Sam Tomkins is a current England Rugby League representative who plays his club Rugby with Wigan. His position of choice is stand off or fullback. In 2010 he was nominated for Super League's Man of Steel award, losing out narrowly to Wigan team mate Pat Richards. He has won Super League's young player of the year award in both 2009 and 2010.

“For whatever reason, some people can't play Rugby League at an amateur level. It's a big commitment to train twice a week and play on weekends, and some people don't have the time. Or maybe they're knees aren't up to it anymore, or they can't risk being injured because of their jobs.

"Playing Tag Rugby is great because people can get all the enjoyment of playing, without risking injury."

Cameron Phelps (Wigan Warriors)

"Tag Rugby is a great off season training tool for Rugby League & Rugby Union players. Tag Rugby will keep you fit, improve your hand eye co-ordination & improve your passing and kicking game.

Numerous NRL players back in Australia play Tag Rugby during the off season. The best thing is, anyone can play! The sport includes males, females, juniors & masters. I highly recommend giving it a go!"

Mark O'Meley is a former Australian Rugby League representative with 15 caps to his name. He has also played 10 State or Origins for New South Wales and currently players in the Engage Super League for Hull FC.

"Tag Rugby is the closest non-contact sport you will get to Rugby League! It helps improve key skills such as kicking, passing & line running. It's a sport that is ideal as an off-season training tool for Rugby players. It's played in the 7 a side format so it's great for your fitness and grabbing the tags really improves your hand eye co-ordination.

It's a great mixed sport too! Females who love there Rugby but are not keen on the contact, here is your chance to get involved! Whether your a competitive or social player, I highly recommend playing Tag Rugby. It's great fun!"

Iestyn Harris (left) is a professional Rugby player who has had an outstanding career in both League and Union.

Currently coaching with Crusaders RL in Wales, Harris has played for the Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves. Harris has represented Great Britain seven times in Rugby League. In 2001 he switched to Rugby Union, winning 25 caps for Wales over the course of the next four years. Harris is the national coach of the Welsh Rugby League side.

"Tag Rugby is a fast and exciting sport that anybody can enjoy. It incorporates all your rugby skills, but without the contact"

Chad Randall has had a distinguished Rugby League career with Manly in Australia and Harlequins in the UK where he currently plays.

"Quite a few of the boy's played Tag Rugby in the off season when I was at the Manly Sea Eagles. It's a great off season sport for Rugby players as it works on your fitness, ball skills and line running.

With Try Tag Rugby now in the UK, I'm sure it won't be long before the Super League player's get involved. I'm a big fan of Tag Rugby, my sister has represented Australia on a number of occasions"

Willie Bishop (right) is a current Australian Rugby Union 7's player. Bishop travels the world on the IRB 7's circuit and has his sights on representing Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Rugby 7's. Bishop has spent time playing Rugby League with the Manly Sea Eagles (2006-2007), Sydney Roosters (2004-2005) and the New Zealand Warriors (2003). Bishop is also an outstanding Tag Rugby player, having represented Australia on a number of occasions.

"Tag Rugby is a fantastic sport. It assisted me with my Rugby by keeping me fit in the off-season and fine tuning my Rugby skills. It's loads of fun, I recommend you give it a go!"

Wade McKinnon (left) is a professional Rugby League player currently with the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL competition. McKinnon made his professional debut for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2002 where he made 26 appearances for the club. He later signed for the Parramatta Eels in 2004 making another 51 first team appearances. McKinnon joined the New Zealand Warriors in 2007

"I really enjoy playing Tag Rugby. It's fun, good for your fitness and a great way to meet new people. Tag Rugby is a great way to involve ex-players and girls as it's the closest sport to Rugby League that is non contact. It's great to see Tag Rugby taking off in the UK. A lot of the NRL players in Australia and New Zealand play in the off season and I'm sure the Super League players will start to as well. Tag definitely assisted my game"

James Storer (right) is a current Fiji International who represented Fiji in all four fixtures at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Fiji made it through to the semi final stages and Storer played an integral role in this campaign. Storer has played in the NRL and has had stints at the St.George Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Parramatta Eels and Cronulla Sharks. Storer is also a keen Tag Rugby player.

"Playing Tag Rugby (Oztag) in Australia was the best for my off season. Not only did it keep me fit, it kept me sharp for my position as well. It's the closest you will get to playing Rugby League without the knocks. My hand eye coordination improved trying to pull the tags off the opposition. The great thing about Tag Rugby is that you can play into your 50's and girls can join in. I haven't missed a season!"

Player Testimonials

“Tag Rugby is fast, fun and exciting. Whether you’re looking for a bit of fitness, competitive matches, or just a social outlet, Tag Rugby's got it all!” - Vicken Manougian

"For years I played Touch Rugby in London, and thought it was great fun. However since taking up Tag Rugby, I have found a far more varied and exciting sport. The ability to place grubber kicks and the extra skill needed in defence make for a better sport than touch. I also don't miss the arguments over phantom touches." - Chris Smith

“I played in the North London Tag Rugby competition at Finsbury Park during Autumn 2009. I went along with a friend who had played Oztag in Australia and said it was a great sport to play. I had never played any form of rugby before so the first couple of weeks were a bit challenging as I got to grips with the rules. However once I knew what I was doing the game was great fun to play, good cardiovascular fitness and I even managed to score a few tries. Most weeks after playing we went back to the Faltering Fullback, which is a fab little pub hidden in the back streets of Finsbury Park. I'll definitely be signing up again when competition resumes in 2010.”‎ - Becky Gray


"I came to the game with virtually no rugby experience. They've been perfectly welcoming to players of all types of skill and ability. It's tough, fast and great fun." - Bill Martin


“I enjoy playing Tag Rugby as it allows me to meet people while playing a sport I love. As it is a new sport in London it has been good to play in a fun social setting with others who either enjoy the sport as well or are just learning. Try Tag Rugby have started a great thing, it's worth getting involved!” - Melissa Spero

"I started playing tag rugby last summer/autumn and have really enjoyed playing it. It's great exercise and a great way of meeting new people. The games are enjoyable and fun and whilst competitive, are mostly not taken too seriously. The games are properly refereed (although some dont always agree with the referee!!) by fully trained officials which helps make the game more enjoyable. Also, for many of us, it is one of the few opportunities we will get to represent our country, with regular international games being played between teams from the various countries.

I would recommend tag rugby for everyone, but most especially for those who are (like myself) not bothered or built for playing full-contact rugby but also those looking to make new friends. It's a great way of creating a new circle of friends, with an excellent social scene both after the games and at weekends, with the organisers regularly organising trips to various sporting events in London. Come and see for yourself!" - John Stafford

Thoughts on playing for the London England mixed Tag Rugby team and the Monday league at Canada Water from Jayne Breakwell.