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
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments