Under Wayne Pivac, Wales have developed one of the strongest attacks in the Northern Hemisphere. In the 2021 Six Nations Wales scored the most points on their way to the title. One of the main drivers of this success has been the innovations by Pivac and Stephen Jones especially around the “no numbers on back” approach they have been using. This no numbers on back approach means all the players became capable of performing various roles, such as playing first receiver regardless of position. However, this is not the only innovation that has been a key victory, with various tweaks and improvements to their general style proving successful under Pivac.
The No Numbers On Back Policy
It is with the “no numbers” approach that we will start, given how crucial it has been to the welsh attack. The approach is beautiful in its simplicity as Wales are gearing their game towards speed of ball, and having players capable of filling the majority of positions across the field. One of the key elements of this attack is the highly skilled Justin Tipuric, who provides great handling skills, and can act as a second distributor to help spread the Welsh attack, like he does here against the French.
The example above is from the second phase of a scrum attack. Wales have loaded their Centres and Wing Josh Adams on the blindside, which limits their ability to play wide on the second phase. This is a great indicator of Wales’s willingness to play with no numbers on their back. This is because it leaves just 10 and 15 as playmakers and distributors in the wider channels, using Tipuric to fill the role.
Tipuric’s role also means that Wales can maintain their pace when they attack the openside, rather than the ball getting caught up within the forwards. Tipuric has held his depth, meaning that Biggar has an easy pass, before passing to Liam Williams who has time and space when he gets to the ball for an easy pass to Louis Rees Zammit. The result of this extra time and space, is that Wales are able to go from 15m to 15m in just three passes, and force France to defend laterally. The kick decision is also incredibly easy, given the 14+1 France are favouring. Dulin has been pulled side to side, and Wales find space behind the French line.
However this welsh attack policy has a more far reaching impact when we examine it within a phase play attack. This comes to light when we examine the Hardy try v Italy in the Autumn nations cup. Built from sustained phase play, the Hardy try shows how Wales’ use of loaded backs, and highly skilled forwards where beginning – even in a rather dour campaign – to come together to create brilliance.
We join the try mid phase play after Wales have stolen the lineout ball of the Itallians. From this midfield ruck, Wales run a variation on a blocker play which forms a part of their attack playbook. With Jon Davies receiving the ball off the Scrum Half, Sheedy can work round the back to offer an option. However, on this occasion Jon Davies straightens, dragging Canna into a ruck.
Wales now worked their backs all to one side of the field, looking to attack Italians with a more physical play. North is driven on by Louis Rees Zammit while Elliot Dee comes in to finish securing the ball.
Having won the ball out wide, Wales have set into their typical attacking shape with a single three man pod and two further two man pods out wide. However, it’s not the numbers in the pods that are particularly important here. Instead our focus should be on Sheedy’s role as he inserts himself into the pod, operating flat to the line. This is an incredibly common edge shape for Wales, and something we will return to. This shape allows Wales to split the Italian defence, striking right at the centre. It also allows a quick ball with two cleaners following up on the carry at the weak shoulder.
The screenshot above shows how Wales have set their shape, in order to target the space they have created in the Italian line. The first thing to notice is how deep Tipuric is attacking. This gives him plenty of time to adjust his angle depending on Canna’s (the Italian defender outside the space) decision and body shape. This position is integral to what unfolds.
Looking in more detail at the play, we can see how impactful Tipuric’s positioning has become. As Faletau receives the ball almost flat to the Fly Half, he can fix the two inside defenders. However the Italian defender Canna on the outside of the black circle loses connection slightly giving Tipuric the space to target. The highly skilled Faletau can then pop the ball to Tipuric to run through the line and make a break.
Watching in full speed we can see how quickly Tipuric adjusts his line, blasting through the Italian defence. But we can also see how influential Pivac’s doctrine of no numbers on backs is. While Sheedy is at Fly Half, it is actually Faletau in the main decision making role, with three clear options. Faletau is able to either carry, pull it round the back to Jon Davies, or to tip it on as he does. This multi-decision play is an example of not only the system but Pivac’s trust in it.
