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Send us Fan Mail What really wins rugby matches — instinct or insight? In this episode, Dan Cottrell sits down with rugby analyst, journalist, and coach Sam Larner to unpack the growing influence of data in the modern game — and what it actually means for coaches on the pitch. From Six Nations trends to grassroots realities, Sam brings clarity to the numbers behind performance. Together, they explore why territory often matters more than possession, how 22 entries shape outcomes, and why some of rugby’s most quoted stats might be misleading. The conversation goes beyond the spreadsheets. Sam challenges the idea that the game can be “solved” by data alone, arguing for a balance between analysis and feel — and offering practical ways coaches can use simple metrics to improve decision-making without overcomplicating their sessions. You’ll also hear: Why kicking is often the right decision — even when it frustrates fansThe truth about penalties and disciplineHow to use data effectively at grassroots levelWhich stats actually matter — and which ones to ignoreClick here to buy the book. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks to coach and former professional player Sam Mace about the journey from playing to coaching and the lessons that shaped his philosophy. Sam played professionally in Major League Rugby with the Toronto Arrows, before concussion injuries forced him to retire early. That experience changed the direction of his career and sparked a passion for coaching that is now reaching thousands of players and coaches online through his SMPerformance platform. In this conversation, Sam explains what truly energises him about coaching. For him, the biggest influence was the feeling of being supported by great coaches and the opposite experience of feeling small or unwanted. That contrast shaped his commitment to creating environments where players feel belief, ownership and agency over their own development. Dan and Sam explore how honest conversations build trust, why players improve more when they understand why they are not selected, and how coaches can balance challenge with care. They also dive into coaching contact skills, discussing the technical side of tackling, the importance of control rather than aggression, and why the best defenders focus on precision and positioning rather than simply hitting harder. Along the way, Sam reflects on social media coaching, the limits of short-form content, and why great coaching is always about the human connection behind the technique. Key themes Building belief and agency in playersHonest feedback and player ownershipCoaching confidence after mistakesTeaching tackling through precision and techniqueThe difference between social media coaching and real coachingIf you want to connect with Sam, you can find his coaching content at SMPerformance on Instagram. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does sustainable performance actually look like in elite sport and leadership? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan speaks with Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin, a high-performance coach and leadership specialist who has worked across rugby, wrestling, artistic swimming, ballet and Olympic systems worldwide. Lúcás helps leaders build performance “one brick at a time” through social learning, psychological safety and deliberate coaching design.  From coaching in Russia and Kazakhstan to supporting Olympic programmes and even ballet companies, he shares powerful lessons about: • Why psychological safety is misunderstood • The balance between accountability and freedom • How culture shapes coaching effectiveness • Why framing matters more than motivation • How small check-in rituals can transform team dynamics This conversation goes beyond theory. It explores what it really means to be the adult in the room — to create clarity, set standards and invite contribution without losing performance edge. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to be the adult in the room? In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Tara Lynn, transformational coach and trusted adviser to high performers who have reached the edge of what got them here. We explore how leaders and coaches can regulate themselves under pressure, avoid slipping into “parent” or “child” reactions, and communicate with clarity instead of ego. Tara shares her A.D.U.L.T framework, breaks down the difference between training and coaching, and explains why language, timing and self-awareness determine whether challenge feels like growth or threat. We also unpack: How to stay calm when others are notWhy attachment to outcomes undermines leadershipThe fine line between coaching and rescuingHow men can communicate with women without patronisingWhen to engage… and when to walk away To find out more about Tara and get in contact with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taralynncoaching/ www.taralynncoaching.com  To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dan Cottrell is joined once again by skill acquisition specialist Job Fransen, Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University and Managing Director of SkillACQ. Together they explore what really matters in coaching practice design, feedback, and player development. Job shares why elite coaches rarely need “disrupting,” why most coaches intervene too quickly, and why sometimes the best coaching decision is to step back and let players solve the problem. They dig into: Coaching through mistakes rather than stopping at phase threeWhen feedback helps learning… and when it creates dependencyWhy prescriptive feedback should be used sparinglyHow confidence and competence are not the same thingThe controversial place for drills in developing short-term performanceWhy skill acquisition science cannot prescribe one “best” method🔑 Key Takeaways Players often detect and correct errors themselves. Coaches may be over-intervening.Feedback is powerful. Use it deliberately, not habitually.Prescriptive feedback can create dependency if overused.Letting play continue through errors can enhance collective learning.Not all improvement is conscious. Players do not need to verbalise change to learn.Drills can build short-term confidence, but they do not equal long-term learning.The best coaches are obsessive about craft, but open to nudges, not disruption.There is no universal “best practice.” Context and coach intuition matter.Find out more here: www.skillacq.com www.skillacq.com/pathways/build To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What actually happens on a Saturday night when the final whistle blows and rugby stories still need to be told? