Rhino Guide to Rugby Tackle Bags
Rhino is the world’s number one technical training equipment manufacturer building tackle bags in the UK using unique grade foam and canvas construction since the early 1990s. From junior round bags to elite Jackal systems, every bag is engineered to improve technique, strength, and contact quality.
The Basics
What is a Rugby Tackle Bag?
A tackle bag is a freestanding or ground-level padded training aid that players run into, drive against, or clear at the breakdown. Unlike a hit shield which is held by a coach, a tackle bag is self-supporting making it ideal for high-volume repetition work, circuit training, and solo conditioning sessions.
Rhino tackle bags are built around a unique grade foam core wrapped in a heavy-duty canvas or PVC outer. This combination delivers maximum impact absorption, rapid shape recovery between reps, and outstanding longevity even in the most demanding training environments.
The range covers every need from lightweight round bags for first contact at mini level, to specialist Jackal training systems used by international squads and the British & Irish Lions.
Tackle Technique
Drive into the bag with correct body position, leg drive, and shoulder contact replicating live match contact safely and repeatedly.
Breakdown & Jackal Work
Specialist bags like the Silverback or Tackle Jackal simulate a body at the breakdown, training the support player body angles used at the ruck.
Strength & Conditioning
Tackle bags are essential for all year round training and conditioning used in circuits, sled-style drives, and repeated contact sets to build contact fitness.
Tackle Bag vs Hit Shield
A tackle bag stands alone and is great for solo or circuit work. A hit shield is held by a person, giving live control of angle and resistance. Most squads use both.
Start Here
Quick Tackle Bag Finder
Answer two questions to get a personalised recommendation for your squad or training need.
Find Your Tackle Bag
Select your answers below.
01 Who is it for?
02 What type of training?
Suggested Bags
Shop All Tackle Bags →
Understanding the Range
Tackle Bag Types Explained
Not all tackle bags do the same job. Here’s what each type is designed for and who it’s designed for.
Round Tackle Bag
The most versatile bag in the range. Cylindrical shape with a flat base that stands upright for tackle practice, or rolls on its side for ruck and drive work. Available in junior and senior sizes. The foundation of any contact session.
All Levels
Includes: Mini & Junior Round Bag, Junior Round & Doughnut Ring, Round Tackle Bag
Jackal & Breakdown Bag
Specialist bags that simulate the body position of a tackler or jackal at the breakdown. The Tackle Jackal is Rhino’s most popular breakdown bag alongside the Single Jackal, Jackal Ring, and the elite-level Silverback, our most specialist piece of kit in this area.
Breakdown Specialist
Includes: Tackle Jackal Bag, Single Jackal, Jackal Ring, Silverback
Chop Bag
A low-profile bag designed specifically for chop tackle and leg tackle training. The shape and height target low contact work training players to get under the ball carrier with correct leg drive and body position. Available in junior and XL.
Low Tackle & Chop
Includes: Junior Chop Bag, Chop Tackle Bag, Chop Bag XL
Climbing & Turtle Bag
Heavy-duty bags used for contact strength and conditioning. Players jump into or physically climb these bags to catch building the explosive contact strength and body positioning needed at senior and elite level.
Strength & Conditioning
Includes: Club Climbing Bag, Pro Climbing Bag (Turtle Bag)
The Range
All Tackle Bags & Breakdown Equipment
Filter by playing level or training type to find the right bag for your squad.
Minis U9s
Mini & Junior Tackle Bag
The first bag young players train with correctly sized, safely built, and made with the same grade foam as the senior range.
- Correctly sized and weighted for mini players
- Same Rhino grade foam core as the senior range
- Canvas outer construction for durability
- Ideal for first contact and confidence building
Size: Mini / Junior
View Bag
Minis U9s
Junior Round Bag & Doughnut Ring
Two-piece junior contact system bag and ring together for greater versatility.
- Includes round tackle bag and doughnut ring
- Ring adds a realistic target area for ruck entry drills
- Canvas and grade foam construction throughout
- Ideal for junior age-grade contact sessions
Size: Junior
View Bag
U10 – U14 Chop
Junior Chop Bag
Training the chop tackle from junior level correct height, correct habits from the start.
- Low-profile shape targets leg tackle technique
- Trains correct body position on every rep
- Grade foam construction absorbs repeated low contact
- Junior sizing appropriate for developing players
Size: Junior
View Bag
U15s & Above General Contact
Round Tackle Bag
The most versatile bag in the senior range used by clubs at every level worldwide.
- Unique Rhino grade foam core for superior absorption
- Heavy-duty canvas outer for long-term durability
- Stands upright or rolls for ruck and drive work
- Used by the British & Irish Lions
Size: Senior
View Bag
U15s & Above Chop
Chop Tackle Bag
The go-to for chop tackle training. Trusted by senior squads and international programmes.
