Touch Roots of Rugby Union’s Stars: Waterman, Caslick, Cooper, Leota and So Many More

Many elite rugby union players started out with Touch or have played it alongside their professional careers. Before we knew their names in 15s or sevens, Touch shaped their skills.

Danielle Waterman, the celebrated England fullback and 2014 women’s World Cup winner, had long roots in Touch Rugby. Early in her career she played Touch at club and school level in New Zealand and England. Her experience in non‑contact formats helped build her evasive running and passing skills before she moved into 15s and later sevens with England and Great Britain

Charlotte Caslick is another example of a player who moved seamlessly between Touch and rugby sevens. Before becoming one of the world’s leading sevens players she represented Australia in Touch Football at both youth and open levels. She earned honours with Touch Football Australia and then translated those skills into Olympic golds and over 300 sevens appearances.

Quade Cooper, the Wallabies fly‑half known for his flair, has also shown an interest in Touch and its cousin sports. In 2025 he posted on social media inviting local Touch rugby competitions on the Gold Coast to contact him if they needed players. That suggests not only a love for non‑contact formats but a desire to keep playing Touch recreationally after a long 15s career

Jonny Leota currently plays Touch for one of the top franchises in Europe - 'NQ Rebels' and played Touch for the Cook Islands at the 2024 Touch World Cup. He also had consistent Touch presence in his youth and development. Touch is woven into life at secondary schools and local clubs in both countries .

Richie Mo’unga has played Touch for New Zealand before he played for the All Blacks, growing up in Christchurch and playing school rugby, he almost certainly developed core spatial and handling skills through Touch formats. In fact, many of New Zealand’s schoolboys who go on to first five‑eighth have a background in Touch  - check out the transfer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A00Rc50USA

Meg Jones played Touch for Wales in 2014 at the European Touch Championships in Swansea, and now has progressed to be one of, if not the most dangerous centre in Women's rugby union. And not to mention she is an Olympian for Rugby 7s as well!

Faith Nathan played Touch at school level and junior representative level in Australia before moving into professional sevens and union. She topped national scoring charts and represented Queensland and Australia in sevens before her teenage years, which implies Touch experience though specific records are less visible. Her quick try‑scoring style reflects skills honed in Touch environments.

Charlotte Caslick and Faith Nathan both score among the top in Australian sevens history with hundreds of tries. Caslick is second all‑time for matches played, Faith Nathan among top try scorers

This list could go on and on and on. Looking across these players it’s clear that Touch Rugby has helped shape elite careers. Touch builds spatial awareness, passing accuracy, off‑loading, communication and speed without contact. Danielle Waterman used that foundation in 15s and sevens. Charlotte Caslick and Faith Nathan developed into world‑class sevens players. Quade Cooper has shown he still wants Touch in his life. Mo’unga and Leota no doubt sharpened their play in early Touch games. These players show how Touch is a rich skill base for Rugby Union.