newby here. I just started playing rugby and your videos have been super helpful, love the content. I saw that you have been making some videos on forward positions and I was wandering if you could make a video on playing 8 man? My coach told me he wants me to play 8 when I am experienced enough but I have not been able to find many videos on the role. Cheers man and thanks for the vids.

[@couchrugby]

Hi Sam. Don't worry they are on the way. I plan on doing every position :)

[@bruceintas]

Excellent my man. Played when young in Sydney. Still love it.

[@mjm1987]

Looking forward to that ruck/maul video. I find that part of the game quite hard to understand and what's legal and what isn't. It would be great if you could find some examples on players breaking some specific rules and explain what they did wrong, and maybe some plays that look illegal but actually aren't - if you can find any. Now that I think of it, might add scrums to the list. I never get to understand why causing the scrum to rotate is illegal (and how do they even determine who's at fault) yet it's something that the defense tries to do and is awarded a scrum of their own for it ^^'

[@couchrugby]

It is in the works :). Working on how to best lay out so that is the easy to follow

[@laralynnewilliams7343]

Thanks so much for the insightful video. I have spent many years watching the game with my father but still find the rules very confusing :). PS. love the hair!

[@radokanalev4521]

Just found your guides today while prepping for rugby practice (I'm new to rugby). You are an absolute star mate! Thank you!! Can you pls make a video on the most common types of fouls/penalties? When I watch a game, 80% of the times there's a penalty I stop the game to go Google what happened.

[@simplyalexander3317]

@couchrugby for someone like myself starting to embrace rugby (thanks to the world cup), I'm grateful for your videos. It's very informative, simple & engaging. Keep up the great work.

[@couchrugby]

Thankyou:) appreciate it

[@MikeOB777]

I'm relatively new to the game as a fan and absolutely love your video(s) which shed light on the less obvious bits. Gr8 work keep it up. Mike 👍

[@couchrugby]

Thanks Mike :) I plan too, I am enjoying this and people seem to be responding pretty positively, so hopefully I can keep this going for some time longer.

[@themcclure]

Thanks! Definitely a vote for the maul video.

[@ridmaransara6231]

good video.keep up the great work.share videos about other positions also.

[@couchrugby]

Thankyou :) They are on the way :)

[@usefulstuffq6364]

Great video, thanks! I'll have more fun watching the world cup now armed with a better understanding of the ruck!

[@couchrugby]

Amazing! You have picked a great WC to get involved, it is going to be the most hotly contested yet!

[@sandeepramlakshmanan3646]

Awesome video and clear explanations. I used to watch when I was living in India(though India does not play Rugby) without completely understanding it. I live in the US now and I have lost touch. Figuring out how to watch all the games on Tv from here. I have a small request. Can you do a similar video for the league version as well? thanks in advance.

[@christaylor1053]

Minor detail but I LOVE how the scrum sets as you say set @7.28. If that was intentional, very well played.

[@couchrugby]

haha yes Chris, it was intentional, I was trying to mimic what happens in a game.

[@5lstrat537]

great series of videos. I'm in England watching World Cup. Thanks for the explanation

[@couchrugby]

Welcome!

[@user-ug6rl5lr3l]

Thank u sm for this I have traing coming up so this will reall help

[@hablin09]

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for. Most important information presented by a very attractive dude. Perfect! 👍 Lots of love from Germany :)

[@couchrugby]

Haha thanks, happy the video helped. :)

[@fwikyt]

Good videos looking forward to more. Hey, could you make a video about how to defend a team past 50 effectively.

[@couchrugby]

I would say they are equally important. you spend less time scrumming but the time you spend scrumming has more significant impact then general play.

[@lwaziemkhize6519]

Thanked you man you helped alot

[@keithbrowne1308]

Could you also do a video about kicking and what the various objectives are?

[@carlmanvers5009]

Rugby Explained For Americans: Imagine a game with no special teams and two teams who are playing both offence and defense. There are no set numbers of downs, you get unlimited, as long as you can keep possession. Every time a tackle is made a new line of scrimmage is automatically formed and both teams compete for the ball with no break in play. Lines of scrimmage are contests for the ball. There are three types on the field, rucks, mauls and scrums. There is one for when the ball goes out of play: a line out. All your passes have to be lateral, and you can contest kicks down field. If you can imagine this game, you are about 75% on the way to understanding rugby. The rest is detail.

