Rugby training help

[buckland015]

When training for rugby should I be training strength, speed, fitness, plyometrics etc all year round or should there be distinct phases where the focus is on one aspect, if so how should I arrange this?

[RollTideNation]

Usually, the majority of strength training is reserved for the off season. It switches up as you get closer to the season.

I like to use a 3 day/week strength training program with conditioning, speed, and plyometric work on off days (2x a week) in football off season. When I get closer to the season, I start doing a lot more conditioning work.

I don't play rugby but I do know a thing or two about combat sports.

[CunnieUK]

Focus on gaining strength over the off-season, with maybe one cardio session a week so you don't lose all your fitness. Pre-season you wanna gradually increase the amount of conditioning sessions, and this should also improve speed if you do something like hill sprints with any regularity. Over the course of the season I'd decrease the volume of your weightlifting sessions so that you aren't still sore for matches, while maintaining the intensity. Don't expect to gain too much strength over the season.

I play rugby (league) for a university 1st team, having played for an amateur team that made national semi finals, and generally it's always been done like this.