I too have taken to watching the Premiership (England) games. Still haven’t gotten the position names, but you don’t need to to enjoy the game. It is like tackle football played in soccer uniforms. Virtually no timeouts, few substitutions (but they do have temporary subs for head injuries and blood). The referee talks to the players (he is miked up and has a camera) to let them know how he expects them to play. In one game a couple of players got into each others’ faces and a few minutes later the ref is making them shake hands!
Rugby seems to get a lot of things right. You kick your extra points from where the try was scored. Score in the middle of the field, you get an easy shot. Score on the side lines, a much tougher one. They use video replay to make sure they get things right—even if a foul was committed or not. And then there is “relegation”. The last-place team at the end of the year is relegated out of the league and replaced by the best “minor league” team. Kind of keeps owners and players motivated.
Just watched two Japanese teams: Suntory vs TNN Technical. Awesome game. I love the fact that Japan has had a rugby history since 1865. Stands are packed for good games like this one.