Sam Larner
@samlstandsup.bsky.social
Rugby analyst, journalist, coach, but mostly just a fan! Lover of flags and addicted to French rugby, specifically the ProD2. I write for Rugby Pass and Rugby World and dabble in presenting.
A first look inside Attacking the Space! In this chapter I explain how teams gave their wingers freedom and why Juan Imhoff is the crown prince of not sticking to his wing.
Any tips on taking arty pics including coffee??
Any tips on taking arty pics including coffee??
January 15, 2026 at 2:08 PM
A first look inside Attacking the Space! In this chapter I explain how teams gave their wingers freedom and why Juan Imhoff is the crown prince of not sticking to his wing.
Any tips on taking arty pics including coffee??
Any tips on taking arty pics including coffee??
Thank you Rhi! I did think it would be a trek too far.
January 13, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Thank you Rhi! I did think it would be a trek too far.
Are you interested in rugby, analysis, rugby analysis, and books? Can you also make it to central London for 18.30 on Monday the 2nd of February??
If so, I have 10 free tickets to give away for the launch of Attacking the Space.
If you're keen, just DM me and I'll send deets
If so, I have 10 free tickets to give away for the launch of Attacking the Space.
If you're keen, just DM me and I'll send deets
January 13, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Are you interested in rugby, analysis, rugby analysis, and books? Can you also make it to central London for 18.30 on Monday the 2nd of February??
If so, I have 10 free tickets to give away for the launch of Attacking the Space.
If you're keen, just DM me and I'll send deets
If so, I have 10 free tickets to give away for the launch of Attacking the Space.
If you're keen, just DM me and I'll send deets
Reposted by Sam Larner
Finished copies are in for @samlstandsup.bsky.social’s spectacular book Attacking the Space, Rugby’s answer to Moneyball .
With rave reviews from Eddie Jones, For the Love of Rugby’s Ben Youngs and Bernard Jackman, it’s a must-read for all rugby fans.
Out 29th Jan: geni.us/AttackingTheSp…
With rave reviews from Eddie Jones, For the Love of Rugby’s Ben Youngs and Bernard Jackman, it’s a must-read for all rugby fans.
Out 29th Jan: geni.us/AttackingTheSp…
January 12, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Finished copies are in for @samlstandsup.bsky.social’s spectacular book Attacking the Space, Rugby’s answer to Moneyball .
With rave reviews from Eddie Jones, For the Love of Rugby’s Ben Youngs and Bernard Jackman, it’s a must-read for all rugby fans.
Out 29th Jan: geni.us/AttackingTheSp…
With rave reviews from Eddie Jones, For the Love of Rugby’s Ben Youngs and Bernard Jackman, it’s a must-read for all rugby fans.
Out 29th Jan: geni.us/AttackingTheSp…
Absolutely delighted to be in the latest Love of Rugby podcast!! Give it a listen if you want to hear my impassioned defence of kicking
youtu.be/PqwpP2Ob-5Q?...
youtu.be/PqwpP2Ob-5Q?...
Inside Rugby’s Tactical Revolution
YouTube video by For The Love Of Rugby
youtu.be
December 29, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Absolutely delighted to be in the latest Love of Rugby podcast!! Give it a listen if you want to hear my impassioned defence of kicking
youtu.be/PqwpP2Ob-5Q?...
youtu.be/PqwpP2Ob-5Q?...
I would be delighted to share some shelf space!
December 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I would be delighted to share some shelf space!
Thank you so much Anna!!
December 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thank you so much Anna!!
Thank you so much Nicks!
December 22, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Thank you so much Nicks!
Delighted that England's most capped male rugby player had this to say about Attacking the Space.
We're a month away from the release date, so if you have a rugby fan in your life, pre-order them Attacking the Space!
Link: geni.us/AttackingThe...
We're a month away from the release date, so if you have a rugby fan in your life, pre-order them Attacking the Space!
Link: geni.us/AttackingThe...
December 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Delighted that England's most capped male rugby player had this to say about Attacking the Space.
We're a month away from the release date, so if you have a rugby fan in your life, pre-order them Attacking the Space!
Link: geni.us/AttackingThe...
We're a month away from the release date, so if you have a rugby fan in your life, pre-order them Attacking the Space!
Link: geni.us/AttackingThe...
Did you know? The % of tries coming from goaline or 22m restarts have increased by 70% since 2021-22 according to
@Oval_Insights
But why?
I investigate in the latest Substack:
samlarner.substack.com/p/planning-t...
@Oval_Insights
But why?
I investigate in the latest Substack:
samlarner.substack.com/p/planning-t...
December 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Did you know? The % of tries coming from goaline or 22m restarts have increased by 70% since 2021-22 according to
@Oval_Insights
But why?
I investigate in the latest Substack:
samlarner.substack.com/p/planning-t...
@Oval_Insights
But why?
I investigate in the latest Substack:
samlarner.substack.com/p/planning-t...
How do you defend midfield scrums?
With 50/22s forcing defences to cover the backfield but expansive teams looking to attack from anywhere, how do you defend them?
I discuss that on today's Substack
samlarner.substack.com/p/tactics-de...
With 50/22s forcing defences to cover the backfield but expansive teams looking to attack from anywhere, how do you defend them?
I discuss that on today's Substack
samlarner.substack.com/p/tactics-de...
December 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
How do you defend midfield scrums?
With 50/22s forcing defences to cover the backfield but expansive teams looking to attack from anywhere, how do you defend them?
I discuss that on today's Substack
samlarner.substack.com/p/tactics-de...
With 50/22s forcing defences to cover the backfield but expansive teams looking to attack from anywhere, how do you defend them?
I discuss that on today's Substack
samlarner.substack.com/p/tactics-de...
I will! Though the French launch will come after the UK one and the time is TBC
December 8, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I will! Though the French launch will come after the UK one and the time is TBC
I absolutely love France and French rugby so I am delighted to share that Attacking the Space will have a French release and a French publisher.
The English version will be out at the end of NEXT month! Have a look on Waterstones for Attacking the Space to pre-order or go into your local bookshop.
The English version will be out at the end of NEXT month! Have a look on Waterstones for Attacking the Space to pre-order or go into your local bookshop.
December 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I absolutely love France and French rugby so I am delighted to share that Attacking the Space will have a French release and a French publisher.
The English version will be out at the end of NEXT month! Have a look on Waterstones for Attacking the Space to pre-order or go into your local bookshop.
The English version will be out at the end of NEXT month! Have a look on Waterstones for Attacking the Space to pre-order or go into your local bookshop.
The fact he's resorted to targeting player's eyesight before does suggest he is that kind of player as you say. This aside!
November 29, 2025 at 11:14 PM
The fact he's resorted to targeting player's eyesight before does suggest he is that kind of player as you say. This aside!
"He's not that kind of player" - well...he is. He did it.
November 29, 2025 at 11:12 PM
"He's not that kind of player" - well...he is. He did it.
Yeah, I suspect someone had a word as he was fine in the second half
November 28, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Yeah, I suspect someone had a word as he was fine in the second half
It is bizarre. He clearly absolutely loves the game. But maybe is worried to show that.
November 28, 2025 at 8:53 PM
It is bizarre. He clearly absolutely loves the game. But maybe is worried to show that.
Sadly Jamie Lyall is brilliant, so I can't really justify turning it off. But even he sounds a bit bored!
November 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Sadly Jamie Lyall is brilliant, so I can't really justify turning it off. But even he sounds a bit bored!
Takes all sorts I suppose! Problem is, he is insightful. No doubt about that. He just cloaks it in unrelenting noise. It verges on wittering.
November 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Takes all sorts I suppose! Problem is, he is insightful. No doubt about that. He just cloaks it in unrelenting noise. It verges on wittering.
Just everything but yeah the officiating as well!
November 28, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Just everything but yeah the officiating as well!
It is a little tedious listening to Austin Healey when he's like this. Just unrelenting moaning - it's a bit like sitting next to the worst possible person in a pub.
November 28, 2025 at 8:18 PM
It is a little tedious listening to Austin Healey when he's like this. Just unrelenting moaning - it's a bit like sitting next to the worst possible person in a pub.
Coaches and players have thought their way around these challenges and created a game with more attacking, more running rugby, more tactical intrigue, and more potency. This is the best rugby has ever been - for now.
13.
13.
November 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Coaches and players have thought their way around these challenges and created a game with more attacking, more running rugby, more tactical intrigue, and more potency. This is the best rugby has ever been - for now.
13.
13.
What has been great about this? This isn't caused by a law change. If we believe some comments we'd think that 7-1 splits and 8 player benches have turned rugby into the Battle of the Somme - a relentless fight over inches. But it's not the case.
12)
12)
November 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
What has been great about this? This isn't caused by a law change. If we believe some comments we'd think that 7-1 splits and 8 player benches have turned rugby into the Battle of the Somme - a relentless fight over inches. But it's not the case.
12)
12)
This year that has dropped to 2.7. That means there are more unstructured carries than before (13% more). But also these unstructured possessions end in a try or positive outcome 23% more often than they did in 2021-22.
11)
11)
November 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This year that has dropped to 2.7. That means there are more unstructured carries than before (13% more). But also these unstructured possessions end in a try or positive outcome 23% more often than they did in 2021-22.
11)
11)
In 2021-22 there were 3 defenders beaten per clean break (DB/CB). This is a measure of space - the more space you have the easier it is to get a clean break - and is a good measure for seeing how much a winger is helped (or not) by his team.
10)
10)
November 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
In 2021-22 there were 3 defenders beaten per clean break (DB/CB). This is a measure of space - the more space you have the easier it is to get a clean break - and is a good measure for seeing how much a winger is helped (or not) by his team.
10)
10)