Wayne’s Wales: Lineout

Under Wayne Pivac the Welsh lineout has been quite the roller coaster ride. In the 2020 Six Nations Wales had perhaps the worst lineout. Using Simon Gleave’s Lineout Effectiveness Metrics they sat bottom, however by the end of the 2021 competition they had risen to the top. This piece won’t focus on how they fixed the problems, but instead look at how Wales used the lineout as a launch platform. Wales have managed to create a great attacking weapon, not only one which enables them to score but also one which enables them to exit dangerous areas.

The Welsh lineout strategy is dependent on the zone of attack. To begin with we will examine how Wales exited their own 22, and before then moving onto how Wales delivered scintillating strike plays further up the pitch.

Welsh Exit Lineouts

Wales have called a 4 man lineout on their 5 meter line. The idea behind this is to use speed to beat the Irish jumpers. To help with their speed and accuracy don’t bother with any complicated movements instead walking straight into the jump. The simple nature of the lineout is easy to see from the end on angle.

Wales begin with a small walk in, before Tipuric followed by Beard rush forward. The Irish mirror the Welsh Lineout, this means they are reactive rather than predictive. This slight delay gives Tipuric the time and space he needs to make the catch. The throw from Ken Owens hits the apex of Tipuric’s jump. This gives the jumper additional space allowing Tipuric to free his hands and give the ball off the top. 

The above screenshot gives a clear image of the Welsh attack shape off 9. As the ball comes off the top, Wales place themselves under high pressure to execute and make sure they can execute the simple move. Faletau (Red Circle) is the lead runner in the formation, with Alun Wyn-Jones, and Tomas Francis as the ruck clearers. This forward pod is set wide from the Scrum Half and allows Wales to reach the 15m immediately. The Welsh forwards are targeting the Irish hinge defender, hoping to make easy yardage while he is isolated. 

Switching back to the TV angle, we can see why Wales aim for that 15m line. Faletau, as the lead runner, is able to skip around the hinge defender and make a dominant carry. Once the Number 8 is brought to ground, Wales can enter their kicking shape. The Welsh breakdown is stacked with players giving good protection for scrum half Tomos Willaims. However, they also position chasers on the blindside. Ken Owens and Wyn Jones will act as the containment with Louis Rees Zammit wider to target the ball. 

The targeting of the 15m line is a clear trait of the Welsh exit strategy. In the clip above Wales use a near identical pattern to clear their lines. There are some changes, with it being a 5 man lineout as opposed to the 4 man used against Ireland but there are still consistent themes. Wales again used a no nonsense approach, throwing to the front with little movement. There is another small innovation with Navidi at scrum half (more on this later). Faletau then carries, attacking the hinge of the lineout, and targeting the 15m line. This width again allows Wyn Jones, and Ken Owens to be used as containment on the upcoming kick chase.

The two lineouts broken down above give a good insight into the Welsh exit policy. The system uses speed to beat the defence, both in the lineout and when attacking the hinge. Wales have become incredibly good at the nuts and bolts, and this helps join their defensive lineouts with their exit kicking game. 

As Wales get further from their try line, they do change tactics though there are still some similarities. The main change is their preference for mauling, especially in their Own 50m. Across the 2021 Six Nations, Wales had 15 lineouts in their Own 50m. Wales used a maul 10 times (66%), and played off the top just 5 times. This is a clear change from their Own 22 where they had 3 mauls and off the top plays alike. 

Here Wales partially set a maul in order to draw Scottish eyes to the front of the lineout. They then run a shape consisting of 2 hard runners, one of which is the industrious Faletau, in the midfield. This is designed to give a centrefield platform for the kick. The speed of the play is crucial to its success, with Wales again beating the hinge, and easily winning the gainline battle. 

Another interesting aspect are the actions of Tomas Francis. Initially the tighthead prop joins the maul, working round to cover Wainwright. The Exeter player then joins the midfield to help secure the ball. The work rate of Francis has been clear throughout all these moves with the tighthead prop acting as the second arriving forward in all three. While it may not be glamorous, it is important. The Exeter prop helping to give Wales a solid platform to exit and complete their attack.

The Welsh 31 Play

The Welsh lineout attack uses similar structures when it gets into the opposition half. One of the biggest carry overs is the use of a 2 man crashball team. Whether this is composed of backrowers, or centres, Wayne Pivac’s side really enjoy a solid carrying option. 

Here is a great example of Wales using a 2 man crashball, this time playing wider off Fly Half Dan Biggar. Launching from the tail of the lineout gives Wales a lot of space, and decreases the distance to Dan Biggar. The speed of the ball allows the Welsh ball carriers to make the gainline and carry through the French tackles. The crashball therefore serves a useful purpose, giving a strong platform to attack from, and allowing Wales to create quick ball. However, the more crucial part of the crash ball is that it allows the Welsh to launch one of their most effective patterns. The 31 Play.

A 31 play is simply a pattern where 3 phases are played in one direction before a fourth phase is played against the grain. Wales use the first 3 phases to contract the defence, opening up space for an expansive return play. 

