The scrum is the best available attacking platform in the game as it supplies the most space to the attacking team. At the scrum eight defenders are locked into one space and unable to assist in defending the gain line until the scrum is over. This only leaves seven players to defend the gain line.

At line-outs the tail gunners often leave the line-out before the ball can get past the tail of the line-out and are in an excellent position to assist the mid-field defence in defending the gain-line. During phase play defences rarely commit more than two defenders to the ruck, while the attacking team often have to commit four players. This gives the defence a numerical advantage over the attack.

But the major defensive factor to be considered when attacking the left hand side of the scrum is the defending scrum-half is positioned on that side of the scrum. From that position the defending scrum-half is well positioned to assist the mid-field in defending the gain line.

For that reason the defending scrum half must be factored into the defensive equation when attacking the left hand side of the scrum. If the ball is passed directly from the scrum to the fly-half the defensive scrum-half will automatically tag-on to the defensive mid-field. This allows the mid-field defence drift defend and negate the advantage the attacking team have by adding their full-back to the attacking line.

A popular tactic that will fix the defending scrum-half and restrict them from assisting the mid-field defence, is to wheel the scrum up (approx. 45 degrees) on the left hand side i.e. forward on the loose-head side. This eliminates the defending flanker on that side of the scrum from defending the gain line in the channel nearest the scrum. On that basis the defensive scrum-half will have to take responsibility for defending that channel, especially if the attacking scrum-half and #8 are threatening to attack that channel. This will restrict the ability of the defensive scrum-half from assisting the mid-field defence.

The location of the scrum will also affect the space available to the attack on the left hand side of the scrum. If the scrum is located on the right hand side of the field there is enough space to accommodate a full attacking back line on the left hand side of the field. From this position the right wing (#14) is well positioned to participate in the attacking back-line and add an extra attacker. The specific attacking play used by the back-line should be selected on the basis of unlocking the type of defence being used by the defending team.

If the scrum is located in the middle of the field the left hand side can be attacked but it is difficult to use more than three attackers without overcrowding the space that is being attacked. A useful tactic is to set up the back line with the left wing and a centre standing wide on the left side of the scrum. The right wing should also stand wide with a centre on the right side of the scrum. The fly-half (#10) and the full-back (#15) stands directly behind the scrum. From this set up the defence will not know whether the attack will run left or right.

Once the ball is won at the scrum the left wheel, as described above, will fix the defensive scrum-half and the #10 and #15 can sweep left to attack the left side of the scrum with the centre and wing. This gives the attack four attackers on that flank of the scrum and it is very difficult for the defence to match those attacking numbers.

The further left the scrum is located the less space there is available to attack. If the scrum is located approximately 20m from the left touch-line the set up would usually involve the left wing (#11) in position on the left touch-line. The #15 stands directly behind the scrum and the remaining backs align on the right side of the scrum. Once the ball is won, and the defensive scrum-half fixed as described above, the #15 sweeps left joining the #11 to attack down the left flank.

Should the defence locate a defender on the left flank to counteract the #15 sweep it leaves the defence short of defenders on the right side of the scrum. So the attack should switch to the right.

If the scrum is located closer to the right touch-line (15m or less) then the space available to attack is very limited. From this situation the scrum-half and the #11 can attack using the left wheel and the attacking #8 to fix the defensive scrum-half. Also, the flanker on the right side of the scrum can detach (once the scrum is over) and attack down the left flank with the #11 and scrum-half.

But at some point the left side of the scrum becomes so narrow that exploiting the space become more and more difficult and easier for the defence to defend. At that point, with more attacking space available on the right hand side of the scrum, it is worth considering an attacking strategy on the right hand side of the scrum.

Eddie