In the defensive line I want to have the back rowers on the outside of the forwards. A typical line would be:

In training, practice getting the front five in and around the breakdown. The defenders either side of the breakdown should be the tight 5. A way to practice this is to get the team in a defensive line with the coach facing them. The coach kicks the ball to one of the defenders, this constitutes a tackle the next nearest defender goes into the breakdown. Practice re aligning in defence so the slower guys are closer to the breakdown and the faster ones on the outside.

Spacing’s

With line speed, spacing’s between defenders are key to defensive organisation. As a defender you need to know who you have defending around you. If they are the relatively slow stand a little closer to close the gap to stop the slower player being burnt on the outside also make sure you don’t drift to early leaving a hole. If the inside defender is comfortable with a bigger gap stand wider as a couple of feet extra between defenders near the breakdown makes a big difference out wide. The key principle is to give the inside defender a big a gap as they can manage.

When leaving a set piece have a quicker player usually the 6 organising the players inside so that when the play comes back the 6 is on the outside of the forwards. When I played 6 I would work with the hooker to make sure we were on the outside with all the other players working hard to get on the inside. The 7 and 8 would marshal the forwards from the other end of the forwards defensive line.

Martin

Don’t look back in anger…..

Only four weeks ago, England left these shores with a weight of national expectation, hopes of stardom and a strong commitment to winning the Rugby World Cup.

Only 28 days later, and they return a shattered team, riddled with scandal and accusation, disharmony, lack of focus and a track record of absolute under-performance.

In every corner of the the media there are cries for heads to roll. At the moment it doesn’t seem to matter which heads, as long as it’s someone. Journalistic knee-jerks abound as more incidents are unearthed, and amongst all of the upheaval, even England’s iconic manager, Martin Johnson, appears to have lost his status of invincibility.

I was not there and some of the things are impossible to comment upon from 7000 miles away, but I have to say some of the basic issues give me the gravest of concerns.

When you’re invited to play for your country, you are gifted a huge responsibility. You are representing the hopes of many- the fans, the rugby community, the public, the nation and all that goes with it. Rugby is a sport that requires huge discipline and commitment to succeed, and without those qualities, you have little chance.

In short, the players abdicated those responsibilities and they let themselves, those that they represent and those that selected them, down.

We hear talk of reviews, we hear pleas for Sir Clive Woodward to return, like the Prodigal Son to right all wrongs. No. We need to move on. We need not to look back and try and re-create the past- but use this as an opportunity to rid ourselves of deadwood and move forward. In 6 years in post, Rob Andrew’s role has become increasingly untenable and close scrutiny needs to be paid to exactly what function he performs (other than writing reviews). In the meantime, England need to go out and find the very best technical coaches- looking at new talent like Rassie Erasmus and others from the Southern Hemisphere.

The RFU is in utter turmoil both on and off the field, and is fast losing any credibility whatsoever. It is dysfunctional in extremis and I lightheartedly wonder who is going to read Andrew’s review as it appears there is no management left at HQ!

I am also aware that this is the first truly professional squad to play in World Cup together. By that I mean in past years there were players that had transitioned from Amateur to professional. With that comes life experience, and the knowledge that to play sport professionally is gift. Maybe some have had it a little too easy, because some of the antics and the performances simply disappointed everyone.

I believe that some of the coaching heads, and people around them, will go. I think that at coaching level, it’s time for a new start and the likes of Brian Smith and others are rightly under serious threat. Martin Johnson- well that’s a tough one for me personally because of my involvement with him over many years, but what I will say is this- Johnno appears to have stopped being Johnno. He’s tried to be inclusive, empowering, modern etc, and, put bluntly, he’s had all of that thrown back in his face. Maybe it’s just time for him to become the lean, mean fighting machine we all know and love, because I know that had he dealt with some of these issues as a player rather than a manager, the outcome would have been brutal. And perhaps that is exactly what is needed.

I believe Johnson can still make a fine fist of this- his knowledge of what it takes to succeed in international rugby is unrivalled and England need exactly that.

Strong hands, commitment, integrity and passion- those are qualities that are pre-requisites for international rugby and I believe now is the time to find a fresh sheet of paper and employ only those with he qualities I mention to move English rugby slowly forward to where it needs to be.

Rant over.
Cozza.