- Low-profile design targets chop and ankle tackle mechanics
- Grade foam core absorbs repeated low-contact reps
- Canvas outer construction for maximum durability
- Used by the British & Irish Lions
Size: Senior
View Bag
Senior Chop XL
Chop Bag XL
More mass, more resistance for senior squads who train at full intensity.
- Oversized version of the Chop Bag for greater resistance
- Ideal for larger players and high-intensity sessions
- Grade foam and canvas construction throughout
- Superior absorption for repeated contact sets
Size: Senior
View Bag
U15s & Above Breakdown
Single Jackal Bag
Simulates the tackler trying to win the ball at the breakdown essential for modern support play.
- Simulates the jackal body position at the breakdown
- Trains support players to adopt correct body angles
- PVC outer for ultimate reliability
- Dimensions: 400mm × 760mm × 1000mm / 8kg
Size: All Ages
View Bag
U10s & Above Breakdown
Tackle Jackal Bag
The complete breakdown training system. As used by the British & Irish Lions.
- Full breakdown body simulation for contact and jackal work
- Trains tackle, clear-out, and jackal technique in one unit
- Grade foam and canvas construction for elite durability
- Used by the British & Irish Lions
Sizes: Junior / Senior
View Bag
U10s & Above Breakdown Ring
Jackal Ring
The breakdown ring adds a realistic ruck entry target to any tackle bag session.
- Ring shape simulates the ruck entry gate
- Used over or alongside tackle bags for breakdown drills
- Available in junior and senior sizes
- Used by the British & Irish Lions
Sizes: Junior / Senior
View Bag
U15s & Above High Ball
Club Climbing Bag
Contact strength training for senior club squads. Built to take serious volume.
- Players jump into or physically climb the bag to catch
- Builds explosive contact strength and body positioning
- Grade foam core provides resistance and shape recovery
- Heavy-duty construction for high-volume S&C use
Size: Senior
View Bag
Senior High Ball
Pro Climbing Bag
The Turtle Bag players jump into or climb to catch. As used by the British & Irish Lions.
- Pro-specification contact conditioning system
- Players jump into or physically climb the bag to catch
- Maximum grade foam density for elite resistance
- As used by the British & Irish Lions
Size: Senior
View Bag
Senior Full Breakdown Simulation
Silverback
Full body breakdown simulation system the most specialist piece of tackle training kit in the Rhino range.
- Simulates a full body at the breakdown for realistic simulation
- Trains tackle, jackal, and clear-out angles in one system
- Maximum grade foam for sustained high-intensity use
- Used by the British & Irish Lions
Size: Senior
View Bag
Custom Branding
Want Your Club Badge on Any Tackle Equipment?
Rhino’s bespoke service is available on every piece of tackle equipment in the range tackle bags, Jackal bags, chop bags, climbing bags, and more. Your colours, your badge, your sponsors on the world’s number one technical training equipment.
Coach’s Corner
What Are You Training?
Every coach has different priorities. Here are six common training scenarios and the bags that solve them.
Scenario 01
“I’m introducing contact to younger players for the first time.”
Start with the Mini & Junior Round Tackle Bag lightweight, correctly sized, and built with the same grade foam as the senior range. The round shape lets younger players build confidence before progressing to more specific bags.
Mini & Junior Tackle Bag / Junior Round Bag & Doughnut Ring
Scenario 02
“I need a general-purpose bag for senior club contact sessions.”
The Round Tackle Bag is the most versatile option in the range it stands upright for tackle work, rolls on its side for ruck and drive sessions, and is built to handle the volume of a full club training week. The standard choice for clubs worldwide.
Rhino Round Tackle Bag
Scenario 03
“We need to improve our chop tackle and low contact.”
The Chop Bag and Chop Bag XL are purpose-built for this the low-profile shape targets leg tackle mechanics, forcing correct body position and leg drive on every rep. Available in junior and senior/XL for all levels.
Rhino Chop Tackle Bag / Chop Bag XL / Junior Chop Bag
Scenario 04
“I want to coach the breakdown and jackal technique properly.”
The Jackal Bag, Single Jackal, and Jackal Ring are the only bags specifically designed for breakdown training. They simulate the body position of a jackal or tackler at the breakdown, training support players to get their angles right essential for modern ruck coaching.
Jackal Bag / Single Jackal / Jackal Ring
Scenario 05
“We want to add contact strength to our pre-season programme.”
The Club and Pro Climbing Bags are the tools for this players jump into or physically climb these bags to catch, building the explosive contact strength needed at senior level. Essential for pre-season conditioning blocks.
Club Climbing Bag / Pro Climbing Bag (Turtle Bag)
Scenario 06
“We’re a professional squad who need the best kit available.”
The Silverback and Pro Climbing Bag represent the top of the Rhino range the same systems used by the British & Irish Lions. For contact training at the highest level of the game, these are the only bags that can handle sustained elite-level volume.