[@kieran4550ify]

How are the 50-30s ( I think that’s the name given to them!) working out? Are they adding more entertainment to games? I watch rugby league and a 40-20 is a huge feat both in terms of skill and tactics. I remember in the 2013 rugby league championship final. Sheffield were 12-0 down to Batley on the 60th minute. Half-back Dominic Brambani unleashed a 40-20 which Sheffield subsequently scored from and inspired a 19-12 win. Loving the rugby union World Cup and great series of videos!

[@thedethrocker8858]

What great sincere educational channel!!! keep at it buddy!!!!! also thanks!!

[@couchrugby]

Thankyou and you are welcome :)

[@ryanzacsanders]

great videos, please keep them coming. subscribed 👍

[@couchrugby]

Thankyou :)

[@waltercook4868]

Why aren't the player's arms and knees covered in grass burns? Artificial turf must be a killer. An American here, new to all this. Thanks for teaching us. Commendable mission on your part.

[@couchrugby]

Thanks Walter. I never actually thought of that lol. my best guess is rugby is a winter sport and the grounds are softer that time of the year in most places. Artificial turf is still pretty new in Rugby, opinions are split whether they are good for Rugby or not.

[@mediocrefunkybeat]

I played for many, many years. Most of the pitches are grass or are grass with a small percentage of artificial turf. Artificial turf has only been introduced very recently. As @couchrugby says, the ground tends to be softer too due to the time of year the game is played. One of my nightmares as a player was towards the end of the season (April and May in the Northern Hemisphere) after a week of Sun. The ground would be rock hard and as a forward, I spent a lot of time on it. Painful. In fact I remember one or two matches being called off for safety reasons as a result.

[@bnastali]

Rugby 7 as played in the Olympics looks so different than this explanation. Liking how wild it all seems.

[@couchrugby]

yes, I am very 15's focused atm. I will be expanding and doing some 7's moving forward

[@claudioalbornoz5588]

Please, explain every situation leading to a penalty, specially at scrum. Thanks.

[@upicked9598]

Those COVID protective barriers at 12:55 lol

[@andrewdunckley]

Lekker explanation... naas job...

[@nigelnyoni8265]

It's basically coordinated chaos with rules to maintain safety. Pure athleticism of all kinds. Speed, strength, agility, hand-eye, etc

[@couchrugby]

You my friend understand!

[@HeavyMetal-HardRock]

I always see them pitch the ball to the left backwards or to the right backwards. I never see them pitch it directly backwards to the player directly in back of you and I never see them jump or dive over other people

[@LaumanuAhovelo]

Can you do one for intercepting ? , these are really good

[@Ma4xir]

I’m going back to rugby again played for 6 years had a 2 year break I need a rule check

[@chriswharton]

Really helpful for me, who was raised on Aussie Rules football. Thanks very much. Excellent.

[@robertodibaggio8181]

Is love at first sight possible in Sport? that's what happened to me first time i saw the World's Greatest Sport.. we found each other too late for me to ever play, but like all true love, better late than never.. 😃😃

[@panamantoine]

Great content. Thanks!

[@dominicaustin6016]

Great video, thank you

[@bluestripetiger]

I dont understand punting in rugby--sometimes it seems that a team is making progress running the ball up the field and then all of a sudden a player will punt the ball and give up possession to the other team?

[@jurgenvandesanden2490]

Thank you 🙏

[@MrVolosong]

Still a rugby newby after watching for several years, and am still learning how the game is played. You mention in this video that there are four ways to score, (i.e., try, conversion, penalty kick, drop goal). Is there not a fifth, the penalty try, worth seven points?

[@couchrugby]

Haha we are all always learning how the game is played. I don't think it ever stops. Regarding the penalty Try, yes you are right, I did consider it, but decided to leave it out of scope of this video as I did not want to over complicate things. My aim here was just to arm people with enough knowledge to be able to watch a game :)

[@nedludd7622]

It seems that would be good for a try to equal two penalty goals or drops and that a conversion be one point. How would that change the game? Do you have a video about penalties. Simple penalties are rather clear, and maybe even yellow cards, but when does a yellow become a red? I have seen some apparent inconsistencies in those rulings. For example, accidental head contact compared to aggressive avoidable. Also hitting a player in the air. I saw one in the current world cup where it appeared that a defensive player was pushed into the path of a player catching in the air and the catcher came to a hard landing. There was a red card for the defensive player who didn't seem to be paying attention to the catch but to the opposing player in front of him.