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan is joined by Ben Jaycock, assistant editor at The Rugby Paper, to explore how parts of a national rugby newspaper are produced under extreme time pressure. While much of The Rugby Paper is planned days in advance, Ben explains how key match reports, ratings, and analysis are written live as games unfold and filed within minutes of full time, ready for a Sunday morning readership that already knows the score. The conversation lifts the lid on writing for readers who have watched the game, not those discovering the result, why creativity matters more than formula, and how editors balance honesty, criticism, and respect for players, coaches, and referees. They also discuss the importance of grassroots coverage, why The Rugby Paper resists clickbait, and what excites Ben about the modern game despite its financial challenges. A thoughtful insight into rugby journalism, storytelling, and why good reporting still matters to the health of the sport. Reach Ben on X Subscribe to The Rugby Paper Get weekly rugby union coverage from internationals to grassroots at therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptions To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development at England Rugby, for an open and thoughtful conversation about the state of the community game. They explore how rugby is changing at grassroots level, from schools and clubs to coach education, workforce models, and the rise of T1 Rugby. Steve shares what has stayed stubbornly the same over decades, what has genuinely evolved since 2011, and where the biggest tensions now sit between tradition, participation, and sustainability. This is a wide-ranging discussion about systems, people, and trade-offs, grounded in the realities of Sunday mornings, volunteer coaches, and the long-term health of the game. Essential listening for anyone involved in coaching, club leadership, or rugby development. Five key takeaways Participation and sustainability matter as much as performance pathways in shaping the future of rugby.Community rugby thrives on resilience, not reliance, with clubs supported to solve problems locally.T1 Rugby is designed to reflect the core logic and values of rugby union, not just offer a non-contact alternative.Coach development is moving toward mentoring, peer learning, and flexible digital access rather than courses alone.The best future experience for young players will prioritise enjoyment, belonging, and learning over rigid tradition.  To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to align dozens of volunteer coaches, hundreds of players, and a whole club around one clear development pathway? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Charlie Farrell, Age Grade Rugby Director at Banbridge RFC, to unpack the thinking behind the club’s new Coaches Playbook. Designed to guide player development from first contact to First XV, the Playbook goes far beyond drills and session plans. Charlie explains why Banbridge needed a shared framework, how the five pillars (Technical, Tactical, Mental, Lifestyle, Physical) were shaped by lived coaching experience, and the very real challenges of rolling out change in a large, multi-sport community club. The conversation explores volunteer buy-in, consistency versus creativity, session planning, player behaviour, and what “success” actually looks like in age-grade rugby. Key takeaways A shared Coaches Playbook improves consistency and clarity in rugby coaching across all age groups.Effective player development combines technical skills with mental, physical, and lifestyle habits.Volunteer coaches need support, mentoring, and simple frameworks rather than rigid rules.Organised, game-based training sessions create better experiences for players and parents.Long-term development and retention are more important than short-term wins in youth rugby.Topics covered Rugby coaching frameworks Player development pathways Grassroots rugby coaching Supporting volunteer coaches Coach education and mentoring Age-grade rugby systems Building club culture through coaching To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by performance coach Nash Cohen to explore what it really means to coach with conviction.  From defining winning beyond the scoreboard to building trust under pressure, the conversation digs into principles, skill detail, and creating environments where players think, adapt, and grow. Nash is the Head of Player & Performance Development Jamaica UK and Programme Director Elite Rugby Academy. You can find out more about the work he does at: eliterugbyacademy.co.uk To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What does real toughness look like in rugby? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Jack Heald, Director of Rugby at Barnes RFC and rugby professional at Felsted School, to unpack what toughness truly means in modern coaching environments. Drawing on over 15 years of experience across school, club, and national league rugby, Jack challenges the idea that toughness is about bravado or confrontation. Instead, he reframes it as consistency, resilience, and the ability to turn up and perform week after week, often while balancing full-time work, study, and life pressures. The conversation explores how tough, competitive training environments are created without tipping into chaos, how feedback should be handled to build confidence rather than erode it, and why core skill development is still the most overlooked driver of long-term player success. Key takeaways for coaches Toughness is about consistency and resilience, not bravado or aggression.Competitive training environments must be intense but controlled.Players need psychological safety to make mistakes and keep learning.Feedback works best when it is individual, contextual, and proportionate.Core skills like catch, pass, and running straight underpin everything else.Long-term development matters more than short-term physical dominance.The most coachable players often outperform early physical standouts over time.Instagram: @jhealdcoaching LinkedIn: Jack Heald To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail What do you stabilise first when you inherit a team at the bottom of the table? In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks with Ross Bundy, Head Coach of Leicester Tigers Women, about leading a rebuild in a high-pressure, semi-professional environment. Ross shares an unfiltered account of what really matters when results are hard to come by. Rather than chasing quick fixes, he explains why values, defensive standards, contact dominance, discipline, and law understanding became the foundation for long-term progress. The conversation explores how to be brutally honest while keeping belief high, how to simplify systems without lowering standards, and how to measure