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Nick Bishop Here's what Nick thinks...

About Nick Bishop

Nick has worked as a rugby analyst and advisor to Graham Henry (1999-2002), Mike Ruddock (2004-2006) and latterly Stuart Lancaster (2011-2015). He also worked on the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and produced his first rugby book with Graham Henry at the end of the tour. Since then, three more rugby books have followed, all of which of have either been nominated for, or won national sports book awards. The latest is a biography of Phil Larder, the first top Rugby League coach to successfully transfer over to Union. It is entitled “The Iron Curtain”. Nick has also written or contributed to four other books on literature and psychology.
“He is currently writing articles for The Roar and The Rugby Site, and working as a strategy consultant to Stuart Lancaster and the Leinster coaching staff for their European matches.”

Nick Bishop's latest articles

How to fake the kick and make the metres on exits

Typically, exit strategy involves the use of the kick, because the boot is the easiest way to move the ball upfield and relieve the pressure. Analyst Nick Bishop details how increasingly, exiting teams are looking for more subtle ways of finding space, to make their exits really count.

COMO AMAGAR UNA PATADA Y GANAR METROS CUANDO QUEREMOS SALIR DE NUESTRO TERRITORIO

Comúnmente muchos equipos usan el pie como una forma fácil y segura para salir de su zona de riesgo y aliviar la presión. El analista Nick Bishop detalla el como cada vez más los equipos buscan alternativas a esto para hacer que la salida se transforme en una herramienta de ataque.

How to “cheat” effectively in maul defence!

Law-making in Rugby Union is constantly trying to maintain pace with developments in a fast-moving professional game and for the most part, it is struggling to keep up. Analyst Nick Bishop highlights the area of the maul has now replaced the ruck as a case in point.

The one-two-punch: how to break down a red zone defence

Defences often become more resistant in the red zone because they no longer have to defend the depth of the field, they only have to defend its width. Analyst Nick Bishop illustrates how a one-two play combination is effective in breaking down the red zones defences.

Como armar una secuencia de ataque desde formaciones fijas - al estilo de Joe Schmidt

El analista Nick Bishop detalla como los lanzamientos de juego de cuatro fases que el ex entrenador de Irlanda Joe Schmidt utilizo contra Japón en la reciente copa del mundo, resultaron ser un arma muy efectiva a la hora de atacar.

How to build an attacking sequence from set-piece - the Joe Schmidt way

Analyst Nick Bishop details how ex-Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt four phase sequences proved potent against Japan during the recent RWC.

How to beat a bigger team - lessons from the lineout

One of the major issues which can arise for rugby teams at all levels – but more especially for sides playing amateur football – is how to combat a differential in size and power. Nick Bishop looks at how to combat height and size at the lineout.

Why defence won South Africa the World Cup

Ultimately it was defence which proved to be South Africa’s trump card for a third time at the 2019 RWC. Analyst Nick Bishop details the nuances of South Africa’s Rush defence that proved so effective

England vs. New Zealand – what a difference a week makes!

Only seven short days separated the All Blacks’ attacking success against a rush defence versus Ireland and their failure against England’s version. Analyst Nick Bishop explains how the Speed and accuracy of the analytical process helped England learn and adjust their defence to blunt the All Black’s attack.

How the All Blacks are looking to beat the rush in Japan

All Blacks Attack coach Ian Foster had a point to prove against an Andy Farrell coached defence, and to his credit, he proved it. Analyst Nick Bishop examines how he did it.