Our story begins with a side languishing second from bottom. At the end of 2019/20 season Leicester were a side who had won just 6 games, and scored under 400 points. To resurrect themselves, in the space of two seasons is an admirable feat. But what exactly is behind the Tigers’ return to glory?
In this piece we will look at the attacking foundations behind their surge to the top. Leicester’s attack was built on three core ideas: winning the physical battle, shape on shape wide attacks, and kicking game which requires its own individual focus.
Physical Tigers
Leicester Tigers have played their own unique brand of rugby this season. Basing their style around dominating the gainline and winning the physical battle. This begins with their set piece attack.
Leicester loved releasing big carriers directly into midfield. The Tigers threw just 1 or 2 passes over 85% of the time on Lineout first phase attack. And with weapons like Nemani Nadolo it helped provide a solid platform, allowing Leicester to fold quickly around the corner.
They maintained their physical approach during phase play too. The main way they did this was their choice of play maker.
What we can see on the above graphic is that Leicester love playing off the Scrum Half. They averaged the third highest % of play off 9 of the sides within my data base. They also played the second lowest percentage of their phases off the Fly Half. This helped reduce the impact of high pressure defences with Leicester aiming to bang the blitz.
As can be seen in the GIF above, Leicester have a very simple pattern wrapping round the corner. There is certainly nothing revolutionary about the shape of the forward pods used by Leicester.
However there is an interesting tweak. Leicester have turned the directness up to 11. Where most teams look to move the ball within their pods, Leicester’s forwards prioritise clearing the rucks. This helps generate the quick ball modern teams use for their attacks.
The data backs this up. While Leicester don’t carry the most, the South African sides take this privilege, the lack of tips inside or outside is quite clear. Leicester shifted the ball within their forward pods, the second least of all club teams I have covered for a minimum of two games.
Tigers Baring Their Teeth
While Leicester’s are more than happy to break the barn door down, they also played some scintillating rugby. Scoring more than 700 points requires more than one method of attack. The main way Tigers varied their attack was through their use of Pull Back passes in order to play shape on shape rugby.
Here we can see an example of Leicester’s wide attack. Typically Leicester have utilised a 3-1 or a 3-2 set up. This describes the alignment of their forwards, with a pod of 3, (dark blue line) and then a second pod outside a ball player. That Leicester are happy to play with a single player in the second pod is a sign of their intentions to spread it wider rather than crash it up. Instead the single man pod is designed to target the corner defender (circled in red).This helps divert their attention inside, leaving space out wide for Leicester to attack.
This attack eventually peters out, but it does provide a clear example of Leicester’s shape on shape attack.
This shape on shape attack becomes even more effective when married with the brutal approach we discussed earlier. In their game against Connacht we get a clear picture of Leicester’s attacking DNA.
The Melting Pot
Leicester begin their attack from a turnover just inside their own half, first using a small pick and go from Wells to get them on the front foot. Jasper Wiese then steps into Scrum Half and floats a pass straight to the number 13 Matt Scott. The centre is standing deep behind the pod of 3 we discussed earlier giving himself time to pick his pass.
Scott chooses to throw a long pass to Bryce Heggarty who has time to drift on the pass. This creates a disconnect in the Connacht defence. A small pass from the Heggarty to the charging Dan Kelly then beats the Connacht defence and Leicester scythe through.
Tigers maintain their width as they flow through following Kelly’s break. This passage provides a great example for teams to follow with multiple options for each ball carrier after the initial break. This support play enables Leicester to reach the Connacht 5 metre line.
Following this break, Leicester releases a flat pod of forwards into the Connacht defence. This forces Connacht to fold and adjust their defensive alignment. The width on the pass from Wigglesworth really helps add to the pressure on the Connacht defence by cutting 4 players on the blindside.
Leicester are really on the front foot by this stage. George Ford then utilises his forwards in a 2-2 set up to screen the backline, giving Leicester time to attack Connacht’s widest defenders. They can’t quite make a break but some great footwork by Steward keeps the pressure on.
Following a further carry around the corner by the Leicester backs, the Tigers have reached the touchline.
To bounce back off the touchline they carry with a forward pod a phase. Connacht do well to hold up Wiese in the tackle slowing down the Leicester attack.
Recovering from a slow ruck this close to the line can be difficult as the opposition defence can apply extremely high pressure. To counter this Leicester revert to type as they work hard around the corner. The first carry is as direct as they come. With a near immediate latch. The second carry by Ellis Genge is superb. The Prop uses great footwork pre contact footwork to get a softer shoulder. Rather than angling back towards the previous ruck, the Bristol bound loose head curves out with his carry, allowing him to attract Connacht’s 4th, 5th and 6th defenders to the tackle. This reduces Connacht’s width significantly on the next phase.
The final phase may look simple, but how often have you seen your side spurn an overlap and get bundled into touch. Ford carries to the line, and fires a great pass directly to Steward. Steward then attacks the winger, managing to turn his shoulders inwards. Some solid handling by Steward then sees Murimurivalu down the touch line to score past despite the desperate challenge of Aki.
The marrying of Tiger’s tight and wide attacking in this passage is highly impressive. However Tigers attack is not infallible. In the next section, we will take a look at a small chink in the Tigers armour teams may look to exploit next season.
Beating The Tigers
Every side in rugby has an achilles heel and Leicester no different. For the Tigers this weakness is driven by their pass selection to their Forward pods. As discussed earlier, Leicester rarely shift the ball within their pods, instead prioritising the ruck clear. This is fine, except on occasion Tigers found themselves too flat meaning their inside man was the only option for the pass from the ruck.
In the GIF above we can see this trait of hitting the inside option. On this occasion inside option Julian Montoya has cut off access to the rest of the forward options by getting too flat. This means the Argentine only has clearing options on his outside. This is where the problem stems from. By having the cleaners stuck on one side, a good tackler can manipulate the carrier to present jackal opportunities.
This clip from the Semi Final fixture with Northampton Saints is a great example of the problems Tigers face when they hit the inside man. Wiese makes a decent effort in carry, trying to run towards the supporting Montoya. However a strong chop from Matavesi and a solid hit from Api Ratinyuwara on the outside forces Wiese to fall inside. This means Wiese falls in a compromised position just in front of Juarno Augustus. The Northampton Number 8 immediately locks onto the ball and makes the steal.
This is a little detail in the larger scheme of Leicester Tigers attack but does show a small chink in their armour. Whether we see Leicester change their shape slightly and prioritise hitting the middle player next season will be interesting. This could also allow additional variation in their attack as they look to reach new heights next year.
Summary
Tigers built a fearsome attack scoring over 700 points scored last season. Fundamentally it was built on gainline dominance and a strong forward carrying game. They based their attack primarily off their Scrum Halves. However, teams shouldn’t underestimate their ability to strike outwide. Tigers successfully certainly brought a cutting edge to match their brutal tight game. But they aren’t invincible, with their tendency to hit the inside man on their carrying pods presenting an opportunity for opposing jackallers. But Leicester will certainly bring a strong attack next year as they launch their assault to be back to back Champions.
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