England’s Bravehearts

With England perhaps stuttering at times, but doing enough so far, Saturday’s match v Scotland is the start of what can be described as the knock-out stages of the RWC. Every game from now on is a cup match- winner takes all. In England’s case, with the groups falling as they have (and Ireland’s beating of Australia being key), basically they have the challenge of an away Grand Slam to get to the final of the competition.

There has been some improvement in England’s play, slowly but surely throughout the competition. However, the biggest concern is still their inability to generate the quick ruck ball at the breakdown that their backs need. Paradoxically, any forward pack coached by Andy Robinson will always be highly effective at rucktime and here lies England’s biggest challenge- completing and beating the Scots at the breakdown.

England’s selections will also be interesting. It’s a truism to say that 7 or 8 players only have cemented their places. Cole, Thompson, Haskell, Youngs, Ashton, Foden and Tuilagi are all bankers to start, but in other areas England have to select rather than pick.

In the front row, both Corbisiero and Stevens are candidates to start at loosehead, and both have acquitted themselves well during the competition. It really is a toss of a coin, and I suspect Corbs will start due to Steven’s ability to sub on either side of the front row if required. At lock, Lawes is pretty certain to start, even if only on the basis of gametime, and I expect the extra grunt generated by my former team mate Louis Deacon, to secure him the second berth.

In the back row, things are changing. Haskell’s workrate has finally matched his verbal promises and he’s been outstanding and industrious. I still believe he needs to bolt on accuracy and effectiveness to his industry, but he’s been a standout in the last few months. Moody had a great 50 mins against Romania, and looked both hungry and able to link. He’ll start alongside line out supremo Tom Croft, with the caveat that the latter needs the riot act reading regarding his role around the tight/loose situations. Too often Croft is found idling out on the wing; he’s a wing forward not a wing three-quarter and he needs to start playing like a 6.

Regarding the ever-lasting debate on the fly half berth, I always think this; if you needed 3 points in the final quarter to win a game, and you looked around your team-mates, who would you prefer to see at ten? So based on that premise, Jonny will start, with vice skipper Tindall running the backline defence at 12.

The last slot is an interesting one. Mark Cueto does so many things very competently, and indeed, scored a hat-trick in his last outing. He searches for work, but the question is, does Delon Armitage offer more of an X-Faxtor? I think he does, and with Scotland sure to field Patterson in the back three, I suspect Delon’s superb aerial skills will give him the nod over the Sale man.

So that’s pretty much my side. I believe England will have their work cut out to better the Scots, but, due to their firepower out wide, I expect them to win narrowly despite struggling at the breakdown, in a dour battle.

Speak soon,
Coz.

Cozza’s XV

Corbisiero
Thompson
Cole
Deacon
Lawes
Croft
Moody
Haskell

Youngs
Wilkinson

Armitage
Tindall
Tuilagi
Ashton

Foden.

England’s inauspicious start

I think most pundits and fans are slightly underwhelmed by England’s opening salvo against Argentina.

Now, no-one should ever underestimate the South Americans- they’re big, beefy and brawny, but if England are to develop to where they claim they are aspiring to be, their performances need to improve dramatically.

England struggled to gather momentum. They failed to get the quick ball they need to play their gameplan and Lobbe and his cohorts in the Argentinean backrow gave us a torrid time at the breakdown, although James Haskell continued his improvement.

One of the big plusses from the Ireland game was the hunger to win that quick ball, and I didn’t feel that was evident in the same way. We are dependent on this area of the game, and without it, we look slow, sluggish and ponderous.

The other Irish plus, my fellow Tiger Manu Tuilagi, suffered by trying to take too much ball from first phase into a well-drilled drift defence. Manu, with pace and power to burn, will skin many players one on one in open and broken play, but trying to bosh it up in a first or second phase situation is not playing to his strengths. It shows we still need to work out that midfield strategy, although I’m more comfortable with the current combination that those that have gone before.

The other talking point was Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking. In a way, I’m glad he struggled (reports are that kickers are complaining that the new Gilbert ball is slightly different in shape and weight) as it meant he had to play the corners and win with tries. Benny Young’s moment of brilliance showed just what he brings to the side as an attacking threat and again, that was great to see, as was the way we dominated a traditionally tough scrummaging pack.

Now, I’m not naïve enough to think the Argentineans would be a pushover, but equally I expected more. We won, and in the old adage, we won ugly, which bodes well, and sometimes it’s good to get a performance like this out in the open so the gameplan can be fine-tuned. If we win the next 6 games by a similar margin there will be no complaints, but, being pragmatic, unless we sort out that midfield optioning, the dynamic ball at rucktime and our place kicking, the big boys of the 3 Nations are not going to be awake at night worrying about the attacking threat England pose.

