In the modern game; since supported jumping (lifting) and retaining possession from kicking a penalty out; the lineout has become the preferred attacking set piece. There are usually more lineouts than scrums in a game.

I believe that a varied lineout defence is crucial to any side; but each side must know what they are trying o do with their defensive system.

Some sides will try to get their opponents to throw all ball off the top, this would be done for several reasons, the opposition have a powerful pack, your side has players sin binned or red carded from the pack, you believe you have the defensive organisation to deal with the opposition backs attack.

Other sides will try to keep the ball in the forwards, this can be done for several reasons, you believe your pack is more powerful than theirs and them having the ball is not an immediate danger, the opposition backs are causing your backs problems so you want to slow down opposition possession, your side has players sin binned or red carded from the backs.

Other sides will simply contest to put pressure on opposition throw and catch; the ultimate aim is to steal the opposition throw and turnover possession.

Over the next few weeks I will detail a different defence strategy, highlighting the positives and negatives of using this strategy.

Donny