[@swmtd9484]

I'm from Hong Kong. Thanks so much for the explanation ❤ I have a question: Stade Francais (10) 24-27 (14) Leicester What do the numbers in the brackets mean?

[@couchrugby]

I think it is most likely the score at half time 👍

[@swmtd9484]

@@couchrugby thanks a lot!!!

[@Instasamps]

Thank you, that was a great video. I’ve never really had much of an interest for rugby union. But I’m trying to give it a go. Thank you 👏👏👏

[@Steve-yf9my]

Thanks!

[@couchrugby]

Thankyou much appreciated :)

[@FighteroftheNightman]

Ok i knew there was a difference in positions i just didnt understand what it was but that makes sense and why my platoon leader had me play a wing position against the aussie army folks when we were deployed to iraq (ive always been a fast and kinda skinnier tall guy)

[@dandylion188]

Me again. 🙄 Besides taking possession, what are you trying to achieve in the scrum? Just drive the opposing team straight back? Or are you trying to turn them away from the side to which the play will develop?

[@couchrugby]

Hey mate. my answer to all the questions are YES. most importantly it is not to move backwards, otherwise everything you do from there is under pressure. Secondly if you can then win enough dominance to move them backwards and you forwards you are setting up your team to play on the front foot with space and time to make decisions. Then if you are really dominant you can start manipulating the scrum orientation sneakily if the situation calls for it.

[@rp7155]

Another great video!

[@couchrugby]

Thankyou!

[@TheAseer2020]

I wish scrums where enforced by the letter of the law. I think fair scrums would make the game more exciting.

[@couchrugby]

Yes one thing in did not make clear in the video is that the contest in the scrum is not so much about winning the ball but it is about the quality of your ball. It is very hard to launch an effective attack if you are playing of the back of a scrum moving backwards.

[@user-se7es6uc8v]

Do you know why a try is so named? Well, back in the very early days of the game, points could only be scored by kicking the ball between the posts and over the bar. If a player managed to get through the opposition and 'touchdown' the ball beyond the posts it meant the team could have an unopposed TRY to kick the ball over. It's why the distance between the try line and the dead ball line is different at different grounds, just depends on how much ground is available. It's also the origin of the touchdown in American football. Also, in America it's called football even though nobody passes the ball by foot, because it's derived from rugby football, the game evolving from football (soccer).

[@jankoszuta9835]

Great video

[@kesselrunheroj8497]

How does a rugby game start? What are the rules related to how the game starts? What is a Touch line and what does "in Touch" mean?

[@couchrugby]

Hi Kessel, The game starts whit one team kicking of from the half way line, either team can retrieve/receive the kick off provided the ball has traveled all the way to the 10m line, which is 10m from the half way line, you can see me indicate where that is on the field when i go through the lines of the field :) The touch lines are the lines that indicate 'out of bounds', so in to touch is also a way of saying 'out of bounds'.

[@mdtwheels]

When a player gets sent to the sin bin is the team down a man on the field like hockey? or can another player take his spot?

[@couchrugby]

Hi. Yes the team goes down a player for the duration the card is in effect. 10min for yellow and rest of game for a Red under the Current laws.

[@Upsideround]

I love watching it and I still don't get it. But I can imagine explaining American Football to an Aussie would be the same. Good on ya for trying to get a yankee to understand the game.

[@timedriverable]

Good to know especially now with the evrery four years of rugby world cup happening now.

[@couchrugby]

Also Rugby is on all year round, so if the bug bites, there is rarely a weekend where a professional competition is not happening, so dont be afraid to get involved more than every 4 years :)

[@blueyedmedic911]

I’m confused on 1 thing. When a team has control of the ball and there working their way down the field passing laterally they get tackled they get up. They do it again they get tackled they get up. My question is is there a number of tries that they get before the other team gets the ball or they have to kick it away to the other team. i’ve never understood this point here.

[@couchrugby]

In Rugby union, which this is, no you have to lose or have the ball taken feom you. In Rugby league you get 5 tackles than possession gets relinquished.