Laws
The Advantage Signal: What the Referee Is Waiting to See
Rugby advantage explained: learn how referees assess possession, pressure and practical options after an infringement…
The reading room
All pieces
Explore explanations of rugby’s laws, phases, roles, craft and club life. Each piece follows one part of the game closely, then sets it in context.
Phases
A Kick to Touch or a Kick for Distance?
A kick to touch or a kick for distance changes where rugby resumes and which phases follow. Learn how the restart…
Roles
Why the Number on a Rugby Shirt Is Not the Whole Job
Rugby shirt numbers suggest familiar positions, but context matters: learn how to read a player’s real…
Craft
The Ball’s Shape and the Way It Travels
Rugby ball shape changes how it bounces, spins and sits in the hands; learn what causes awkward movement and how to…
Club Life
Your First Club Open Day: What to Look For Beyond the Pitch
A rugby club open day is easier to read with a simple visit plan: notice the welcome, ask about activities and see how…
Our point of view
The game is easier to follow when you know what to watch.
Open Rugby Journal takes a close, unhurried look at rugby: its moving parts, its language and the life that gathers around the match.