Analysis
The end of the defensive line
The evolution of the defence took another marked step at the Rugby World Cup and 2024 will only see is progress further
Sam Larner
10 Nov 2023, 4:23
16
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Contributors
Sam Larner
Sam is an analyst and writer. He began is analysis career with Blackheath back in 2014 after a rugby injury. Despite occasional forays back into playing, he is much more at home behind a laptop or while coaching. He combines writing about rugby and working with players and teams to help them to find an advantage against opponents. His words have appeared on Planet Rugby, Rugby World, and the World Cup website.
Analysis
How every nation ranks after the Rugby World Cup
Who is top of the class and who gets a big fat F? We assess each nation's campaign in France.
Sam Larner
01 Nov 2023, 6:04
33
Opinion
Why peaking for a World Cup could be pointless
Much is made of building one's form during the RWC cycle but the unpredictable nature of Test rugby can make coaches wonder if it …
Sam Larner
20 Oct 2023, 8:45
13
Opinion
In defence of Steve Borthwick
It hasn't been pretty, it hasn't won England a new army of fans and it won't win them plaudits from pundits but it could win a Wor…
Sam Larner
06 Oct 2023, 7:17
9
Opinion
Why rugby is better now than it's ever been
The strong wave of nostalgia tells many rugby fans that rugby was better back in the day, but the stats tell a different story
Sam Larner
06 Sep 2023, 13:03
11
Analysis
Rugby World Cup: A fantasy XV would be a poor team in reality
Fantasy rugby has created a warped view of the actual value of players.
Sam Larner
08 Aug 2023, 7:04
Opinion
Why rugby is better for its reliance on analysis and data
Rugby analysis will not lift you emotionally during a game but it will help you understand the game's intricacies and foibles
Sam Larner
15 Jul 2023, 1:32
1
Analysis
Has ball in play time reached its optimal level?
The 1995 Rugby World Cup averaged 26 minutes of ball-in-play time and that is expected to near 38 minutes for France
Sam Larner
13 Jun 2023, 23:56
2
Analysis
Does luck balance out across the season?
Does defence win championships, and is there any such thing as a lucky team? It's time to crunch the data for answers
Sam Larner
20 Apr 2023, 9:34
Opinion
How every nation ranks ahead of the Rugby World Cup
The quadrennial tournament is set to kick-off in France in only five months and some nations have more catching up to do than othe…
Sam Larner
08 Apr 2023, 0:40
5
Analysis
The analysts reveal the stats that matter for Super Saturday
What did the Six Nations teams do well and not so well? The data analysts unveils the killer stats
Sam Larner
16 Mar 2023, 15:47
1
Analysis
Using data to debunk commonly held Six Nations myths
There are a plethora of myths that surround playing styles in the venerable tournament, but which are based on fact and which are …
Sam Larner
24 Feb 2023, 23:50
Analysis
The insane skills that lit up the Six Nations
The first two rounds of the venerable tournament produced some jaw dropping pieces of skill from an array of Test talents
Sam Larner
09 Feb 2023, 23:37
2