The Welsh Attack Shape From The Edge
Now let’s look in more detail at one of the more common attacking patterns used by Pivac, a Fly Half insert pod. This shape is particularly prominent when they play from the edge. The shape is a wonderful example of the power of structure and how it can exploit the defence.
The still from above is just a general example from Wales’s first attack under Pivac. It shows what would become an important shape for Pivac’s game plan. Characterised by the Fly Half standing in the centre of the pod, this edge shape can really help Wales influence the defence. The inside runner can provide a good hold on the inside defenders, whilst the outside runners can either act as blockers for a pull back play or hit the ball hard.
By using it off the edge, Wales are able to set their attacking 1-3-2-2 framework early, and it gives plenty of time for the playmaker to attack the defence and size up the right options. The options are the true magic of the play, with the insert shape giving four clear options depending on the preference of the decision maker. Firstly, they can decide to pass to the hard runners who attack their outside shoulder. Secondly, the Fly Half has the option to play wider by using the pull back option, aiming to attack the corner of the defence. Third, they could decide to pop the ball on the inside, in order to relieve pressure from a blitzing defence. If all other options are exhausted, the Fly Half can carry from the shape.
On this occasion Dan Biggar lifts the ball to the hard runner on his shoulder, Wyn Jones. By using the tighter option it gives Wales a fast clearing option as Jake Ball can cut across and pin the Italian tacklers into the ruck. This simple edge attack move may only be a small cog in the game plan but allows for some wonderful variations which help Wales break teams down.
There are multiple ways in which Wales set about breaking sides down, based on this shape, and their general attacking framework. The handling between the different elements of the pods helped them open the defence, like we saw in the Hardy try earlier. This edge play allows for some wonderful variation based on the Pivac doctrine of “no numbers on back” rugby. For example, the use of a roaming back three which Wales have become adept at using to break teams down.
In the same attack against Italy, Wales have now set a 2 man pod outside the Fly Half, as part of their general attack structure. However, instead of both runners being forwards, one of the roles is performed by Winger, Josh Adams (Blue Spotlight). This gives Wales additional pace within the midfield. On this phase, Wales use their other Winger, Johnny McNicholl (Red Spotlight) who wraps off his wing, operating as the pull back. The use of roaming Wingers, is a clear example of the no numbers on back policy.
Later on in the same attack, Wales do pull the trigger releasing from a pod. While the setup is slightly different with Adams on the inside, it is again based on their common phase play shape. The two hard runners (white rings) outside the playmaker, draw the Italian pressure. This leaves a small hole just outside the ‘B’ defender who is hung out to dry. Adams (Red Spotlight) attacks on the inside. The strength of the carry, especially against a weak inside shoulder, allows Adams to get his hands free and offload to the Scrum Half on the inside. The offloading attack is a clear example of Wales focussing on developing a high skill attack.
This interplay didn’t just deliver line breaks, it also directly delivered tries, such as this beauty from Tomos Williams.
Wales rather than using the edge shape we have been discussing, are now flowing through to the end of their structure playing off the one forward out wide. The quick ball from the previous ruck is important as Justin Tipuric stayed on his feet long enough for Dillon Lewis and Hadliegh Parkes to clear out. The quick ball allows Tomos Williams to beat four folding irish defenders with a pass and gives Alun Wyn Jones, a one on one carry against a scrambling Bundee Aki with Murrary swimming off early. This allows the welsh Lock to stretch through the tackle and control his landing. With his hands free Alun Wyn Jones can pass inside to Dan Biggar who has run through the Irish line. Biggar can then combine with Tomos Williams to provide an offload for a truly flair filled score exhibiting the Welsh gameplan.
The Welsh Attack Structure
The Welsh attack is built from a doctrine of no numbers on back but it is still structured, using not only the attacking shape shown above but with a typical attacking structure. Some may bemoan the use of structure and formations in modern day rugby, however Wales have melded this with their no numbers to produce some fantastic opportunities and scores. The structure Wales have employed have been variations on the 1-3-2-2 shape, pioneered by Japan at Rugby World Cup 2019. One of the main innovations that Pivac has overseen is a use of a roaming back three, with them often loading on to one side of the field. The overall structure of the Welsh attack is easy to see in this passage against England.
