The try built from structure and timing
Couch Rugby breaks down a Leinster set move from a midfield scrum against Cardiff, and we have drawn the play so you can run it.
Check out this analysis by Couch Rugby. They break down Leinster’s second try against Cardiff, a set move from a scrum just outside Cardiff’s 10 metre line. Play the Short beside the text as you read through the key moments Couch Rugby picks out.
The setup behind the scrum
From the back view, Couch Rugby shows Prendergast and Keenan positioned directly behind the scrum. Leinster get the ascendancy in the scrum and win a penalty advantage, which Couch Rugby suspects is because Wainwright has gone to ground.
Coffey plays it out the back, and a pause shows the full setup. Prendergast and Keenan are already moving to the near side, while Kenny is alone on the far side near the touchline. That gives Leinster the option of breaking either way.
Cardiff’s backfield problem
The scrum is in the centre of the field, so both touchlines are within kicking range. Cardiff have to keep a defender in the backfield near the far touchline and another at fullback.
Couch Rugby’s point is that it does not matter which way Prendergast and Keenan go. Because two defenders are tied up in the backfield, Leinster will have a one-man overlap either way.
Selling the crash ball
The centre pair, Osborne and Ringrose, receive the ball first and carry straight to keep Cardiff’s defence compressed. As Osborne carries and Prendergast and Keenan move around the back, the two edge defenders have an awkward decision: stay out, or come in to stop the crash ball.
Osborne and Ringrose sell the crash ball until the defenders compress, then pop the ball back to Prendergast at the last second.
The finish
Back on the back view, that creates space outside for Prendergast and Keenan. Couch Rugby highlights Keenan’s line outside Prendergast: it means no defender can afford to shift out onto O’Brien on the wing. Prendergast draws the last defender and sets O’Brien free to score.
Try the play in Coachable
We have drawn a midfield scrum move in Coachable so you can walk your team through the shape. Open it below, watch it animate, and add it to your own playbook.
Open the Mid-Field Scrum play to see it full size and add it to your playbook.
What to take from it
- A scrum in the middle of the field forces the defence to cover two backfield spaces.
- Players stacked behind the scrum keep both sides open until the ball comes out.
- A convincing crash ball compresses the edge defenders before the ball goes out the back.
This breakdown is by Couch Rugby, and every point above is theirs. Watch the original Short on YouTube and follow Couch Rugby for more short analysis like this.