Rugby Coach Weekly

Send us Fan MailWhat really wins rugby matches — instinct or insight?In this episode, Dan Cottrell sits down with rugby analyst, journalist, and coach Sam Larner to unpack the growing influence of data in the modern game — and what it actually means for coaches on the pitch.From Six Nations trends to grassroots realities, Sam brings clarity to the numbers behind performance. Together, they...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks to coach and former professional player Sam Mace about the journey from playing to coaching and the lessons that shaped his philosophy.Sam played professionally in Major League Rugby with the Toronto Arrows, before concussion injuries forced him to retire early. That experience changed the direction of his...

Send us Fan MailWhat does sustainable performance actually look like in elite sport and leadership?In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan speaks with Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin, a high-performance coach and leadership specialist who has worked across rugby, wrestling, artistic swimming, ballet and Olympic systems worldwide.Lúcás helps leaders build performance “one brick at a time”...

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really mean to be the adult in the room?In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with Tara Lynn, transformational coach and trusted adviser to high performers who have reached the edge of what got them here. We explore how leaders and coaches can regulate themselves under pressure, avoid slipping into “parent” or “child” reactions, and communicate with...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dan Cottrell is joined once again by skill acquisition specialist Job Fransen, Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University and Managing Director of SkillACQ.Together they explore what really matters in coaching practice design, feedback, and player development.Job shares why elite coaches rarely need “disrupting,” why most coaches intervene too quickly, and...

Send us Fan MailWhat actually happens on a Saturday night when the final whistle blows and rugby stories still need to be told?In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan is joined by Ben Jaycock, assistant editor at The Rugby Paper, to explore how parts of a national rugby newspaper are produced under extreme time pressure.While much of The Rugby Paper is planned days in advance, Ben...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell sits down with Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development at England Rugby, for an open and thoughtful conversation about the state of the community game.They explore how rugby is changing at grassroots level, from schools and clubs to coach education, workforce models, and the rise of T1 Rugby. Steve...

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really take to align dozens of volunteer coaches, hundreds of players, and a whole club around one clear development pathway?In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Charlie Farrell, Age Grade Rugby Director at Banbridge RFC, to unpack the thinking behind the club’s new Coaches Playbook. Designed to guide player development from...

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by performance coach Nash Cohen to explore what it really means to coach with conviction. From defining winning beyond the scoreboard to building trust under pressure, the conversation digs into principles, skill detail, and creating environments where players think, adapt, and grow.Nash is the Head of...

Send us Fan MailWhat does real toughness look like in rugby?In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell is joined by Jack Heald, Director of Rugby at Barnes RFC and rugby professional at Felsted School, to unpack what toughness truly means in modern coaching environments.Drawing on over 15 years of experience across school, club, and national league rugby, Jack challenges the...