Laws
Why the Ball Goes Back After a Rugby Knock-On
Learn why a rugby knock-on sends play back to a scrum, where that scrum is set, and how deliberate forward play or…
The full match list
All articles
Browse rugby explained one question at a time: from the purpose of a restart to the roles and patterns that shape a match.
Positions
Flanker or Number Eight: Two Jobs at the Back of the Scrum
Flanker or number eight: follow how each role shapes the scrum exit, protects the ball and chooses a route into loose…
Formats
The Rugby Lineout’s Changing Shape: From Throw-In to Set Play
The rugby lineout changed from a simple restart into a planned contest. Learn to read its movement, player spacing and…
Tactics
The Myth That Every Rugby Kick Gives Away Possession
Rugby kicks do not all surrender the ball. Learn how territory, contestable kicks and clearances change the next…
Match Reading
Watching a Rugby Match Without Chasing the Ball
Watching a rugby match without chasing the ball reveals how defenders reorganise, where space opens and why the next…