Rhino Silverback / Pro Climbing Bag / Jackal Bag
The Rhino Difference
World Number One in Technical Training Equipment
Rhino is the world’s number one technical training equipment manufacturer, trusted by the British & Irish Lions, international federations, and thousands of clubs worldwide. Our unique grade foam and canvas construction is engineered specifically for rugby contact training not adapted from other sports.
Every bag in the range is built in the UK, tested at the highest level of the game, and backed by the same 30-year heritage that makes Rhino the name coaches trust when it matters.
01
Unique Grade Foam
Rhino’s proprietary foam specification is engineered for rugby maximum impact absorption, rapid shape recovery, and long-term resilience under high-volume use.
02
Canvas & PVC Construction
Heavy-duty canvas and PVC outers built for outdoor training environments. Resistant to abrasion, moisture, and the sustained punishment of daily use.
03
Made in the UK
Every tackle bag is designed and built in the UK. Quality is controlled at every stage from foam specification through to final stitching and finishing.
04
Trusted Worldwide
Used by the British & Irish Lions, international programmes, Premiership clubs, and grassroots coaches across more than 40 countries.
Shop the Full Range
Browse every tackle bag in the Rhino range, or contact us if you need help choosing the right equipment for your squad.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about choosing and using Rhino rugby tackle bags.
A tackle bag is self-supporting it stands or sits on its own, allowing players to train independently or in circuit-style sessions without needing a holder. A hit shield is held by a coach or assistant, who controls the angle, height, and resistance in real time. Tackle bags are better for solo work, high-volume repetition, and conditioning. Hit shields are better for interactive, technique-focused drills where coach control matters. Most squads use both.
Rhino is the world’s number one technical training equipment manufacturer, and the key differentiator is the unique grade foam used in every bag. This foam specification is engineered specifically for rugby contact training it absorbs impact effectively, recovers its shape rapidly between reps, and maintains its performance properties over a long service life. Combined with the heavy-duty canvas and PVC outer construction and UK manufacturing, Rhino bags consistently outlast and outperform alternatives.
For younger players, start with the Mini & Junior Tackle Bag it’s correctly sized, lightweight enough to be safe, and built from the same grade foam as the senior range. As players progress, the Junior Round Bag & Doughnut Ring adds ruck entry practice, and the Junior Chop Bag introduces low tackle technique. All junior bags are specifically sized for developing players, not just smaller versions of senior equipment.
The Jackal Bag (and Single Jackal) are specialist breakdown training bags that simulate the body position of a tackler or jackal at the ruck. They train support players to adopt the correct low body angles needed to contest the ball or clear out at the breakdown one of the most technically demanding areas of the modern game. If you coach forwards at senior or junior level, a Jackal bag is one of the most impactful pieces of equipment you can add. The Jackal Ring complements these by providing a gate-like ruck entry target.
The Chop Bag is a low-profile tackle bag designed specifically for chop tackle and leg tackle training. Its height and shape force players into a low body position training correct tackle mechanics at the legs and ankles. Available as a Junior Chop Bag for developing players, a standard Chop Tackle Bag for senior club use, and the Chop Bag XL for larger players or high-intensity senior sessions. Any squad that wants to improve their low tackle technique will benefit from having at least one.
The Climbing Bag (also known as the Turtle Bag at Pro level) is a contact strength and conditioning tool. Players drive into it, push it over, or physically climb it developing the explosive leg drive, body position, and contact strength needed at senior and elite level. The Club Climbing Bag is suited to senior club S&C work; the Pro Climbing Bag is the elite specification used by the British & Irish Lions. Both are essential pre-season tools for forwards coaches.
As a general guide, for a senior squad of 30 you’ll need 6–10 bags depending on your training style. A typical mixed set might include 4–6 round tackle bags for general contact, 2 chop bags for low tackle work, and 1–2 Jackal Bags for breakdown sessions. Many clubs supplement with a climbing bag for pre-season conditioning. For junior squads, start with 4–6 junior bags and build from there. Rhino offers volume pricing contact the team for a squad quote.
After training, shake off any mud and wipe the outer surface with a damp cloth. Avoid leaving bags wet, as prolonged moisture exposure can degrade the foam over time. Store bags in a dry, ventilated area stacking them horizontally where possible. Avoid leaving them in direct sunlight or under heavy loads that could compress the foam permanently. Rhino’s canvas and PVC outers are designed for outdoor use, but routine care significantly extends the service life of every bag.
Yes Rhino’s Bespoke Round Tackle Bag service lets you add your club badge, custom colourway, and sponsor logos to the world’s number one tackle bag. The same grade foam and canvas construction as the standard range, with full custom branding applied in-house. Contact the team at sales@rhino.direct for minimum quantities, lead times, and pricing.