In this episode of The Rugby Institute, we’re joined by Dave Ellis, one of the most experienced and respected rugby skills coaches in the game.With over 30 years in rugby, Dave has coached skill across every level — from grassroots and coach education to professional environments including Connacht Rugby, the Blues, and Bristol Bears in the English Premiership.Dave’s work focuses on helping players and coaches better understand what real rugby skill is, how it develops, and how to design training that actually transfers to the game. His global coaching journey and deep understanding of skill learning have made him a go-to resource for coaches around the world.Whether you’re a coach looking to improve your session design or a player wanting to develop game-ready skill, this conversation offers valuable insight from someone who’s spent a lifetime studying and coaching rugby skill.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

In this session, Aaron Dundon, coach at Leinster Rugby, breaks down the lineout maul defence systems he used with the Tasman Makos.This is a practical, coach-focused breakdown covering how elite teams set up, organise, and shut down opposition mauls from lineouts. Aaron walks through key defensive principles, player roles, coaching cues, and simple drills you can apply directly to your own training environment.Whether you’re coaching school, club, academy, or professional rugby, this session gives you clear, actionable insight into modern lineout maul defence.📌 Topics covered:– Lineout maul defensive set-up– Roles and responsibilities– Key coaching cues– Common maul problems and fixes– Training drills to implement immediatelyIf you enjoy deep-dive coaching content like this, make sure to subscribe to The Rugby Institute for more elite insights from coaches and players around the world.===========================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst===========================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #defencedrills #pasingdrillsOur mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.

In this episode, we dive into the engine room of rugby—scrums, lineouts, and mauls—with one of New Zealand’s top emerging coaches. Hurricanes U20s coach Eugene Smith joins us to break down video footage, share practical progressions and drills, and unpack some of the latest coaching methods being used at the representative level. Whether you're coaching grassroots or high performance, there’s something here for every rugby coach looking to sharpen their set-piece knowledge.===========================0:00 Intro0:40 What does good scrum shape look like?1:50 What are we looking for?2:44 Static Hold Scrum Primer3:02 Power Extensions3:35 Isometric Holds 1v14:25 Advice for a strong footing?9:18 Chesting Out Drill - Tight Heads & Hookers Technique12:06 Individual Sled Work12:36 Mini Unit Sleds14:00 North/South Drill - Live 2v2 Scrum Drill16:20 4v4 Scrum Drill18:20 Tight Head Training Extras19:05 Dark Arts Tips - What can props to if someones cheating?21:44 Do scrum machines have a place in rugby today?24:30 Lineout Basics31:36 Lineout Primers for Lifters and Maul Creation32:31 How do lifters bind to jumper? High & Tight37:45 Lineout Race and Competition Drill29:13 Maul Drill with Pads41:45 How do you bind in the maul? Crutch Grip43:50 How do you create a strong team culture?52:17 Player Pathways 58:30 What are coaches looking for in players?1:03:13 Best piece of advice?1:04:46 How do you give feedback?=============================Connect with us! =============================Tik Tok: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteInstagram: ➡︎ @rugbyinstituteX: ➡︎ @RugbyInst=============================#therugbyinstitute #rugbycoaching #scrum #lineout Our mission at The Rugby Institute is to support rugby coaches in developing their skills, growing the game, and making a lasting impact on their teams and communities.