Time will tell.

Cheers
Coz.

Types of Delivery

Off the Top
This is a controlled pass from the jumper at or near the top of his jump. Always practice catching the ball then passing as opposed to just deflecting the ball down. Lifters hold the jumper at the top for a fraction longer.  When practicing exaggerate the hold of the jumper in the air Jumpers must be consistent with your palm down. Work with your scrumhalf. The 9’s need to be in the same place each time.

Catch and Give
Catch the ball and land then pop the ball to the scrum half. Lifters should lift then step into the lineout gap to protect the jumper from the oppositio. Make sure the jumper lands safely. Jumpers must catch the ball and bring it down into your chest so it doesn’t get knocked out of your hands. When you are landing look to develop a wide foot base so it’s difficult to pull you over. Only when you land look for the scrum half and pop the ball to him.

Drive
Jumpers and lifters exactly the same set up for catch and give, except with a drive the jumper lands they keep hold of the ball. The lifters stay firmly in place in the gap, if your back is to the opposition look to turn around to face them and get into a low driving position but stay bound to the jumper. The first player to arrive rips the ball from the jumper and stays attached. Players join either of the ripper in a good driving position.

Peel
This can de executed at the front or the back, and there are many ways to perform a peel. A simple way is:

A back peel- The ball is thrown to the tail of the lineout. The jumper catches the ball a the front prop rips the ball and pops it to the players from the front of the lineout who have run round the back of the lineout.

A front peel- The ball is won at the front of the lineout and is ripped and popped to runners attacking the 5m channel.

Drop off
The ball is won at the front of the lineout and caught. The back 3 players drop back and take a pass from the scrum half. They can look tt develop a quick ruck ball. The benefit of this is to take out the opposition back row and make the the pass from 9 to 10 easier. The forwards must remain inside the 15 metre line. This can be done in reverse to attack the front.

Part 4 will look at the tactics of the lineout.

Martin

Balance

I must say that the England squad announcement was surprising in some respects, but consistent and dare I say predictable in others.

I want to focus on the balance of the side, the centre selection, and the effect Danny Care’s injury has had on the overall balance.

Had Care been fit, I am convinced that Foden would have acted as the 3rd scrum half (Benny Youngs will remain first choice if fit) and neither Simpson nor Wigglesworth would have been selected.

So, in essence, one injury has cost 2 other players the chance of a tour. One man has needed 2 players to replace him.

Now I’m not going to speculate about the perceived ability of Simpson or Wigglesworth as they both have weaknesses but also strengths. However, what I will suggest is that this has complicated the balance of the squad.

When I look at the centre selection, one thing that does worry me is the lack of guile; we miss someone who has the ability to make an x-factor play, and the 4 players selected are matching, rather than contrasting in their styles. It smacks of England’s determination to play a ‘rugby league’ style of attacking game, pick, drive, ruck etc.

However, the delicious paradox here is that in order to play that type of game, a grafting, rucking open side is a pre-requisite. Now England only have one player approaching that role (Moody) and a host of makeshift 6 1/2′s, leaving question marks over the balance of the whole back 5 forwards.

I’m sure England will acquit themselves to the best of their ability, but I see nothing more than ‘doing their best’. I see no-one capable of breaking the defensive line with one moment of genius (other than the raw Tuilagi) and England’s selection smacks of safety first and defensive power over creativity.

Maybe Johnson’s hand has been forced due to the poor form of Flutey and a lack of other alternatives, but I’m disappointed that we got to a world cup with such a lack of attacking variety.

Cozza.

Prescriptive Benefits!

A lot of column inches have been devoted to England’s underwhelming display at Cardiff on Saturday, many of those suggesting England played in quite a sterile and un-ambitious way. However, after studying the video over the last few days, I started to think that it was perhaps, quite paradoxically, the fact that they were trying to be too creative at times that was their downfall.

Rugby is a very simple game, and in my opinion there are times when you play heads up rugby and times when you play head down rugby.

Let’s put this into context of the Cardiff match.

