Analysis: The secrets of England's attack: how the midfield work in phase play
Earlier in the week, we released an article on Tuilagi’s role in set-piece and how him and Cokanasinga have aided in getting England their front-foot ball.
Today’s article is different, as we will discuss Tuilagi’s role in open play at 13, and how this positioning has shown how England intend to use him in open phase play.
There’s a lot to be excited about, and what England are developing for the World Cup looks very promising. This one might be a brain teaser! But hopefully by the end, we’ll have an idea of what England get with the 10-12-13 of Ford, Farrell and Tuilagi.
The Deep Runner
England have changed the timing of their runners, not just from Tuilagi, but others as well. England are a team that play very flat to the line. This is particularly prevalent off 9. They have been given licence to mix this up, to pass to the runner coming hard from deep.
The reasoning behind this is that the defence will often number on the flatter options. Again, Eddie Jones sets a trend. If the passes off 9 are flat, then the defence know to commit on the flat options. England are now changing this with the acceleration of the deep runner.
As we can see here, Tuilagi comes from deep, taking the pass from Youngs and making the gain line. He was allowed to make gain line as he came in with Jamie George, whose presence held Healy on the inside and allowed Tuilagi with his acceleration a hard one on one with Ringrose. One the next phase with their go forward. England goes in for a try.
A runner standing at deep, comes up into the line with rapid speed, offering another option to the distributor be it Youngs or Ford. The trick is that the defence for that phase are already committed by the flat options. The insert of a runner from deep can force the defence into a late reshuffle as that option is not necessarily covered.
We will see more examples later, but again with Eddies’ England, another trend is established. The combination of flat play, the options available, and the late changes means that the attack of the late runner combined with decoys, is a welcome addition to the England attack. Acceleration is one of the most underrated qualities in an attack, and ironically one of the best that can give you a point of difference.
Phase Play
In phase play at 13, Manu’s positioning has changed.
England’s attacking system is boosted by the ability to operate around three playmakers. Which explains why Ford-Farrell-Slade was chosen at one point. However, for me, Ford-Farrell-Tuilagi is England’s first-choice midfield and has been for some time.
The Connect
The beauty of Ford-Farrell is that two of the three playmakers at any one time can be connected, whilst the other can work on the other side of the field and keep it a viable attacking line.
England always have a minimum of two connected playmakers at any one time, referenced here as the ‘Connect’. Be it Ford-Farrell-Daly or Farrell-Tuilagi-Daly.
Sometimes all three can be, however, it is imperative to Jones that England always have two playmakers connected one pass from each other in attack.
Initially, we see Ford-Farrell connected, until Farrell goes in for the crash option, showing his licence at centre. Realising nothing is now on, Ford switches to the right side. With Farrell now at the bottom of the ruck, Daly immediately comes in from the wing to provide the second receiver option.
One phase later, Ford has gone too flat, therefore, Daly moves back over to support Farrell as the switch is run. Once the ball goes to ground the ball is passed to Ford, who then again, using the 10-12 dynamic passes straight to Farrell.
This strategy is key to England’s attacking play. A way of overloading one side of the field in reaction to exploiting the misreads of the defence, it is heavily enhanced by the presence of Tuilagi and Cokanasinga.
The Stretch and Scramble
Now is where we really get into Tuilagi’s positioning at 13. To discuss this in too much detail would take too long, but we will show the basic dynamics of how it works.
Tuilagi has a roaming role but in England’s attacking structures he has two key places that are linked to enhancing the connect dynamic.
- The ‘one out’ carrier.
- The ‘wide receiver’
The one out carrier
As we can see here, Tuilagi often appears as the ‘one out’ option.
In these examples, he is the one out option often with a pod often supporting him on the inside, so he can maintain his role as the deep runner. Note that the ‘Connect’ playmaking duo are on the other side of the ruck.
His position here is off the back of hard carries off 9. England’s attack is dependent on the movement of the defensive line.
This all comes from which side of the ruck the way the defence has folded to and the indent made by the England carriers. The tactical decision-makers will set up ’21’ and ’31’ patterns to force the defence to fold around with dominant carries.
If they see an opportunity through an overfold or players have been sucked in, two of the connect, or even three, will manoeuvre the switch to the opposite side accordingly to take advantage of this.
Let’s show some examples.
Scramble 1
This position is the result of a wide play. In this example, we see Ford very early on, call Daly over as well as Tuilagi. He realises nothing is on for the left and banks on the connect exploiting the openside instead.
Following two hard carries off-9, Tuilagi goes in as the one out carrier. Please note that all angles run by the strike runners are slightly inwards, designed to drag the defender on the outside in, therefore constricting the defensive line. Ireland cannot fold over quick enough, meaning the ‘Connect’ engineers the overlap with flat play and numbers.
