Posts Tagged ‘Ulm rugby’

Rugby Laws The Basics

The basics of rugby

Whilst living in Germany and starting this very website a number of Germans I spoke to did not understand rugby at all. They suggested that I should write a post explaining the the basics of rugby. So for those people out there that can’t really get into watching a game of rugby because you don’t know what is happening here is a brief introduction to the game of Rugby Union.

Whilst this video is a nice introduction there is much more to learn, however the next time you are watching a game hopefully your understanding will be a little better.

A Rugby Day In Germany at Ulm Rugby Club

Ulm Rugby Club

I currently work in Germany and on the rare occasions I do stay at the weekends I usually go and watch a rugby game, this weekend was such a weekend. Woke up, the time was 10.30 so I had to decide what I am going to do today. I then quickly had breakfast and headed out of the door a long walk to the train station for a short train ride to Ulm.

The rugby club VfB Ulm is situated in the city of Ulm. Ulm is a city in the German Region of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube and incidentally the birthplace of Albert Einstein and Ulm is home to the Ulm Minster Cathedral, having the world’s tallest church steeple (161.53 m (529.95 ft) high and 768 steps).

The Rugby club is known as VfB Ulm a small club that plays in the Bavarian regional league. Today was a match against the Ingolstadt Baboons; no seriously that is what they call themselves.

Ulm is a one team rugby club which consists of players from a number of countries around the world but most were actually Germans. At Ulm the experience is added by the expats with the youth and energy provided by the less experienced Germans. Ulm have hopes on developing a junior and mini sections in the future which would be fantastic for them in providing a steady flow of players and for German rugby in general.

The Germans in the team are mostly new to the game having either just started to play or played just a couple of seasons however they are very keen and are taking to rugby like ducks to water. I would say the standard of rugby to be similar to level 10 rugby in the UK. The actual game was quite an even affair, with the Baboons showing there superiority in the forward play, which is not surprising as they had some big lumps in there including a huge prop from Blackpool. On the other hand many of Ulm’s forwards were playing there first ever game of rugby today. The final score 17-7 to the Baboons.

A notable difference observed at the end of a game is that both teams line up facing each other on the half way line give 3 cheers for the opposition and then they form the tunnel, which is slightly different from back home. Crates of beer were bought to the pitch for the players as soon as the game ended, so efficient these Germans.

Ulm is a club that does not have a club house so for afters the players and spectators are able to purchase beer and I am told some days they have barbecues after games. However most of the post match drinks and food the players almost always end up at the pub called cheeers who are also the sponsor of Ulm rugby club. I was invited to come along, which I did Online Generic pills and had a very enjoyable evening. I can remember having a few beers and a little something to eat however not much more, needless to say that I made it back okay.

All in all I have a lovely day with the Ulm rugby club with some great people. Much like any other club in any part of the world this German team showed that they are a great example of a rugby club upholding the true spirit and traditions of Rugby Union, long may it continue.