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In this episode of the Rugby Coach Weekly podcast, Dan Cottrell speaks to Martin McTaggart, RFU Playing Pathways Manager, about the EDGE framework, a way of helping coaches, selectors and pathway volunteers think more clearly about potential in young players.

Martin explains why current performance can be a poor guide to future potential, especially when players arrive with very different rugby backgrounds, sporting experiences and levels of opportunity. A player who has had ten years of coaching is not the same as a player who has only been in the game for a year, so why should we assess them as if they are starting from the same place?

The conversation explores the four parts of EDGE: Explore, Decision-making, Growth and Effort. These can help coaches look beyond the obvious. Rather than simply asking who is the strongest, fastest or most polished on the day, Martin challenges us to think about what players might become with the right support.

Dan and Martin also dig into the problems with one-off trials, the dangers of bias, the limits of “coachability”, and why better assessment needs “many eyes, many times, many environments”.

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In this episode, Dan Cottrell speaks to Mark Williams, head coach of North Division U18s, lead rugby coach at Birkenhead School, a forward's coach with Lymm in National Two, and Liverpool John Moores University director of rugby,

The conversation starts with the value of coaching relationships, especially the importance of having trusted people around you who will challenge lazy planning, sharpen your thinking, and keep you honest. Mark reflects on working with Sarah Jones, a highly respected Level 3 coach, and how her calm, detailed approach has influenced the way he prepares and delivers sessions.

The discussion then moves deep into the scrum, from the difference between loosehead and tighthead roles to how coaches can introduce scrummaging safely with younger players. Mark explains why safety, body position, foot placement, and stability matter before anything more tactical is added.

The second half explores Mark’s key coaching qualities: honesty, respect, detail, clarity, and organisation. He explains how honest feedback changes depending on the environment, from Year 7 rugby to National Two selection conversations, and why players need to trust that feedback is given to help them improve.

You can find more of Mark's insights on his TikTok page: @MWRugbyCoaching.

And his Instagram page: @mwrugbycoaching

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

To find out more about our Partner Club offer

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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!

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Pads, tackle shields and crash mats can be some of the most useful kit in a rugby session, but only when coaches know exactly why they are using them.

In this 50:22 episode, Dan Cottrell and Stu James discuss the role of contact equipment in training. They explore how pads can reduce impact, build confidence, develop body shape and allow players to enjoy physicality, while also warning against the false habits they can create if players hit them in ways they would never use in a game.

The key message is simple: Equipment is a tool, not a solution. Coaches need to know when pads help learning, when they simply create activity, and when it is time to take them away.

For any coach working on tackle, ruck or contact confidence, this episode offers a practical reminder: It does not have to be perfect, but it does have to be intentional.

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!