The Rugby Institute Coaching Podcast

The Rugby Institute
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Rugby
  • Updated Weekly

Podcast from our YouTube channel for Coaches:https://www.youtube.com/@therugbyinstituteThe Rugby Coaching Podcast is your ultimate resource for all things rugby coaching. Whether you're an experienced coach, a player aspiring to mentor, or someone passionate about the game's strategy and development, this podcast delivers expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories. Each episode features seasoned coaches, players, and rugby professionals who dive deep into tactics, training techniques, player development, and team management. From grassroots to elite levels, we tackle the challenges and celebrate the triumphs of coaching the world's most dynamic sport. 

  1. Jun 5

    Springbok Flip van der Merwe - What It REALLY Takes to Go Pro in Rugby

    What does it really take to go pro in rugby? 🏉In this exclusive interview, Springbok Flip van der Merwe shares the mental toughness, discipline, and sacrifices required to make it at the highest level. From daily routines and training secrets to the mindset that separates elite players from the rest, Flip gives you a rare look behind the scenes of professional rugby.Whether you’re an aspiring player, coach, or just a rugby fan, this episode reveals the hard truths about what it takes to reach the top.In this video, you’ll learn:The mental habits that elite players rely onWhy talent alone isn’t enough to go proThe sacrifices and discipline needed dailyHow Flip approaches training, recovery, and strategyDon’t miss this deep dive into the mindset of a Springbok and what separates the best from the rest.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    59 min

  2. May 29

    All Black Ben Franks - Simplicity, Effort & Player Development | From Player to Coach

    What actually helps rugby players improve?In this conversation, All Black prop Ben Franks breaks down how coaches can develop players through simplicity, effort, and clear processes.Drawing on his experience as a 2x Rugby World Cup winner and now professional coach, Ben shares practical insights on:How to simplify your coaching for better resultsWhy focusing on one thing at a time accelerates developmentThe role of effort in player growth and team cultureHow to structure training for maximum transfer to performanceWhy repetition and reflection are key to long-term improvementThis is a coaching-focused conversation designed to give real, applicable ideas for coaches at all levels — from grassroots to high performance.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction1:07 Transition from player to coach8:20 Developing habits & effort13:00 Work Ethic11:55 Effort and Its Importance20:26 Mike Cron on his development28:28 Coaching Pressure36:58 Reflection is where the Week is Won41:02 Measurable Processes for Effective Coaching45:38 Developing Leaders51:00 Building Culture54:13 Advice to Parents and Coaches===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    57 min

  3. May 22

    The 4 Key Pillars of Lineout Throwing | Hooker Technique Explained

    Lineout throwing is one of the most important individual skills in rugby.In this video, Aaron Dundon breaks down lineout throwing into four key pillars that every hooker and forwards coach should understand:• Process• Hand placement• Profile• FinishingUsing real examples and practical coaching cues, Aaron explains what good lineout throwing looks like, common technical errors, and how to coach players to feel and fix their own technique — even under fatigue and pressure.This session is ideal for hookers, forwards coaches, and rugby players developing their set-piece skillset.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    39 min

  4. May 15

    The 4-Step Model to Assess and Evaluate Lineouts | Lions Coach - Bernie Upton

    Today we’re joined by Bernie Upton — former professional rugby player and high-performance coach — as he breaks down his 4-step model for assessing and evaluating lineouts.Bernie shares insights from over a decade playing with Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, the Hurricanes, Connacht, and Toshiba, learning from top coaches like Joe Schmidt, Vern Cotter, Warren Gatland, and Ian Foster. Since moving into coaching, he’s developed a reputation for building smarter lineout systems, clear processes, and accountable, high-performing teams.In this session, Bernie walks us through:How to assess your lineout strengths and weaknessesThe 4-step framework he uses to evaluate lineouts at elite levelHow to turn lineout analysis into real performance improvementsPractical insights coaches can use to create clarity and accountability in their own teamsIf you coach rugby, analyze performance, or just want to understand how elite teams evaluate and improve lineouts, this video is packed with high-value coaching gold.Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction2:15 – Bernie’s playing career & learning from top coaches6:30 – What makes a lineout successful at pro level12:45 – The 4-step lineout evaluation model22:00 – How to identify weaknesses and improve performance30:10 – Key takeaways for coachesDon’t forget to subscribe for more insights from top coaches and rugby performance experts!===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    1h 11m

