Send us Fan Mail

What 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 explore why territory often matters more than possession, how 22 entries shape outcomes, and why some of rugby’s most quoted stats might be misleading.

The conversation goes beyond the spreadsheets. Sam challenges the idea that the game can be “solved” by data alone, arguing for a balance between analysis and feel — and offering practical ways coaches can use simple metrics to improve decision-making without overcomplicating their sessions.

You’ll also hear:

• Why kicking is often the right decision — even when it frustrates fans
• The truth about penalties and discipline
• How to use data effectively at grassroots level
• Which stats actually matter — and which ones to ignore

Click here to buy the book.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

To find out more about our Partner Club offer

CLICK HERE

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send a text

In 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 career and sparked a passion for coaching that is now reaching thousands of players and coaches online through his SMPerformance platform.

In this conversation, Sam explains what truly energises him about coaching. For him, the biggest influence was the feeling of being supported by great coaches and the opposite experience of feeling small or unwanted. That contrast shaped his commitment to creating environments where players feel belief, ownership and agency over their own development.

Dan and Sam explore how honest conversations build trust, why players improve more when they understand why they are not selected, and how coaches can balance challenge with care.

They also dive into coaching contact skills, discussing the technical side of tackling, the importance of control rather than aggression, and why the best defenders focus on precision and positioning rather than simply hitting harder.

Along the way, Sam reflects on social media coaching, the limits of short-form content, and why great coaching is always about the human connection behind the technique.

Key themes

• Building belief and agency in players
• Honest feedback and player ownership
• Coaching confidence after mistakes
• Teaching tackling through precision and technique
• The difference between social media coaching and real coaching

If you want to connect with Sam, you can find his coaching content at SMPerformance on Instagram.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

To find out more about our Partner Club offer

CLICK HERE

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!

Send a text

What 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” through social learning, psychological safety and deliberate coaching design.

From coaching in Russia and Kazakhstan to supporting Olympic programmes and even ballet companies, he shares powerful lessons about:

• Why psychological safety is misunderstood
• The balance between accountability and freedom
• How culture shapes coaching effectiveness
• Why framing matters more than motivation
• How small check-in rituals can transform team dynamics

This conversation goes beyond theory. It explores what it really means to be the adult in the room — to create clarity, set standards and invite contribution without losing performance edge.

To find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach Weekly

To find out more about our Partner Club offer

CLICK HERE

Also, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!