Scramble 2
The below, is a near carbon copy of above but shows the freedom England’s playmakers have in their attack. Here we see post two phases off 9 to the right, Tuilagi is going in with the pod. This time not running the deep runner option. Ford and Daly have moved to the right, much like the above example, to take advantage of the suspected overlap.
However, the Irish have learnt. They got caught out with these carries last time and have made more of an effort to fold around. Their pro-activity, unfortunately, costs them.
Ford realises this and gets help from Farrell (out of frame on the left) that the Irish have overcommitted to the right.
Ireland are wary of the overlap with Cokanasinga and the folding English forwards and have pre-emptively folded around themselves, anticipating the likely off-9 play the same way.
This results in a 6 on 4 on the left, and England exploits it.
Ford organises the pod, and switches the attack, moving play to the left
In perfect 10-12 functionality, Ford fires the pass behind Curry to Farrell, who like Daly has the passing game to pick multiple options on the outside.
Using Vunipola to hold Jordan Larmour, Farrell fires the pass out wide to May, who goes within a metre of the try line, leading to a try two phases later.
This is classic Ford-Farrell play, everything from the alignments, the passing, the switch. All designed to use the ‘Connect’ to get around the defence. But owing a lot to the threat of England’s carriers, including Tuilagi and Cokanasinga.
The Wide Receiver
The ‘Wide Reciever’, is the follow-up phase of the attack after the one out carrier dynamic.
It’s the continuation of the process. Earlier we stated to remember where Tuilagi finds himself on the field. When the ‘Connect’ switches and heads back towards the touchline, he’s no longer the one out carrier, he’s the wide receiver, getting into position for the play coming back his way.
Stretch 1
England has played two phases off set-piece and have noticed the Irish overfolded.
Farrell, Ford, and Daly all move to the right to exploit the Irish fold. Farrell takes the ball to contact, and due to Daly and Cokanasinga’s positioning, the Irish make sure they number up the blindside well.
This usually results in a scramble, which means there’s space on the open.
England can go wide over one phase from here, but not this time. Ford organises a crash pod as Farrell is at the bottom of the ruck.
Time is needed to get the playmakers in place for the wide play so Tuilagi can be put into space. As such, Daly comes in from the wing to play second receiver.
We see Ford and Daly connected by their separation gap and Tuilagi outside the pod.
Options aplenty are available for Ford, a pod, an inside option in Cokanasinga and the second line by Daly all available. Ford opts for Daly, running the pullback pass.
Stretch 3
As can be seen in these examples, once the ball goes wide, the ‘Connect’ stands behind two main pods, a 3-man pod for the 10, and the 2-man pod for the second receiver. Here, however, we see the full thing in motion.
Curry makes a great outside break, and Ford-Farrell combine behind their respective 3-man and 2-man pods, with Farrell coming through the middle as the deep runner.
Ground is made, and Ford runs a ‘screen’ play with May, using Tuilagi as the decoy to try to draw Aki who forms the ruck after, now turning him from the wide receiver to the ‘one out’ runner again.
Five seconds later, the ruck has been formed. Ford has reformed the connect on the left side of the pitch, brought Daly with him, and England generates a small gain line.
This doesn’t go into all the details. We see Billy Vunipola out on the wing and Tom Curry acting as decoy runners around the connect. There’s a lot yet that England haven’t revealed but have set up, and it is exciting.
The structures are getting there.
In the Wales example, you can again see a carbon copy of this structure with the 10-12 of Ford and Farrell on, albeit with very different alignments. Meaning England are developing this even further.
On the Fly
Hopefully, we can start to see patterns here. However, England will bring their ‘Connect’ round to exploit the space most likely to net them a try.
Below they’ve finished their hits off 9 and are launching into the wide receiver play. Ford and Daly are going wide to target the left and hopefully either score or make metres for Tuilagi to use on the next phase. They’re happy to do this even when deep in the middle of any of the two setups.
Even though they went left above, they have the capabilities at all points in alignment and with the ‘Connect’ to hit anywhere on the field.
As an example, we see England here about to execute the wide receiver. All the playmakers are on the left, Tuilagi is ready, yet Ben Youngs switches quickly, to the ‘one out’ pod.
Ford immediately sees the danger, leading Farrell off with him. Whilst getting into position, the pod then implements ‘Brumby’ pattern, multiple players offloading, charging hard and driving onto the ball within the same channel.
When the ruck has formed, the connect has shifted and exploits the blind accordingly.
This is the key for England, to be able to play what they see, and with Ford-Farrell at 10-12, they have that capability. They have the framework, they have the structure, they have a lot of options they haven’t yet shown but most importantly.
They have the ability and skillsets to recognise, and exploit opportunities quickly. They also have the licence to take initiative, to change things on the field as they see them unfolding. They’re team lead rather than coach led, and fast embodying the approach of ‘Auftragstaktik’, the approach of winning teams.
That there, is the most exciting thing I can say as an Englishman for the World Cup.
Hefty prize for England at this Rugby World Cup:
Comments on RugbyPass
Word in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to comments