  5. May 8

    What Club Coaches Can Learn from 2× Rugby World Cup–Winning Coach Wesley Clarke

    What can club rugby coaches learn from a 2× World Cup–winning coach?In this episode of The Rugby Institute, we sit down with Wesley Clarke, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, to break down the coaching principles that actually transfer to the club game.This is not theory-heavy coach education. It’s a practical conversation about what works on the training field, in the changing room, and on game day — especially when resources are limited and players are balancing rugby with real life.We cover:How to coach defense and tackle technique safely and effectively at club levelWhat “edge” really means — and how to create it without losing your playersBuilding culture and standards that players buy intoCoaching dominant contact without chasing tackle statsAdapting elite ideas so they work with club athletes, not professionalsWhy environment matters more than systemsCommon mistakes club coaches make — and how to fix themWesley shares honest stories from his coaching journey, including being fired early in his career, learning from elite mentors, and why simple, well-coached basics outperform complex game plans at club level.If you coach club rugby, school rugby, or community teams — and you want ideas you can apply this week, this episode is for you.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    47 min

  6. May 1

    The Evolution of Rugby Skills Coaching - Dave Ellis

    In this episode of The Rugby Institute, we’re joined by Dave Ellis, one of the most experienced and respected rugby skills coaches in the game.With over 30 years in rugby, Dave has coached skill across every level — from grassroots and coach education to professional environments including Connacht Rugby, the Blues, and Bristol Bears in the English Premiership.Dave’s work focuses on helping players and coaches better understand what real rugby skill is, how it develops, and how to design training that actually transfers to the game. His global coaching journey and deep understanding of skill learning have made him a go-to resource for coaches around the world.Whether you’re a coach looking to improve your session design or a player wanting to develop game-ready skill, this conversation offers valuable insight from someone who’s spent a lifetime studying and coaching rugby skill.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    48 min

  7. Apr 24

    Lineout Maul Defence with Leinster Coach Aaron Dundon

    In this session, Aaron Dundon, coach at Leinster Rugby, breaks down the lineout maul defence systems he used with the Tasman Makos.This is a practical, coach-focused breakdown covering how elite teams set up, organise, and shut down opposition mauls from lineouts. Aaron walks through key defensive principles, player roles, coaching cues, and simple drills you can apply directly to your own training environment.Whether you’re coaching school, club, academy, or professional rugby, this session gives you clear, actionable insight into modern lineout maul defence.📌 Topics covered:– Lineout maul defensive set-up– Roles and responsibilities– Key coaching cues– Common maul problems and fixes– Training drills to implement immediatelyIf you enjoy deep-dive coaching content like this, make sure to subscribe to The Rugby Institute for more elite insights from coaches and players around the world.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    54 min

  8. Apr 17

    Scrum & Lineout Progressions, Drills, and New Coaching Approaches with Hurricanes Coach Eugene Smith

    In this episode, we dive into the engine room of rugby—scrums, lineouts, and mauls—with one of New Zealand’s top emerging coaches. Hurricanes U20s coach Eugene Smith joins us to break down video footage, share practical progressions and drills, and unpack some of the latest coaching methods being used at the representative level. Whether you're coaching grassroots or high performance, there’s something here for every rugby coach looking to sharpen their set-piece knowledge.===========================0:00 Intro0:40 What does good scrum shape look like?1:50 What are we looking for?2:44 Static Hold Scrum Primer3:02 Power Extensions3:35 Isometric Holds 1v14:25 Advice for a strong footing?9:18 Chesting Out Drill - Tight Heads & Hookers Technique12:06 Individual Sled Work12:36 Mini Unit Sleds14:00 North/South Drill - Live 2v2 Scrum Drill16:20 4v4 Scrum Drill18:20 Tight Head Training Extras19:05 Dark Arts Tips - What can props to if someones cheating?21:44 Do scrum machines have a place in rugby today?24:30 Lineout Basics31:36 Lineout Primers for Lifters and Maul Creation32:31 How do lifters bind to jumper? High & Tight37:45 Lineout Race and Competition Drill29:13 Maul Drill with Pads41:45 How do you bind in the maul? Crutch Grip43:50 How do you create a strong team culture?52:17 Player Pathways 58:30 What are coaches looking for in players?1:03:13 Best piece of advice?1:04:46 How do you give feedback?=============================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst=============================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #scrum #lineout Our mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

    1h 15m
See All (18)

About

Podcast from our YouTube channel for Coaches:https://www.youtube.com/@therugbyinstituteThe Rugby Coaching Podcast is your ultimate resource for all things rugby coaching. Whether you're an experienced coach, a player aspiring to mentor, or someone passionate about the game's strategy and development, this podcast delivers expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories. Each episode features seasoned coaches, players, and rugby professionals who dive deep into tactics, training techniques, player development, and team management. From grassroots to elite levels, we tackle the challenges and celebrate the triumphs of coaching the world's most dynamic sport. 

Information

You Might Also Like