The aim of this study was to analyse technical and tactical variables in relation to the tackle contest and try scoring in professional rugby union. Twenty-nine matches from the Domestic and European season of a professional male rugby union team were notated using a computerised analysis system. Thirty-seven performance indicators relating to technical and tactical components of the tackle contest and try scoring were identified through review of existing research literature and developed with two expert analysts from a professional rugby union team. Each performance indicator was compared between the case team and the opposition using Chi-Square test of significance and revealed statistical differences in tackle contest profiles, tries scored per phase, pitch location and behavioural origin of tries. For the tackle contest patterns were shown for 'going forward' (p<0.001), 'arm extended' (p<0.001) and 'inside/outside clean' (p<0.001) for the case team and their opposition. The case team scored more tries (n=64) than their opponents (n=42) during the Domestic and European season with more tries being scored during the first phase of play and less tries scored in the eighth phase. The case team scored and conceded more tries from lineout's, with the opposition scoring more tries from the yellow zone (50m-22m lines) on the field (24%). The findings highlight a number of factors that contribute to a successful tackle contest and to tries being scored for the case team. Analyses of technical indicators have shown that when the case team retains the ball at the tackle contest the attack was sustained and therefore, provide more scoring opportunities. However, in addition to keeping possession, it appears that the likelihood of scoring tries is associated with specific areas of the pitch in which behaviours occurred. The results of the tactical indicators have shown that playing within the attacking 22m goal line area increased the chance of tries being scored for the case team