There was a wonderful moment when, camped on the Welsh 10m line, we won great ‘off the top’ line out ball at real pace. England, with their centres lined flat, ran three decoys- both of the centres and the blindside wing coming into the channels at pace. It was clear to me that all options were ‘on’ and being considered until the fly-half actually chose to pass to Tindall, who then took it deep into the Welsh defence and, as he always does, made a gain. Hendrie Fourie, the English openside, was really the only support player Tindall had, Wales, led by Sam Warburton, then hotly competed the ruck with numbers, and England then had to re-gather support to the ruck as it became messy and body-strewn, which resulted in chronically slow ball, and the 2nd phase being a slow pass to Dan Cole to re-set the ruck again.

The crux of the issue here is in my first comments. England ran two decoys as well as the core move. This meant that the back row had to cover three potential options off the line out ball, and as a result, failed to effectively cover and support the one single option that they chose, leaving Tindall isolated.

In my opinion, England were guilty of trying to be too creative and attacking off first phase. They over-complicated one of the most simple and essential moves in rugby; the set of the 1st phase ball before opening the 2nd phase up. In short, they tried too hard to force the ball, too intent to try and be too attractive, and, just like the girl who wears much too much make up, ended up looking pretty ugly!

If England were a little more prescriptive and simplistic in this aspect of their game, even if they call a decoy but clearly inform the back row where the move is going to be, then there would have been more robust support from the back row and the ruck, in theory, would have offered fast, usable ball as well as tying in some of the Welsh fringe defenders to boot. Wales would have had no ability to counter-ruck and England would have had the quick ball to play the type of Rugby we saw glimpses of during the 6 Nations.

It is an absolute paradox that in order to play that ‘heads up’ intuitive style of rugby, then they first need to do the ‘heads down’ basics. That means being pragmatic, disciplined and focused on the basics, and not diluting effectiveness by trying to have too many choices at the wrong time.

Food for thought!
Cheers
Cozza.

Formations and options

A lineout can be formed by 2 to 7 players (not including the thrower)

There are a number of formations which can be used to give your team the greatest chance of winning the ball and also to help with your attacking options.

For example, If your team want to drive the ball you may choose to have a full lineout (7 players) as all your forwards are near the ball. Or if you want to use forward runners in the backs, reduce the numbers.

Players are free to move around the lineout, meaning you can have simple calls (jumpers staying in 1 spot) or more complex movement calls. All take a lot of practice to get right.

Examples of lineout formations and throws; Remember there are thousands of different combinations, here are a few to get you thinking.

Full Lineout

5-2 split
2 14356  87

Simple options
4 lifted by 1 and 3 (143) can jump forward straight up or lob (1 step back)
5 lifted by 3 and 6 (356) can jump forward straight up or lob (3 steps back)
6 lifted by 5 and 8 (568) can take a 3 step lob
8 lifted by 6 and 7 (867) can take 3 steps forward jump up or take a lob. Remember you are not supposed to cross the 15m line before the ball is thrown!

Movement options
356 run back on a lob, 8 and 7 run round for a jumping pod of 487 or 187.

4-3 split
2 1453  687

Simple options
145 Forward, straight up, lob
453 Straight up, lob
368 Forward
687 Straight up or lob

Movement
453 run back on a lob, 6 comes round in between 1 and 4, 4 turns back and is lifts 164

6 man lineout
2 143 568

Simple options
143 Forward, straight up, lob
356 Forward, straight up.
568 Straight up, lob

Movement
3 back to 5, Dummy 356,  8 round to lift 148

5 man

2 1  4  5  6  3

Simple options
145 Forward, straight up, lob
456 Forward, straight up, lob
563 Forward, straight up, lob

Movement
5 turns to lift 6, then 5 steps out and 6 and 3 run onto 4 (463)

4 man

2 1   4      6  3
  5
5 acts as scrum half.
Can run into 3 holes
154
456
653

Movement
5 dummy run to 6 and 3. Does not enter. 6 runs forward 146
5 dummy’s forward. 4 runs to lift 6. 463

2 man

2 1 6
  5
5 enters and jumps forward, straight up or lob 156.
Throw long to a forward standing out.

Next week I will talk about types of delivery.

Martin

So, 5 down and ten to go as Martin Johnson and his team have released another 5 players from their 45 man pre-world up squad.

I thought it might be interesting this week to examine those omitted and look behind the scenes as to the reasoning behind the decisions and the overall impact on the squad.

