r/rugbyunion2

I know that the Nations Championship starts tomorrow and I’m as excited as everyone else, but wanted to post this for some advice and tips.

For context, I’m 25 and I grew up in a Rugby Household, my Dad was an Amateur player and my Mum is a big fan. When I was a kid, I was a big fan and did used to play myself. However, when School started getting serious (around 14-15), I stopped playing to concentrate on that and I did lose my interest in it and focused on other sports like Football and Cricket.

After a few years of really struggling (2025 was a tough year in particular for me personally), I wanted to find a Hobby to get me excited again, as I knew, and others had told me that I had lost my way. So I thought I’d give Rugby a go.
Both of my Parents are Harlequins Fans so since February, both me and my Dad have gone to The Stoop as well as The Big Summer Kick Off and thoroughly had a good time (so good in fact that we’re becoming Members next year).

However, I did want to start playing again to get back in shape and help my mental Health. I contacted a club near Twickenham who invited me down to play Touch Rugby as its Off-Season.

I have been busy the last few weeks and maybe a tad nervous to go down, but yesterday I bit the bullet and went. I was really nervous as I’m an Introvert and not the best meeting new people. However, I had been messaging the Captain of the Team, and met a few of the older guys who were very welcoming to me.

However:

1. I was definitely the worst player on the pitch. I was not hopeless by any stretch. I know the basics but not playing for a decade will obviously make you rusty and a few players told me to not be too hard on myself.

2. Whilst a few lads were welcoming and chatty to me, there was quite a few who didn’t. In their defence, I didn’t Introduce myself to them; and they might not see the need to introduce themselves to someone they may not meet again and they may have known each other a long time; but I did find it a tad quickly.

This is probably more Personal Advice needed more than anything. But I did enjoy myself and would like to continue playing.
However, as an Introvert and someone not in the best shape, is there advice people could give in regards to practicing for technique or what I could do as did feel like a hindrance yesterday.

Don't know if I can share this here, I created a website to predict rugby margins for the Nations Championship. It's supposed to reward prediction accuracy.

Also should be fun to see how the North predicts against the South or NZ supporter's vs SA supporters etc.

Can create your own pool or join the public one.

Maul It Over