Rugby is a territorial game and action is often concentrated at the side of the pitch. It's just luck if you are on the right side or not. Try and anticipate where line-outs will occur on your side of the pitch and get there before the forwards do. This is a good opportunity for close-up action or players jumping into the sky, so you'll need a shorter lens - preferably a second body.

Rugby players have developed a habit of using brightly-coloured gum-shields. These often make for good close-ups of mud-spattered players.

Goal-kickers often have obsessive habits in their preparations like making pristine little mounds of sand. Another good opportunity for interesting close-ups.

I hope that this last one does not make me sound like a perv. The forwards always bind in scrums, rucks, mauls and lineouts by grabbing each other's clothing. You then get some very interesting details in clothing that is stretched tightly or uncomfortably.

As an expat Brit myself who has been to several slug-fests, erm... Rugby League matches, is to think of these games as American Football without the protective uniforms.

Assuming you have the basics covered - are on the sidelines so to get shots of the action, you'll have a lens that goes out to at least 300mm and is as fast as you can get. I use a D7000 body as it works well at low light... Shoot at the fastest shutter and ISO speed you can get to without too much quality loss.

Look for action as the ball starts to move and when players move together, collide, tackle (try to isolate them from the rest of the action and you'll get some great shots).

Nobody will think any less of you if you use a monopod if the game is at night or it's an evening game as the sun goes down. Quite the opposite in fact - it's not a street photography walk about.

You can try and get the best CLOSE UP shots too. I have seen some really good images of faces with contorted expressions at these games. Moderate length (135mm) lens and if it's been raining and there is mud, so much the better. Lots of visual interest when it gets a little bit messy.

Same kind of advice as for Football... Be in front of the line of action as things move up the field. Observe how photographers who do this all the time place themselves and very important... If players are about to hit you/run all over you, drop your gear out of the way and lay down... *THEY* (the players) are the reason for being there, not you... *THEY* will usually not stop or run round you *THEY* may try to jump over you, but *WILL* collide with you if you are standing up!

If you enjoy it, buy a place on a sports shooters seminar and see how the pros do it. LOTS of tips about placement for getting good results at the better of those teaching events.

Hey all, I've been assigned 2 rugby games at the end of the week(men's and women's) and i have absolutely no feel for the sport.

Coincidentally Canada is playing Tonga at the Rugby world cup as i write this, which is giving me some ideas of what to shoot for.

im looking at some pics on sports sites but i'm hoping people here can provide some more specific advice.

I've shot football, soccer as well as hockey and basketball many times, so i've got the generalities covered, but what should i look for?

Thanks