Starting with my fellow Tiger, Thomas The Tank Waldrom, I feel that perhaps Thomas’s long standing calf injury may well have been the telling factor here. He’s truly struggled with it for a time now and his selection was 50/50 at best. I think the injury gave him no time to impress which is a shame, as this means England go to New Zealand with no specialist cover for Easter at 8. Haskell will be the understudy, but for all his power he’s not the natural ball player Waldrom or Easter are. Perhaps there’s also a concern that Waldrom has a propensity to get isolated and turned over- something that the SH are very adept at, and with England wanting to play multi phase rugby, turnovers are not an option.

My other fellow Tiger, George Chuter, has missed out to Lee Mears for the 3rd hooker berth. I have to say that it’s an unenviable spot, 3rd hooker. You’ll get little game time and a lot of drink carrying duties, and perhaps it’s Lee’s enthusiasm and and good humour that has clinched it, Johnno understanding that it’s going to be a frustrating time for who ever is selected.

Staying with the forwards, Joe Worsley will be bitterly disappointed not to add his name to the elite few who have played in 4 world cups. The fact he’s still in contention at 34 shows just the standards Joe sets in terms of fitness and skill. People forget he’s second only to Dallaglio in terms of England back row caps (he has more than Back, Hill, myself, Winterbottom and many more) and his contribution to English rugby is often overlooked. I do believe that his best position was as a pure 7, and ironically it was only very late in his career England employed him there. However, it’s great to know that if any back rowers break during the warm ups, Joe is there as a ready made replacement with a decade of international rugby to bring to the party.

The real winner in the squad right now is Charlie Sharples, as is underlined by the release of Simpson-Daniel and David Strettle. Both of the omitted wingers are devastating runners and finishers on their day. Maybe there’s been a few question marks over Sinbad’s defence, but as a creator, he’s one of the best around. However, I don’t think this is a slight on either of the discarded guys, more so a testimony to how Sharples has thrown down a marker and improved over the last 12 months, Word from Pennyhill Park is that Sharples has been electric in training and impressed all around with his pace and attitude. It’s a huge shot in the arm for the younger Gloucester man, and I expect him now to pressure the more experienced Moyne for the last wing spot.

With 40 players fighting for 30 places the next 2 weeks will be massive for some of the less established players. There’s still a lot of props and midfield backs in the squad, and decisions have to be made in the forwards regarding various players’ ability to last the campaign.

One thing I do believe is that Johnno, Mike Ford and John Wells have the clarity of thinking and vision to make the RIGHT decisions, and the 3 warm up games, combined with the injury issues, will inform the final selection.

Whatever that is, right now it’s all to play for and I expect to see some scintillating rugby from England as the players lay down their claims to be on that plane in 3 weeks time. It should be great!

Speak soon
Coz.

Each player has as a variety of ways to defend a scrum there is no set formula but the back row and scrum half need to be aware of how the others are defending.

Left Side Defence-

Role of the 9.

A 9 can either put pressure on his opposite number at the scrum put in and then pressure the 8 at the base or line up on the back foot and defend with the defensive line.

Left Hand Flanker and 8

The biggest threat is being outflanked by a well worked 8-9. It is key to work as a pair with your 8.

If the flanker stays close the 8 goes wide e.g. a close 8 pick the flanker takes the ball carrier then the 8 goes outside to defend a pass or pop. If the flanker goes wide the 8 takes the hole on the inside e.g defending a 9 sniping wide and passing it back inside.

Right Hand Flanker

When the play goes left (the opposition attacking right) the flanker can either defend the inside shoulders of his back row colleagues or organise the defence for the next phase.

My preference

The 9 to put pressure at the base and then follow the play round and try and get in the way of any back row move.

The 6 to take the major threat. Try and read early but be decisive. Stay on the 8 and if he passes get out to the 9.

The 8 react to 6 but defend inside the ball.

The 7 to stay out and organise the defence for the next phase. In the defensive line I always want my faster forwards on the outside of the forward line.

The left hand lock has a key defensive role to get up out of the scrum and defend on the inside.

To have an effective short side defence a slight loose head wheel in the scrum is vital.

Back Row and 9 Right Side Defence

If the 9 pressurises at the base this will rule out any quick 8 pick so the right flanker will be responsible for any slow move around the corner e.g. 8 feeding 6 or racing to protect the inside shoulder of 10. The 7 and 9 may also be responsible for the opposition 10 if the back line send an extra defender to secure the left side.

If the 9 defends at the back foot the right hand flanker then defends with the 8.  

Remember if as required for the defence the scrum wheels left the right hand flank will be on the back foot and at a disadvantage. 

The left hand flank to stay out and organise the defence.

Martin