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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.
Why the ‘Dupont’s Law’ change really makes a differenceThe ‘Dupont’ law tweaks have already had a concrete impact on the value of the kick return, one which totally belies the relatively small scope of the word ‘tweak’ as Nick Bishop illustrates.
How to build your lineout drive attack in the ‘red zone’Get creative with your limitations, to turn them into a strength appears yo be Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks mantra as Nick Bishop illustrates.
How to exploit the ELV on defensive scrum-halvesNick Bishop evaluates the possible effect of the new ELV – shielding of the attacking scrum-half from interference at ruck and maul, introduced at the start of the RC2024.
How to use the use ‘the nail’ to generate LQBWith LQB at such a premium, Nick Bishop examines whether ball-placement after the tackle is a more reliable method of creating it than gain-line dominance.
Why the ‘caterpillar countdown’ can change the face of rugbyNick Bishop provides some insights on the effect the new ‘5 second use it at the ruck’ rule will have on the game.
How to work the latest gadget play in short-range attackOne of the latest trial laws insists that it will no longer be possible to choose a scrum from a free-kick. Nick Bishop looks at what innovations may result especially close to opposition’s goal line.
How to apply R & R at the attacking breakdownWhen things do not always work out as planned at the modern breakdown you need to apply some R&R.
Nick Bishop explains what type of R&R is needed in this week’s analysis.
How to cut the corner at cleanout time – using the ‘side window’The first cleanout support player is a critical decision-maker as Laurie Fisher points out in his Breakdown Attack series.
Nick Bishop details when successfully deployed this technique can often lead to concrete attacking opportunities. (at all levels)
How to manage the frontal cleanoutIt is like a pitcher in Baseball trying to hit the corner of the plate, there is only a small front window.
Nick Bishop highlights how Laurie Fisher’s first-man, frontal cleanouts at the breakdown pays dividends for attacking teams.
How to cover the attacking breakdownThe premium on excellent skills at the breakdown is becoming more important, especially for a club with a positive ball-in-hand mindset.
As Nick Bishop illustrates using the resurgent Queensland Reds as an example.
How England upset Ireland’s Grand Slam plans at TwickenhamNick Bishop details the key ingredient that led to England’s upset 6N win over 6 to 1 favourite and Grand Slam-elect Ireland.
Why Super Rugby Pacific was right to drop ‘Dupont’s Law’ from SRP 2024Super Rugby Pacific have dumped World Rugby’s “Dupont’s Law” for their 2024 competition. As Nick Bishop details using the recent Scotland v France 6N’s match they have good reason to.
Why the driving lineout is here to stay as a prime attacking platformThe driving lineout is fast becoming the most creative source of offensive thinking in the professional game. Using the recent Ireland vs France 6N game for some seminal illustrations, Nick Bishop explains how the attacking potential has come about.
How to attack wide – the Toulouse way!The best attacking teams in the current era never take the apparent space they are offered on the edge without checking, or switching inside first.
Why defences need to adjust quickly to early-phase strikesWhatever the pattern of defence, every player needs to be on the same page in terms of their attitudes and adjustments. Or as Nick Bishop, using the recent Leicester vs Saracens Premiership, highlights teams can get repeatedly ‘stung’ from the same play.
How to create early attacking options from the “21”If your charges can learn to run one play exceptionally well, you will force opponents to adjust to it – and that will create opportunities elsewhere.
As Nick Bishop evidences in Racing 92’s match against fellow Top 14 side Toulon.
How to run a two-phase switchback attack with optionsNick Bishop looks at how leading teams are creating multiple threats early in the phase-count, and sustaining those threats for longer on attack than the defence can successfully manage them.
How to strike the balance between tackling and ‘jackling’ on DAs a result of the WR 2020 Breakdown Guidelines, the role of the jackler has changed, so it has attracted quicker, more dynamic physical types to the role.
Using examples for the English premiership, Nick Bishop latest analysis show the responsibility for jackling extends well into the backline.
