ABSTRACT
This chapter summarises and presents the research quantifying the technical-tactical and physical demands of male youth rugby league and rugby union match-play, and compares between playing positions, standards, and age-grades. In both rugby codes positional differences are apparent, with some differences attributed to the playing standard, indicating the need for position-specific prescription of training practices. Differences in technical-tactical demands between standards of competition are apparent in rugby league match-play, providing potential focus areas for youth rugby league coaches, but further research is required to analyse these differences in rugby union. The physical demands of match-play in both codes vary dependent upon the playing standard and age-grade of competition, influenced primarily by the match length. Further research considering contextual factors and the interaction between the physical and technical-tactical demands that underpin performance across youth rugby are still required.
