Introduction 1 Part I: Rugby: Roots, Boots and All 7 Chapter 1: Rudimentary Rugby 9 Chapter 2: The Aim of the Game 19 Chapter 3: Grab Your Rugby Gear 35 Part II: Getting Down and Dirty 45 Chapter 4: Location, Location, Location: Positions on the Pitch 47 Chapter 5: Laying Down the Laws 63 Chapter 6: Honing Your Skills 83 Chapter 7: Breaking Down the Breakdown 107 Chapter 8: Leaping Lineouts 123 Chapter 9: Talking Tactics 135 Chapter 10: Talented Training 151 Chapter 11: Coaching 167 Part III: Welcome to Planet Rugby 183 Chapter 12: The World Cup 185 Chapter 13: The International Scene 201 Chapter 14: Magnificent Sevens 217 Chapter 15: Home and Away 227 Chapter 16: The Domestic Scene 243 Part IV: Following the Game: The Informed Fan 255 Chapter 17: Compulsive Viewing: Rugby on the Screen 257 Chapter 18: Keeping Up with the News 269 Chapter 19: Spectating and Sobriquets 281 Part V: The Part of Tens 293 Chapter 20: The Ten Best British Players of All Time 295 Chapter 21: Ten Matches Made in Rugby Heaven 305 Chapter 22: Ten Peculiar Facts About Rugby 315 Part VI: Appendixes 325 Appendix A: Honour Boards 327 Appendix B: Glossary 347 Appendix C: Key Rugby Organisations 361 Index 367

Learn to: Understand the laws that form the heart of the game Talk tactics and share your opinions on lineouts, scrums and offsides Scrum down and get involved Get to grips with the history of the game, the club scene and the World Cup Get stuck into the scrum of rugby knowledge If you get a big kick out of rugby but struggle with offsides and lineouts, this guide will sharpen up your knowledge of the game. Inside you'll find easy-to-follow advice on the basic rules and playing positions, plus in-depth lessons on ball skills, fitness training and techniques to help you outwit your opponents. Covering the basic rules and regulations for would-be players and offering guidance on tactics, plays and the history of the game for the committed fan, this guide gives you all the expert knowledge you need. The grass roots – discover the origins of the great game and get to grips with all the rules and regulations of rugby Getting stuck in – advice on how to get out there and play the game, with guidance on skills and techniques to help develop your play Welcome to the world of rugby – become a rugby expert for the World Cup and Six Nations and follow your domestic team home and away Follow the game – a guide to viewing rugby in the stands or from the comfort of your own home Open the book and find: Advice on getting your game together on the field Information on understanding the scoring system An introduction to the laws of the game Techniques to hone your skills A rundown on the World Cup and Six Nations Profiles of the best British players of all time A guide to the domestic rugby scene