ABSTRACT
Rugby union and rugby league are two collision sports played worldwide. This chapter highlights the complex activity profiles of rugby, and the challenges facing applied sport scientists and strength and conditioning staff employed to prepare players for the game- and position-specific demands of match-play. It shows that the demands of rugby sevens were different than those experienced in other rugby codes and that coaching, conditioning, and testing for rugby sevens should reflect the specific demands of match-play. Collisions and tackles are widely acknowledged as the most demanding aspect of rugby league match-play. Examination of ball-in-play periods provides insight into the physical demands of rugby competition. The ball-in-play demands have been used by coaches to train the ability of players to compete for long passages of play. The chapter also explores the relationship between physical qualities and the activity profiles of rugby.
