If you're new to the sport or you feel you could sharpen upyour knowledge of the game, this guide is for you. Inside you'llfind easy-to-understand advice on the basic rules and pitchpositions, plus in-depth lessons on ball skills, fitness training,and techniques to outwit your opponents - all illustrated withentertaining stories from British and International rugby's backpages. In addition, you get a grounding in the local, national andinternational reaches of Rugby UnionRugby Union For Dummies 3rd Edition:* Features an in-depth and up-to-date look at the Laws thatform the beautiful game* Covers all you will need to know about talking tactics and isperfect for anyone looking at swatting up on rugby forthe World Cup and beyond* Advises on all you will need to know to get stuck in andplay* Contains a new chapter on sevens as the sport will be ademonstration sport at London 2012 and a full sport at Rio2016

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