The Welsh attack begins from a lineout maul drive just inside the English half. Using two pods of three, Wales take their attack to the 15m line. These phases allow Wales to get their forwards on feet, and they begin to set their attacking structure.
After the first two phases, Alun Wyn Jones (White) has worked around from the maul on the touchline to form a midfield pod with the two Welsh Centres (Blue). Jones positions on the inside of the pod, acting as the primary cleaner and giving the welsh quick ball. The strong carry by Halaholo forces a double tackle, and traps Curry and Farrell on the wrong side of the breakdown.
The outside backs have now loaded up in the outside channel, with Rees-Zammit (14) inside of Williams (15) and Adams (11) on the edge. Sheedy gives a well timed pass which forces the English Full Back to come up and cover the wide channel. The threat of the outside backs causes England to commit out wide and they are left tight on the next phase.
Wales use their typical edge attack shape with Callum Sheedy inserting in front of the pod of three forwards. Wales have also formed a second pod slightly wider holding the English defence. Sheedy’s break comes as a result of exploiting holes created by this structure. The animation of Navidi inside puts Cowan Dickie on his heels just for a second. The Hooker is not helped as he is defending alone with his inside exposed by Itoje’s slower line speed.
From using the end on angle, we can also see that the break stems from England’s defence being completely worked out of shape. Callum Sheedy (Red Ring), stands opposite Cowan Dickie who is completely exposed on either side. Wales have filled their positions well, flowing within a structure. From here, Wales strike hard and fast at the gaps they have created. The break has been caused not only due to individual brilliance but also a attacking framework and structure.
The welsh use of structure does not just lead to holes and line breaks however with it also delivering one of the tries of the tournament. A mixture of individual brilliance, and superb tactical play to expose holes created by the structure gave us a masterpiece of a score from Louis Rees Zammit.
A carry from Taulupe faletau sets a midfield platform, and allows Wales to gain front foot ball. The dominant nature of the carry means that the Welsh forwards can enter the breakdown immediately without having to work round to get through the gate.
Off the next phase Wales search for width, Sheedy positions in behind Ken Owens to receive a pull back pass, with Tipuric dropping back allowing Wales to reach width. The phase may go sideways but it allows Wales to form into a 1-3-3-1 shape across the field with Alun Wyn Jones supported in the clearout by three backs.
Playing from the edge, Kieran Hardy finds Callum Sheedy as Wales look to attack the Scottish midfield. The Scottish line speed is good, and the double tackle strong, however Wales are able to fold round faster and it’s the speed of the fold which causes problems on the next phase.
Wales then use a variation on their typical attack shape, with two hard runners off Sheedy and the addition of a clear pull back option. The two hard runners force Scotland’s defence to shut them down. This turns Chris Harris (Blue Spotlight) inside. Sheedy gives the ball early to Adam Beard who shows great handling skills and lifts the ball cleanly to Halaholo who bursts round the corner of the Scotland defence. This attack is a clear indication of the Welsh gameplan, and them attacking off the Fly Half. Their general shape with an inside runner plus two outside runners give Wales lots of width with the added threat of a pull back option from both 10 and the hard runners outside. This added threat causes real problems for the Scotland defence as it exposes Chris Harris.
The welsh attack beats Harris, on the outside forcing him to defend with a soft drift and give up ground. As a result Wales can unleash their wide men, with Halaholo’s run linking him with Faletau, and Louis Rees-Zammit. Halaholo gives the Welsh speedster the ball with a perfect pass enabling Zammit to easily beat Duhan van der Merwe. The chip kick is an audacious piece of skill, and shows yet another example of the high skill, high reward play Wales have adopted under Pivac.
Summary
The Welsh attack has delivered some fantastic moments under Pivac, and was certainly the strongest attribute in their championship win scoring the most points. However, while the 32 points per game is impressive, what has also been fantastic is the manner in which Wales have scored these points. They have innovated and added layers to their attack with the use of roaming back three players especially important in the new Welsh style. Most interestingly, Pivac is developing a game plan which relies on high skills across positions with forwards playing increasingly important roles in spreading the ball. The Welsh attack is their own distinct brand, but also intriguingly shows what Rugby could become as a no numbers approach becomes more common.
The Analysis Guy 