Attack
How to make a same-way attack really work
The most basic version of attacking in the professional era is the so-called ‘same-way’ or ‘around the corner’ attack...
Insight & analysis
Articles
Deep dives on the modern game from The Rugby Site's contributors and coaches.
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...
Analysis
Will All Black smarts outperform Springbok brawn in the RGR series?
There is more at work in this series than just a contest between the two best teams in the world, it is a battle for the future of the ga...
Latest posts
Kicking
Is the box-kick exit going out of fashion?
How to successfully pressure the box? Nick Bishop illustrates how teams are now finding ways to pressure the box kick...
Catch and Pass
Why do you need ball-playing forwards to create width on attack?
Ball playing tight forwards are the ones creating space in which their backs can flourish. Analyst Nick Bishop detail...
Leadership & Management
What can ‘tactical periodization’ mean in a game of Rugby?
‘Tactical Periodization’ is becoming a popular phrase in the sporting vocabulary. What is it? How is being effectivel...
Set Piece
Why the modern lineout peel is back to front
The times they are a-changing, and peels from the lineout are no longer confined to the open-side of the field. Nick ...
Attack
How to locate and exploit the low-energy defender
Nick Bishop depicts how Teams like to use multi-phase attack to exploit the low-energy defender.
Catch and Pass
Why ‘lefty-righty’ is so important on attack
Nick Bishop highlights the attacking value of distributors who can offer superior quality with their left-to-right pa...
Catch and Pass
When is a knock-on not a knock-on?
If the ball goes forward off, it is a knock-on and a scrum to the opposition, right? Well not always the case as Anal...
Breakdown
What does economy at the cleanout really look like?
The new ruck guidelines have accelerated the blurring of boundaries between ball-winners and ball-users, contact ‘gru...
Leadership & Management
Ennis Rugby Club producing Red Diamonds
How did 3 of 6 academy players come from Ennis Rugby club, in Co Clare, Ireland, not exactly a traditional powerhouse...
Defence
Why does defence look so different in the modern era?
Why is there a need to keep pace in the observation, and explanation of the game of Rugby? Many of the understanding...
Breakdown
Why Rugby is creeping into the grey area at ruck and maul
Professional coaches spend an awful lot of time looking for loopholes, or grey areas within the rugby lawbook which t...
