How to get into rugby

Start here

Club rugby has a strong reputation for taking complete beginners, because positions suit an unusually wide range of body types.

The right first step in rugby is smaller than most beginners assume. Do these things in order.

• Start with touch or tag rugby if you've never played
• Learn to tackle properly at a club session before playing contact
• Get a mouthguard fitted — non-negotiable
• Tell the coach your experience level honestly
• Front-row positions need specific coaching; don't volunteer untrained

What to buy — and what to skip

Buy the minimum, use it for a month, then upgrade what actually limits you.

• Boots
• Mouthguard
• Scrum cap optional
• Shorts and jersey

Where to train

These are the venue types to search for locally. Clubs and gyms in the SportConnect directory list their sports, levels and session times, so you can filter for beginner-friendly options.

• Grass pitches
• Club grounds
• University fields
• Beach and touch pitches

Pick the right format

Beginners who choose the wrong format usually decide the sport isn't for them. Start with Union 15s, or an easier variant.

• Union 15s
• Rugby league
• Sevens
• Touch rugby
• Tag rugby
• Beach rugby

Why it's worth it

What people get out of rugby once they're past the first month.

• Genuine place for every body type
• Touch rugby offers a non-contact entry
• Clubs are famously social off the pitch
• Sevens gives a fast, fitness-focused format
• Clubs actively recruit adult beginners

Find people to train with

Nothing keeps a new sport going like other people expecting you. Create a free profile with rugby as your sport and your level, then browse players, coaches and clubs in your city and message the ones running beginner sessions.

Your first month

1. 01

   Week 1 — touch rugby

   Join a social touch league. You'll learn passing, lines and support play without contact.

2. 02

   Week 2 — club training night

   Most clubs run an open training session. Turn up, say you're new, and you'll be looked after.

3. 03

   Week 3 — contact technique

   Tackling and body position are coached separately for a reason. Do the sessions before playing.

4. 04

   Week 4 — second-team game

   Lower XVs are where beginners play. Availability and effort get you on the pitch.

Frequently asked questions

Find a rugby coach

A few sessions with a coach shortcuts months of guesswork. Every coach on SportConnect lists their sport, location, session formats, rates and availability, so you can compare before you message.

Keep reading

Keep exploring SportConnect