Set Piece
Does New Zealand need a true lineout number 8 in the Kieran Read mould?
The previously unbeaten Blues lost a total of ten of their own throws to the lineout in their Super Rugby Pacific 202...
Insight & analysis
Articles
Deep dives on the modern game from The Rugby Site's contributors and coaches.
Set Piece
‘Skrum, skrum, skrum’ part 2 – what the Boks want to do and how to stop it
RGR series has been rugby’s has been a massive clash of styles. None more so at scrum time. The penalty problem at the scrum has been hig...
Set Piece
Skrum, skrum, skrum: what is the future of the scrum after RGR 3? – part one
Refereeing culture and background clearly make a huge difference to the officiating of the scrum As Nick Bishop expertly illustrates a sp...
Latest posts
Set Piece
How to use the attacking lineout drive to split the defence
The maul remains one of the most contentious issues in rugby. Nick Bishop looks at the latest contentious development...
Breakdown
How to double up at the defensive breakdown
Win more of the collisions between attacker and defender and go forward in the tackle, and you will probably win the ...
Conditioning
Why a scrum-half has to be the fittest man on the team
The modern scrum-half not only has to be the fittest man on the paddock in terms of aerobic endurance, he also has to...
Breakdown
How far can you clean out ahead of the ruck?
What is considered too far for support players clearing out? A ‘reasonable’ distance with ‘advantages’ as Nick Bishop...
Catch and Pass
How to use the reverse-pass to split the wood up the middle
Nick Bishop explores how a sussessful old move – the reverse pass, is gaining popularity to open new defences.
Set Piece
How to shave the odds by narrowing the gap at lineout time
Lineout defence is becoming ever more important in the modern game, as the lineout becomes the by far the major weapo...
Attack
How to run same-way attack with angled cleanouts
It is always nice when circumstances come together to make theory absolutely limpid, and crystal clear in practice. ...
Breakdown
How to find the right angle at cleanout time
Is the breakdown cleanout NFL blocking by another name? Nick Bishop provides some weight to Offensive Linemen techniq...
Defence
Why defence begins behind the goal-line, not in front of it
The new trial laws brought in on 1st August 2021 not only increased the effective attacking width of the field with t...
Attack
How to find scenarios to make the 50/22 work
The 50/22 kick is beginning to grow in value as the different scenarios in which it can be an Attack option are recog...
Attack
Why rugby news travels fast in the global game
A prop in the back field returning kicks in Australia Super rugby one week and in then the 6 Nations the next! Nick ...
