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What is the best solution to an eight-man bench?How to get best use out of an eight-man bench? Nick Bishop looks at how teams are balancing their bench to suit their team strengths.
What defines the impact and effectiveness of a Jackaler/Pilferer?In this week’s analysis, analyst Nick Bishop breaks down the key metrics that define an effective jackaler/pilferer, using the current Super Rugby Pacific competition as a practical example.
What the new ‘escort’ rules mean for aerial contestablesThe new rules for ‘escort runners’ has created an unintended consequence and a far more open and less structured situation for both sides as Nick Bishop reports.
How to use the new scrum guidelines to free your attacking #9Nick Bishop outlines how new rules for the defending 9 at the scrum have created more 8/9 attack options.
How to make a point with your 5m driving maulA positive ‘red zone number’ relies on an effective 5m lineout drive. Nick Bishop explains what it takes to execute one successfully.
How to implement the ‘double jackal’ on DNick Bishop details how under the 2020 breakdown guidelines the ‘double jackal’ has become an important antidote to the production of ‘LQB’.
Why a counter-intuitive kick can be the red zone panaceaUsing last weekend’s France vs Wales 6 Nations match Nick Bishop illustrates why it is important to open the mind and keep all options open, including kicking, to overcome the ‘Offensive claustrophobia’ as it can it can offer the cleanest outcomes.
How to work a modern pod system with LQBModern pod systems have been transformed by the new breakdown guidelines. Nick Bishop looks what effects they are having on on current attack structures.
Why the new ‘escort’ rules will revive contestable kick-offsNick Bishop examines how the ‘no glove’ kicking defence has revived the interest in contestable kick-offs again.
Why more access to the high ball makes for a better game of rugbyRemoving the ‘glove defence’ results in a much cleaner and quicker development of the play, as evidenced by Nick Bishop in this week’s analysis.
How to shuffle the deck close to the goal-lineAnalyst Nick Bishop illustrates how the ‘use it or lose it’ mindset now applied (under the new law), to “The ball is played or taken into in-goal by an attacking player and is then held up”, is promoting more attacking innovation.
How to exploit the ELV on defensive scrum-halves [from scrum] – part 2Nick follows on from his earlier article on how the scrum has now became a favourite weapon of attack and the short-side was the red-hot area target zone.
