Therefore it is imperative that a forwards rugby boot has more stability and offers the maximum amount of traction from its stud configuration. As forwards are usually on the bigger side there is also a need for these boots to have a wide fit to accommodate big feet. That lightweight construction also doesn’t ignore protection. Puma say the upper has Matryxevo carbon yarn technology and a microfibre speedcage. What that feels like is a firm, but flexible, upper which deflects all but the most insistent stud. The Canterbury Rugby Boot collection features different models to suit different playing positions.

We tried these on straight out of the box. They are lightweight. Extremely lighweight. Lightweight to the point that you feel they must be compromising on something. But, on firm surfaces, or if you play on 4G pitches, they offer everything you need.

These boots are made for rugby...

They are incredibly light and feel fast when you put them on. The knitted upper won’t be for everyone. I found it a little tight for my wide feet whereas a team-mate, with narrower feet, felt they were very comfortable and secure.

The knit upper is reinforced near the sole so it does feel like you are wearing high-performance boots rather than a high-performance sweater. The studs were more than grippy enough for a Manchester pitch in July after some recent heavy rain. Unless you had particularly poor underfoot conditions you could probably wear them year round. Our testers noted genuine improvements in their speed. The lightweight construction really does encourage you to accelerate and jink and dart where you please There’s no getting away from it, they are very expensive. Puma has other boots in the range (Ultra 2.4 and Ultra 3.4), which are cheaper while still offering some of the same featuresPlenty of features you would find on a more expensive boot but at half, or sometimes a quarter, of the cost of their competitors With Canterbury boots, the two boots in the range suited to forwards are the Stampede and Phoenix. The Canterbury Stampede Rugby Boot is best suited to the front five of the scrum. The Props, Hookers, and Second Rows. This is because the Stampede is one of the widest boots on the market, it is also extremely supportive and offers superb traction through its 8 screw-in studs. Last year’s boots, recommended by Rugby World, are available for up to 75% cheaper than the latest Kakaris

The Future Z 2.3 is certainly eye-catching; it will probably catch your opponents eye as you tear past them on the way to scoring! There are a couple of questions you should have in mind when buying a pair of boots; what position will I be playing and on what surface. Would suit any player regardless of position. If you are a scrummaging prop or a flighty winger, or even Tipuric himself, you will benefit from this bootWhat should you look out for in a boot? Most boots will be specified as either soft ground (SG) or firm ground (FG). If you are unsure of your position then you can get a pair of do-it-all boots. They won’t necessarily be the best for any individual position but they will allow you to play anywhere as you get to know the game. The Phoenix Genesis Elites are the most expensive on this list but they offer a lot for that price. They are designed by Welsh flanker Justin Tipuric. Tipuric is famous for his ability to play all across the pitch and these cleats match that. No matter which position you end up playing, you would benefit from a pair of the Genesis Elites. Soft-ground boots are for the mid-season when the ground is muddy with little grip. They will have traditional studs; long, rounded, and metal. Firm-ground boots are for better surfaces where you can forgo long studs in favour of sleeker plastic pegs, shorter metal studs, or a combination of the two.