Wales play their second phase the same way as the first, attacking directly from the Scrum half. They use a simple shape to try and disrupt the French defence, with a pod containing Navidi and Alun Wyn Jones wrapping behind the hardline of Jon Davies. Navidi makes an impactful carry, getting beyond the gainline. This carry gives Wales quick ball and allows Tipuric and Faletau to work wider ready for the next phase.

Wales then play the same way for the third phase attacking to the far 15m line. Tipuric and Faletau have gotten really wide from the previous phase. The width allows Faletau and Tipuric to work together, removing the french breakdown threat. The carry also reaches the crucial launch point of the 15m line, which opens the field for a Welsh strike pattern.

This backline play may seem quite complicated with lots of moving parts, but as we break it down, the play becomes easy to understand. Firstly, we can identify the target of the Welsh play, Gael Fickou. Fickou is defending quite wide from his inside defenders, and acts as the “Corner” of the French defence. If Wales can isolate Fickou, there will be opportunities. 

To attack the “Corner”, Wales use a 3 layered attack. The distribution, the blocking and the striking layers. The distribution layer comprises the forwards in the red line, and Dan Biggar (White Arrow). Biggar is sitting in the pocket of that first pod, meaning he is able to spread the ball whilst protected by that layer of forwards. Wales then use the blocking layer (Orange Circles) and strike layer (Black Arrows) to target Fickou. The orange layer aims to prevent Fickou connecting with the inside defenders, and to open a space for the strike layer. The strike layer can then isolate Fickou, either spreading the ball wider, or using Liam Williams (Top Spotlight) on the inside. Now, it’s time to see how Wales stitches it all together.

The ball is played behind the orange line, and Liam Williams almost escapes on the inside line. Fickou has done really well to stop Wales getting wider before disrupting the pass inside. However, the strength of the Welsh carry has caused some problems. With Wales going wider, the French backfield has to rearrange itself with Thomas pushing up to the main line. The width has also caused a mild scramble in the French ranks who sweep round the corner to try and match Wales.

Wales flashback again, this time using Adam Beard at first receiver to spread the ball. Tipuric receives the ball with enough space to slide a kick through. The panic Wales have induced with the speed of their attack leads to a lot of space in the French backfilled, and Tipuric attacks it. Adams and Tomos Williams then combine to score.  The score may have a fair bit of luck with the bouncing ball but is a great example of the Welsh 31 play and how it laid the foundations for the Welsh to score. 

Forwards At Scrum Half

One major innovation from Wales under Pivac has been the use of Forwards at the Scrum Half position. Teams have certainly done this in the past, with many using the “plus one” lineout to either form a maul, or as an extra lifter. Wales have taken a different approach with the forward at scrum half acting as a distributor, a great example of the no numbers on back approach. Under Pivac we have seen various backrowers appearing at Scrum Half giving Wales an additional option with which they can threaten the opposition.

Wales start from a 5 man lineout just outside the Ireland 22. Navidi stands in the position typically occupied by the Scrum Half ready to link with the front jumping pod. Wales then played off the top with Tipuric giving the ball quickly to Navidi. The blindside flanker can then free Taluape Faletau, who runs directly into Josh Van Der Flier. This gives Wales a powerful carrier directly into the Ireland line. Josh Navidi then follows the ball and is free to play scrum half on the next phase.

As a result of Navidi working to play scrum Half, it gives the opportunity for Gareth Davies to play from first receiver. Davies then carries on the blindside, with Wales creating a 3 on 2. Ireland do well to defend this with Davies running lateral, so Wales rely on the silky feet of the Sheriff to get to the gainline. While the Welsh attack fizzles out, it does show the intent and new approach under Pivac.

Wales again start from a lineout just outside the England 22. Navidi begins in the lineout, but pivots to take the ball from the jumping pod. This gives an impression to the English side that Wales will bring a maul, instead they play the ball wider. Wales play with great pace off the lineout. The carry may be ineffective but the attack wins Wales a penalty as England go offside. The attack exhibits just how Wales are innovating under Pivac.

This innovation is a great way of examining one of Wayne Pivac’s crucial principles. The No Numbers on Back attack. By using a high skill forward at Scrum Half, Wales are able to push their attack wider and spread the ball with ease. The use of a Back Rower in this way keeps the defence on their toes as they can’t solely expect a maul from a plus one lineout. Playing off the top is incredibly rare when using a plus one lineout. Of the 276 plus one lineouts over the 2020 rugby championship and 2021 Six Nations, only 27 have been played off the top. Wales are responsible for 6 of these.

Overall, Wales have built a really fearsome lineout attack. There have been great strike moves including those which have resulted in tries. But more importantly they have developed a way of playing off lineout which is truly innovative while built around key principles. The 31 play, for example, which Wales have begun to use is a powerful phase play pattern. It allows Wales to immediately get into their overall attacking shape, while attacking specific weak points in the defensive line. The use of 4 man lineouts on their own line, shows a willingness to take a risk. The four man lineout, offers quick and easy exit patterns, and really help Wales focus on playing in the right areas. Finally Wales have innovated through the use of a forward at Scrum Half. A simple innovation which links perfectly with the no numbers on back rugby they are trying to develop.