Flankers at scrum-half and wings on the openside: is positional flexibility the next league-inspired innovation in rugby union?
Eddie Jones is a boon for sports media and he seems to enjoy it. His bait provides helpful headlines to journalists everywhere but, as much as his comments seemed designed to provoke outrage, perhaps they should more often provoke thought.
But Jack Nowell is not an openside flanker, I hear you say. Nor is Ben Earl a winger or Ben Curry a scrum-half. Professor Tony Collins, Emeritus Professor of History at De Montfort University, follows the history and present of both codes in detail and he thinks there is far more merit to Jones’ suggestions than we are giving him credit for, as well as a whole lot more to explore in this area.
First, however, let’s take a step back. As much as a fierce rivalry remains between the two codes, rugby union has taken plenty of inspiration from its league counterpart in recent times. Defence coaching and changes to the laws are the most obvious areas but, 25 years on from the introduction of professionalism in union, there are still many things being learned from the sport that got there almost a century earlier.
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League defence coaches have been the rage for a while now in union, with Andy Farrell and Shaun Edwards being the most high-profile examples of league legends bringing their expertise to union. But the stifling line speed and generally suffocating defences that have emerged as a consequence of coaches like them have created a need for further cross-pollination between the codes.
Saracens and England (among others) have been using league-style screen passes for some time now, the quick inside ball to take advantage of a weak shoulder offered by defence is becoming standard in attack, while cross-kicking to get over defences has also become common around the world.
Proposed changes to the laws, such as the 50-22 rule currently being trialled, will only encourage savvier coaches to look to league for tactical ideas. Collins believes that it is inevitable for union to look to league to evolve tactics, arguing, “union has always been travelling in the same direction as league but in a different vehicle, if you want to extend the metaphor. The offside rule means there are limited ways to respond to the tactical challenges of professional rugby union and that is to look towards league because it has already faced these issues”.
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Essentially, he says, “in both union and league, you can go through the defence, round it, or over it. Rugby league’s techniques for doing that are often better because they were developed earlier and are therefore more advanced.”
The set-piece and the breakdown are the two key areas where league seems to differ significantly from union. Tinkering at the scrum and lineout in union is anathema to many, which Collins notes, although it’s worth pointing out that there are now sometimes more scrums in league than union matches, something unthinkable even ten years ago. Moreover, as Collins also points out, the number where possession is won against the head or throw is also diminishing.
Without legislating to remove the scrum or the lineout, they are areas that allow for innovation and, indeed, it’s become common to see variations at the lineout. Ireland have often taken advantage of Conor Murray’s size to use him there and Scotland memorably once used three backs — Alex Dunbar, Greig Laidlaw, and Tommy Seymour — in a lineout to score. More recently, Wales have removed Justin Tipuric, one of their go-to jumpers, from the line to take advantage of his distribution skills at first receiver instead.
That brings us back to Jones, one of rugby union’s current most forward-thinking coaches. In the past, he has tinkered with backs in the scrum, giving him a more powerful carrier to take the ball and attack the opposition defence. Collins believes positional interchangeability is, “definitely an area where more could be done to take advantage of an opposition expecting a more traditional play.
“Exchanging a back for a forward in a set-piece sacrifices some size in the scrum or lineout to gain size in the first phase of attack from that set-piece. That’s definitely something league has grappled with, which accounts for the greater interchangeability between league positions.”
For instance, he suggests, “flankers often have better hands than centres in the tackle. Asking them to take the ball in the first phase after a scrum might increase your chance of breaking through.
“In general, skill sets of rugby union players are different than their league counterparts and they haven’t always kept up with the speed at which the game has changed. That’s partly why the All Blacks have been so good for most of the past 10-15 years: their traditional skill set has perfectly matched the modern game and given them an advantage over teams that don’t have that skill set (e.g. forwards who can handle and distribute well). That may change, considering the way South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, of course.”
So what about Nowell in the seven jersey, Earl on the wing, and Curry as a scrum-half? Asking a flanker to take on some of the responsibilities on a scrum-half is not as silly as it sounds. The greater generalisation of skill sets in rugby league is not only helpful in terms of selection but, says Collins, “it allows players to play what’s in front of them on the pitch — you don’t need to wait for a half back because the hooker, or dummy half, can pass onto the first receiver. Indeed, the halfbacks are no longer necessarily the fulcrum of the attack. In fact, they often stand as a sort of left and right first receiver.”
Think about it this way and you see Jones’ point — having a flanker who is comfortable passing the ball reduces your reliance on a scrum-half so you can always get the ball away from the breakdown more quickly.
The unfortunate appearance of Mauro Bergamasco provides a punchline to those looking for a joke but, in both codes, speed at the breakdown is absolutely crucial.
“Gaining an advantage there in union could be about far more than selecting two opensides in tandem”, Collins suggests. “Asking a second (or third) player to take on the passing responsibilities of a scrum-half could gain you an extra second to make up for the half-second you might have lost as the opposition spoiled your ball. That can be extremely significant.”
Asking a wing to jackal more (which is what Jones actually meant about Nowell) and a flanker to pass from the base of the ruck or cover the wing gives you extra options in attack and defence, as well as more freedom to go for a 6/2 bench split — something Jones seems increasingly keen on.
Of course, we do see some positional flexibility in union already, although it mostly involves players with a background in sevens or league, both of which demand wider skill sets. Tipuric’s sevens’ background frequently sees him put forward as a solution to Wales’ seemingly constant centre crisis, for instance.
In a recent interview, Jones cited Lepani Botia, who plays at inside centre for Fiji but as a flanker for La Rochelle, bringing the qualities of both to whichever role he plays. For Scotland, both Fraser Brown and Stuart McInally, hookers converted from flankers, bring their mobility and breakdown expertise to the front row and give the side more versatility in the squad.
So, backs in the set-piece and breakdown, forwards distributing on the first phase, scrum-half creativity, and the diminished importance of the set-piece — is that the future of rugby union?
Collins cautions that coaches may be very unwilling to embrace that, observing that, “the importance of culture and tradition in determining the direction of all these things cannot be understated. Sport is about identity and that will always prevent rugby union from becoming consciously too similar to rugby league. It will also likely make it difficult for coaches to innovate too much at once.”
If there’s a current international coach who might be willing to try it, however, it’s probably Jones.
Watch: All Blacks star Ardie Savea reveals shock rugby league ambitions.
Comments on RugbyPass
Jason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
23 Go to comments