Ashley Gallegos with the kick for Pasadena RFC (2017)  Last season Pasadena established itself as one of the top women’s sides in the Southern California Rugby Football Union (SCRFU), and is poised to make another run for the post season this year. The Rugby Breakdown, just did a great story a week or so ago about the Pasadena RFC (the Royals) that looked at their efforts this season. This story however is not covering the same topic. This story is about the women of Pasadena RFC and a look behind the scenes of this club. The Royals are the oldest women’s club in California. We were able ..read more

A few weeks ago we featured 17 year old Ryan James, Jr of  San Diego, who had been one of four California players selected to join the Glendale Merlin's U-20 team (Academy squad). Ryan James is 6'1 and 175-lbs... still 17 years old.  Ryan James (left) & Coach David Synott (right). Glendale, CO 2017 (photo S.James) This past weekend James made his first appearance for the program at the RugbyTown 7s . Just two-weeks into his U-20s Elite Development Program/Academy under the Glendale Merlin's Head Coach David Synott,  Ryan was given the opportunity not only by his Coach ..read more

So we want to preface this story by recognizing the parents in the game. So often with youth players we speak of their talents, the coaches, the programs and all the work that goes into producing the next generation of ruggers, but overlooked are the parents and their contributions.  This story was made possible by the assistance of Sonya James, Ryan James’ mother and one of his biggest supporters. So this is a story about an outstanding youth rugger from California who has been selected by the Glendale Raptors (now a part of Major League Rugby (MLR)) to be part of their U-20 program. We ..read more

Here we share a links to videos from Tony Ridnell (used with his conset). Check out his site for more on Tony's positions. Tony is seeking to become the Chairman for USA Rugby.  This is diffrent than the Chief Exectuive Officer (CEO) which is held by Dan Payne. We all have had our issues with USA Rugby if you've been around the game for any period of time. USA Rugby not only handles our international sides, but also regulates all levels of rugby including the club rugby many of you play with. You'd have frustrations about the state of the game? Frustrated why overall with all this talent ..read more

Orene Ai'i of the SF Rush with the ball against Denver Stampede. Photo by Broadfootography 2016. If you want to get a good perspective of rugby in the Golden State you’d want some someone who has been involved at all levels of rugby to give you their take.   You’d want someone involved with youth level, involved with club rugby (at the various levels), and if possible with sheer luck, someone with professional and even international experience.  Someone like that could provide some great insight and perspective on the state of the game.   So where can you find such a ..read more

This isn’t an accurate representation of the game! It catches your attention and for the American viewer who likes the hard hits of football it may even engage them, but its not helping with growth of the game. It’s not how to promote the game.  What I am ranting  about are all these video clips that you see on social media (primarily Facebook) that show very hard (yes they are exciting), violent hits. I say hits because often the footage is of a player making a big  hit on another player. They aren’t tackles which is required in Rugby Union. The clips are showing guys runn ..read more

He stands at close to six foot five inches and weights 220lbs. He has been a four year starter for the Fresno State Men’s Rugby and has now been selected to his fourth Pacific Western Rugby Conference Select Side. Making four college conference select sides is an accomplishment regardless of the school or the conference! The "he" I'm referring to is Jackson Wagner. The imposing lock is Fresno State’s first ever four time conference selection. This year the senior was joined by three more Fresno State Bulldogs, making this the first time the Bulldogs have had more than two players receivi ..read more

Elsie Allen's Rugby club is recognized as a top level high school rugby program. Alan Petty should be recognized as one of the top high school rugby coaches in the state if not the County. Coach Petty has made the Lobos Rugby Club (of Elsie Allen High School in Santa Rosa, California) into a regional and really a national power. The Lobos are consistently one of the top high school boys clubs in Nor Cal  and California (which currently boosts 13 clubs in the top 40 clubs in the nation according to the Goff Report this week).  Petty has been able to do this in a small town of 170,000 ..read more

You can call Jacob Nelson a man of all seasons.  He is involved with rugby all year round. From playing for San Francisco Golden Gate’s (SFGG) top sides, to coaching rugby, to his day jobs as a professional strength and conditioning coach to being the founder/director to the Tight Five 7s. Jacob Nelson in his S&C mode.  By day Jacob is a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. Earning a bachelors degree from Humboldt State in Kinesiology, he also got an internship in 2009 after college with the National Strength & Conditioning Association in Colorado Springs wh ..read more

Nana Fa'avesi wrecks the attacker in this photo (that blur is her).  Nana Fa’avesi may have already had one of the best hits of the year for the HSBC 7s World Series with her crushing tackle at the start of the 7s season.  If you search out images of her you’ll find she’s either running away from people or going Heisman on defenders with that fending straight arm. We first chatted with Joanne “Nana” Fa’avesi last year when she was working to make the USA 7s Olympic Roster for Rio (which she did make).  Back then we said she was a beast and she hasn’t disappointed.  We cau ..read more