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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 use the ‘double pump’ to unlock the Press defenceLeading analyst, Nick Bishop looks at the use of the pump-fake or double pump as another method of dislocating the Press defence, but on this occasion by keeping ball in hand.
Unlocking the Press defence (part 2) – using the kick-passIn Nick’s most recent article, he looked at the chip kick and this week discusses how Beauden Barrett uses the kick-pass to great effect break down the Press defence.
New learning and a way to unlock the Press defenceOne of the biggest challenges for both sides during the up-coming Lions tour to NZ will be how to find ways to break down the versions of Press defence which will be employed by both sides. Leading rugby analyst Nick Bishop examines merits of both sides likely approach.
Psychology and the small moments of performanceMost successful rugby teams at professional level are those who emphasize ‘doing the next job’ and passing beyond failures, small or large, as quickly as possible. Leading analyst, Nick Bishop looks at the integration of mental skills coaches and the building of ‘mental muscle’ into successful rugby teams.
Have England lost their majority vote on the Lions trip to New Zealand?Leading analyst Nick Bishop discusses what a difference one week makes. Had the British & Irish Lions squad to New Zealand been selected after the demolition of Scotland at Twickenham, as many as 19 or 20 English players might have made it. Read more here…
Ruck or no ruck - that is the questionThe recent Six Nations match between England and Italy raised a huge question about the refereeing of contact situations, and in particular the difficulty in establishing the difference between a ruck and a tackle. Leading analyst Nick Bishop discusses whether it’s a one off or teams will build their game around it.
How to attack ‘heads-up’ from scrumWhat is heads-up rugby in attack? Leading rugby analyst, Nick Bishop explains this in detail in his latest article.
How to use ‘gadgets’ at the lineoutThe closer to set-piece a weakness can be pin-pointed, the more likely it is to result in a score. That score could be the difference between winning and losing. This week we hear from leading rugby analyst, Nick Bishop on his thoughts around lineout gadgets.
How to make yourself an effective ‘jackal’It is hard to do without a number of specialists in defensive contact in the modern game. With the number of breakdowns on the increase and set-pieces on the slide, they have become essential personnel.
Nick Bishop looks at the stats and looks at who and what is required at the breakdown in today’s game.
Game-planning for natural weaknessesSir Graham Henry suggests that a plan can start with the identification of what he calls ‘natural weaknesses’ in the opponent.
Leading analyst Nick Bishop, looks at one of the foremost among those weaknesses is the transition area between the last forward and the first back in the defensive line.
