Best Christmas Boy Toys for a Rugby Fan

We aren’t on the countdown just yet, but we really want to help you get ahead of the Christmas shopping game—if you pardon the pun. For all we know you might be one of those last minute shoppers who dash out on Christmas eve and come home with the last thing left on the shelf. At least this way we can get you on the right tracks looking for a proper rugby-lovers present to bring home for Christmas, it’s that simple. So, keeping that ethos in mind, we have put together a little list of possible options for you to choose from when you are hunting for the ideal gift for Christmas.

For the budding fan

Budding fans can be anything from new born to about 6, in our estimation. That’s when they start to get old enough to get what the game is about and learn to appreciate it. After age seven, there’s every chance they are going to be a fan for life. So, getting them on the road to fandom we have a little onesie that we love. Available in red the suit is small enough to fit a newborn and enough to go up to 24 months. If you are an All Blacks family get your little ‘un this dinky little jersey and shorts kit, which goes up to 18 months in age.

Buying for older kids

As they grow they will want some of the proper team garb, so how about a winter wear hoodie for those chilly evenings out on the rugby field? And, just to make sure their growing legs don’t freeze, how about a neat pair of trackie bottoms to finish the set?

Adults and big Kids

It doesn’t matter how old your rugby fan is, most of them are big kids at heart, and the love of the game will keep them young spirited. If your rugby lover wants something neat for Christmas try our equipment page to see just what we have to offer in the way of bags, balls, backpacks, holdalls and other brilliant items. Go one, take a look, it’s all here, waiting for you. 

Commonwealth Sevens

“Glasgow 2014 – Rugby Sevens” by Daniel, licenced under CC BY 2.0

The Commonwealth Games is sadly over for this time around, but boy was it a belter!  The Rugby Sevens was fast, furious and downright exciting, especially for us rugby fans. As a brilliant prelude to the official 2016 Olympics debut, rugby was very well represented at the Glasgow 2014 Games. Rugby Sevens is much the same as a full team game, but because there are only seven players on each side it's double the work and double the effort. It makes for an extremely energetic and fast-paced game.

How it Works

Over two days, there are a total of 45 games played between 16 teams. Because it is a knockout tournament, eventually there will be two teams left, vying for the winning Gold prize. There are four ‘pools,' containing four teams. This year it began with pool A containing New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Barbados. Pool B contained South Africa, Kenya, Cook Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Pool C contained Samoa, Wales, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia and Pool D contained England, Australia Sri Lanka and Uganda. In the same way as the FIFA Soccer World Cup, the teams in each pool play each other, with the top 8 qualifying for the quarter-finals. Then, they play each and it is whittled down further and so on, until only two are left. This year’s Gold went to South Africa.

“Kenyan Fans” by Erik Hersman, licenced under CC BY 2.0

Excitement and Support

Hardened rugby fans like seven's simply because it is a little more hardcore sometimes. It doesn't compare to 11's because they are both played entirely differently, with the exception of the rules, but because each team has twice the work it does lead to twice the excitement and twice the effort. The fans love it and because it is a shorter punchier version of ‘big' rugby is perfect for new fans to get acquainted with the beautiful game, too. 

Keep an eye out for the latest fixtures in the Sevens World Series and make sure you stalk up on your home nation rugby tops here!

Blair Atholl Horse Trials

Twenty-six years sure does shoot by quickly, and the older we get, the faster it seems to go. When the Blair Atholl Horse Trials started this year on 21^st August, it marked twenty-six years since the very first International horse trial was held there, and that is some feat.  The leading equestrian event in Scotland, the trials also encompasses the Country Fair and had an expected 40,000 attend.

“Horse” by Moyan Brenn, licenced under CC BY 2.0

What Happens?

Well, it’s a great few days of fun for the whole family and horse lovers alike. Sponsored by Barclays, the event runs from 21^st August through 24^th August and the Blair Atholl hallowed turf. You will see Olympic medallist competing alongside ranked amateurs and a fun but competitive environment. Lucinda Frederick will be defending her title this year too. The Bruadar Country Fair runs concurrently with the trials, and you will see other equestrian activities all throughout the weekend. There are also over two-hundred vendor stands—of which we are one—at the shopping village, so come along and see what bargains are to be had.

What Else is there and why?

Well, you will find sponsored charities there, such as HorseBack UK, who are this year’s designated charity and you will find superb action and plenty of family fun to join in with. If you love horses and just simply enjoy watching them do their graceful thing, this is an event you won't want to miss. If you can’t make it this year, then make a note of date and join us next year!

Rugby Fitness In The New Year

Rugby Fitness In The New Year

Explosive power, strength and endurance are but just a range of the attributes which any rugby player needs to make an impact on the pitch. Indeed, we at Rugby Plus believe that with the start of a New Year, a high quality rugby fitness plan should be implemented to ensure that these elements are fine-tuned and developed.

