From surviving a brutal scrum to the triumph of scoring a try, playing rugby comes with many highs and can offer a number of benefits. As well as being a great stress reliever, rugby can help build muscle mass and strength and you might even make a few mates along the way!

Intrigued? Here’s five reasons we think you should start playing this popular sport.

It’s a great way to build muscle

If you’re keen to increase full body strength, then rugby could be the sport for you. Strong arms are essential for tackling and throwing, while you’ll need sturdy thighs and legs to survive those scrums and tear across the pitch at top speed. Consistent playing of this sport will help increase your strength, as well as your power.

It’ll help relieve stress

Stressed out? A good scuffle on the rugby pitch could change all that. As with any cardiovascular activity or sport, taking part releases feel-good endorphins that’ll lift your mood and encourage better sleep, meaning you’ll feel less stressed. Win!

It helps improve agility and speed

All that dodging players on the pitch can do wonders for your agility. You’ll need to be fast too, so frequent rugby playing can also improve your speed. You may think rugby players are big and bulky, but that doesn’t mean they can’t move with grace and ease. Agility and speed are two skills you can transfer to other sports, as well as your day to day life, meaning rugby can benefit many different areas of your life and general health.

It has great cardiovascular benefits

An obvious one, but important all the same. Most sports offer cardiovascular benefits and rugby is no different. From pacing across the pitch to kicking and diving, there’s no doubt that rugby will keep you super fit, while also helping to build your strength and stamina.

It’s a good way to make friends

The social element to sports is what attracts so many people in the first place (who else remembers signing up to several sports teams at freshers simply because the of the mid-week socials?) I mean, what’s not to love about getting fit, having fun and making friends too?! The bond between sports teams is often an unbreakable one. You’ll go through highs and lows together and, often, you’ll make friends for life. So, if you find it tough to form new friendships, joining a sports team should be on your to-do list.