improvement when the scoreboard does not reflect the full picture. This is a grounded, practical discussion for coaches who are building from a low starting point and need clarity, patience, and conviction. PS, Ross is one of the youngest pro-coaches in the game right now - only 26! Key takeaways for coaches Stabilise culture before tactics: Values on and off the pitch must be clear, protected, and visible, especially when results are poor.Honesty builds trust: Players respond better to clear, direct feedback than vague reassurance, as long as progress is recognised.Defence and contact set the floor: You cannot compete consistently without collision dominance, defensive connection, and discipline.Discipline is a technical skill: Many penalties come from passive contact and poor post-tackle behaviour, not ill intent.Law understanding creates advantage: Coaching the laws deliberately leads to smarter decisions and fewer “cheap” penalties.Simplify to accelerate learning: Fewer systems, executed well, beat complexity when time together is limited.Progress is more than the scoreline: Improvements in behaviours, effort, and standards often appear before results do.Small wins matter: Tackles made, penalties reduced, values shown, and cohesion built are all markers of momentum.Catch up with Ross on LinkedIn  Or Instagram To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dan Cottrell is joined by Phil Kearney, Associate Professor at the University of Limerick and co-founder of an organisation focused on developing a positive community of practice in skill acquisition Together, they challenge one of coaching’s most ingrained habits: starting session design with drills, outcomes, and end goals rather than with how players actually learn. Drawing on skill acquisition research, coach education, and applied examples from grassroots to performance sport, the conversation reframes what effective practice really looks like. Key points covered: Why engaging sessions can still produce very little learning.How coaches often mistake activity, enjoyment, and busyness for improvement.What skill acquisition actually tells us about how players learn and retain skills.Why starting with outcomes can distort session design and decision making.Practical principles coaches can use to design practices that transfer to the game.The best ways to engage with Phil are: University of Limerick (professional email): mailto: [email protected] LinkedIn: Active in sharing work on skill acquisition, coaching practice, and applied research. Suitable for professional introductions, collaboration requests, and podcast or event invitations. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Darren Rea, John Peel, and Gareth Lewis to explore how inclusive SEND rugby has grown from a few Sunday sessions into a powerful community movement known as KatieFest. Together, they share how simple, values-led coaching has created safe, joyful, and challenging rugby environments for players with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, while also bringing parents, carers, coaches, and clubs closer together. The conversation goes beyond drills and sessions to unpack confidence, belonging, routine, and why rugby is uniquely placed to adapt without losing its essence. From mash-ups with mainstream teams to national recognition and the ripple effect spreading across clubs and counties, this is a story about coaching with empathy, ambition, and belief. It is not about doing something “special,” but about making inclusion normal, visible, and lasting, and showing how rugby can genuinely be a sport for all. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1477604696958236/ https://checkout.justgiving.com/c/3830429 https://www.ukcoaching.org/news/uk-coaching-awards-winner-darren-rea-captures-hearts-with-‘katie-peel-haka’/ To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this Rugby Coach Weekly episode, Dan sits down with Emily Pratt, Strength and Conditioning Coach for the England Women’s U20s, to unpack the brand new U16 Foundational Athletic Development and U18 Athletic Development programmes reshaping the female pathway. Emily explains how England Rugby is shifting the landscape for young female athletes. She and Dan explore: How potential is identified beyond “ready-made” athletesWhy movement competency, aerobic fitness and training age matter more than lifting heavyThe balance between school sport, club rugby, other commitments and recoveryHow to help girls build confidence around body image and trainingWhy injury rehab should be seen as an opportunity rather than a setbackHow coaches can approach conversations around the menstrual cycleWhy the entire development programme has been made freely available to all players, not just those in the pathwayEmily also emphasises that strength training is never about changing how girls look, but about helping them become fitter, faster, more resilient rugby players. If you coach girls rugby — at club, school, college or county — this episode is packed with practical guidance, player-centred insights and a clear breakdown of what “good” athletic development looks like. You can find the full programme, including videos and week-by-week sessions, on the England Rugby website: This link is to the U16 Foundational athletic development section of the website  https://www.englandrugby.com/play/parents-guardians/player-pathway/foundation-phase-girls-pathway#foundational-athletic-development- The next link is specific to the U18 Athletic Development at PDG.  https://www.englandrugby.com/play/parents-guardians/player-pathway/development-phase-girls-pathway#foundational-athletic-development- To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dan sits down with India Perris-Redding, one of the driving forces behind women and girls’ rugby in the North of England. Over nearly seven years with Sale Sharks Foundation, India has shaped a transformational pathway for girls’ rugby, from primary school beginners to academy-level athletes. India shares the story behind Girls Tackle Rugby, the groundbreaking programme she built from scratch to bridge the gap between grassroots participation and the elite pathway. She talks candidly about overcoming school barriers, inspiring confidence in young players, designing game-based sessions that work, and the powerful role of female role models in helping girls see what’s possible. We explore the challenges of introducing contact safely, the surprising findings from 18 months of research with Manchester Metropolitan University, and how simple, authentic human connection can unlock a girl’s belief that she can do this. To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly To find out more about our Partner Club offer CLICK HERE Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!