Atherstone RFC President, John Hughes has collected a wide range of rugby memorabilia over the years much of which is a window into the history of our Club. One such piece of memorabilia was a document which was produced and distributed to players by the Player Coach Mr M A Sweeney, a former Birmingham and Coventry player from 1972 to 1977. The document was entitled ‘Tactical and Attacking Rugby’ and was a compilation of quotations that were collected from books on Modern Rugby, by some of the world’s most famous players. Unfortunately there are no names attributed to the quotes. whilst the laws of the game may have changed over the years, the sentiments behind many of the quotes are as relevant today as they were then. The document is reproduced below:

Introduction

It is the intention that players should analyse their positions and determine for themselves if they are making the full contribution to the team effort, - sometimes knowing what to do and where to be is far more of an advantage than just being able to run aimlessly and generally getting in the way, or adversely hesitating or thinking about what he should be doing and then doing nothing.

Scrum

A forward’s first and unfailing duty is to push his weight in the scrum for the whole of the match. There is no place for a drone in this hive.
Sustaining of scrum pressure or the determined ‘shove’ until the ball is well out of the opposing scrum often tends to throw that scrum off balance and thereby causing a slovenly heel by the opponents. In reverse the continued shove gives it the advantage of heeling ‘on the move’ and may have the additional benefit of pinning down opposing loose forwards.
A set scrum is of little value unless every member is comfortable in it.
Bad scrummaging undermines the confidence and the striking power of the whole team.

The 3 Musts

When a scrum breaks-up every forward must be mindful of an objective. He must know where he is going. He must think about where his services will be most required.
Speed in the pursuit of a developing attack whether it be in support or in defence is the forwards’ watchword on the field.
All forwards must keep an eye on the ball throughout its progress into and through the scrum.
A forward who cannot see the ball in the scrum is pushing aimlessly.

Half Backs

Good rugger is dependent upon harmonious movements, smooth co-operation and mutual confidence between the half backs.
The fly half must aim at straightening his attacking line.
In defence the fly half must move up first and foremost with the object of tackling his opposing fly half. He may not get to his opposite number, but he will have succeeded in keeping his line of defence unbroken, and in alignment while moving up like a closing gate which will cut off any opposition.

A fly half must ensure that the scrum half understands his intended move in any position on the field.
Changing the direction of an attack is a fly half’s biggest tactical factor.
A fly half must attempt to vary his play more than any other player thus setting his opponents a constant querying problem.
A fly half must not miss touch kicks, he should not make forwards run backwards and forwards across the field.

Scrum Half

The scrum half must remember his a primarily linking half back.
A scrum half is most dangerous when he is unpredictable.
He must not be without piratical instincts, otherwise he is merely a slave to a pack.
The scrum half has the scope to be the fuse-wire of every team.
Varied breaks in combination with intelligent loose forwards are irresistable.
A scrum half has no license ever to consider himself out of any movement.
‘Cover the field’ must be his motto.
Scrum halves must never pass or break against the moving of the scrum.
Courage to withstand the loose forward menace and not to fall prey to them is the hallmark of a scrum half of class.

Lineouts

In a game of rugby, there are usually from 60 to 80 lineouts. They are the most frequent of the set pieces.
Make the lineout serve as a ‘battle front’ where the opposition can be tamed, subdued and out-smarted.
Disciplined lineout work can be a great morale builder.
Every player in the lineout or associated with it, must know where and how the ball is to be delivered.
Should the opposition be slow and loose in the lineout, then drive a wedge through them.
Cash in on opposing tappers from the lineout - chase the ball and hammer opposing halves.
Do not be guilty of barging, obstruction or charging in the lineouts.
If the opponents tap the ball back make use of it, this is a gift.
Leave no gaps in your lineout spacing.
Support, protect and back-up your man receiving, do not remain glued to your post. Move to the point where the ball is landing - give a solid concerted shove when it is tactically sound not to let the ball out to the scrum-half immediately.

Loose Forwards

They are the architects of cohesion and combinations. They must make a positive contribution to all phases of play.
Loose forwards must be possessed of the fundamental essentials of good hands, speed and stamina.
In three quarter attack the loose forwards must work out fool-proof lines of support or pursuit.
In support close to the set pieces loose forwards must be alert, ‘messengers’ or ‘watchdogs’ or ‘nurse maids’ to the work of the scrum-half.
In defence the flanks in particular are there to hustle, harass, smother or trap opposing halves.
To counter-attack from the loose ball as a result of a tackle, to receive or to continue a movement is perhaps the major part of his duties.

Three-quarters Play

Good hands, speed, an eye for an opening, a sense of position, good judgement in linking with his best positioned supporter are qualities that will make a good three-quarter.
Straight running is the aim.
It is wrong for a three-quarter to think that he must do something clever every time he gets the ball.
A three-quarter must never think of a break until he has the ball in his hands. He must never force a break that does not suggest itself.
When a three-quarter kicks he must do it with a view to regaining possession or to give his side an advantage.
A centre’s main role is to feed his wings.
Centres must tackle hard - bundling ball-and-all crash tackle is ideal and has a great morale boosting value to the defenders’s side.
Centres must not hold up a movement.
Wings are chosen for their speed and penetration. They must be given an opportunity to use it.
The starved wing is a good player relegated to the status of a ball boy.
Coolness and resolution in attack as well as reliability in defence are required essentials.
A blind side winger must look for work.
A wing, provided he is on his feet and not held should never fail to score when about 10 to 12 feet from the try line.