Certainly, perhaps the most important aspect to consider when implementing an effective and dynamic rugby fitness plan should be that of functionality. Matching the body positions and movements of an exercise on the pitch to that of one on the gym should facilitate in providing a level of power and strength, allowing players to excel with a new sense of dynamism. Indeed, traditional gym moves such as deadlifts and squats will facilitate in enhancing these elements as well as bench presses to work on upper body strength.

Of course, the very nature of rugby involves intervals of high intensity sprinting as well as periods of low intensity jogging and walking, especially for backs. As a result, a lot of emphasis should be placed upon cardiovascular exercises to ensure players are able to play with a high level of endurance and power. Additionally, circuit style training should also be incorporated to facilitate in ensuring players’ general fitness levels are high.

Of course, passing, tackling and a variety of specialist moves should also be involved in rugby fitness training to help facilitate in ensuring players are able to hit the pitch in true style this 2014. Working on various facets of the game will help players’ fitness and adaptability to a range of scenarios on the pitch. Indeed, incorporating these drills into your rugby fitness plan this New Year will ensure a new level of high quality rugby is played!

Indeed, Rugby Plus can ensure that you enjoy fantastic rugby fitness this 2014 with a range of excellent rugby equipment. Browse our various product ranges, including rugby training balls and rugby holdalls to kick-start your rugby fitness in the New Year! 

The Autumn Internationals Competition

The Autumn Internationals Competition - Opportunity to Win a Pair of Tickets to see Scotland versus Australia 

With the Autumn Internationals Test Series well underway, Rugby Plus are delight to announce that we have a pair of tickets to see Scotland lock horns with the formidable force of Australia on the 23^rd of November. The Wallabies will undoubtedly be out to seek revenge for their previous two defeats to Scotland and likewise, the latter will be battling to boast a third successive victory.

With a fierce rugby history between the two sides, spanning back to 1927, The Autumn Internationals will provide a fantastic opportunity for Australia to visit what will be a rapturous Murrayfield. With Scotland narrowly edging past the Wallabies on their last two encounters, Australia will be eager to vent their frustration and secure a much needed win. Will Scotland be able to prevent them? Rugby Plus will offer the fantastic opportunity for you to win two tickets to view such a spectacle, where brute force, electric energy and fierce encounters will be commonplace. Scotland will be looking to make an impact following their recent Autumn Internationals test loss to South Africa, whilst Australia will be looking to further capitalise upon their victory over Ireland. As a result, it’s inevitable that the two sides’ ensuing clash will be a formidable one, a battle that will truly astound. Give yourself the opportunity to witness some of the world’s rugby elite do battle and enter our competition!

Visit our Facebook and Twitter pages for more information on competition details and let the games commence!

Rugby Plus also offers a fantastic array of rugby clothing to help you show your support to Scotland during this season’s Autumn Internationals. Browse our fantastic range of Scotland rugby jerseys and help cheer Scotland on to a win! If all this rugby action is getting you in the mood to hit the pitch, discover a host of rugby equipment at Rugby Plus and equip yourself with all you’ll need. 

Preseason Rugby Training

Strength, power and endurance are but just a range of the attributes that any rugby player needs for the new season. In order to fine tune and develop such elements, we at Rugby Plus believe a high quality, structured preseason training plan is paramount to ensure an explosive on-pitch experience.

When sifting through the never-ending debate of cardiovascular exercises, metabolic workouts and other complicated jargon being constantly discussed, there’s one term which should be prized over all others; functionality. Indeed, matching the biomechanics and body position of a movement in the gym to a movement on the pitch can rapidly improve a player’s dynamism to operate effectively in that specified position. Key traditional lifts such as the deadlift are considered staples of such programmes, proving especially effective for the likes of front row forwards where upward power is simply a necessity at the breakdown. Additionally, the likes of squats and bench presses have more than proved their credibility in decades past for building battle-worthy physiques. Cardio, it should go without saying, is also a crucial facet to enhancing general fitness and should be combined regularly with circuit-style methods to improve endurance and explosive ability.

On top of regular gym training, it’s paramount for squads to develop a sense of camaraderie both and off the pitch. As you’ll be spending a considerable amount of time with teammates over the course of the season - experiencing the highs of victory and the lows of defeat - preseason can act as vital period in which such bonds may be cemented. Therefore, Rugby Plus recommends that as much time is spent socialising as in the gym, if not for an excuse to hit the nearest bar…

From rugby training balls to rugby holdalls, Rugby Plus can provide all the necessary equipment at competitive prices to kick-start your club’s much anticipated, and in some cases daunting, preseason rugby training.