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Thursday 1 June 2023 Dublin: 11°C

# Tactics

Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# Analysis
Leinster couldn't get out of their own half until it was too late
La Rochelle piled on the pressure in the second half of the Champions Cup final.
Last year
2022
# clash of styles
Guardiola responds to critics who say he overthinks crucial Champions League ties
‘I always create new tactics and ideas, and tomorrow you will see a new one,’ promised the Man City boss ahead of their quarter-final first leg with Atletico Madrid.
# Tactics
'We've been criticised for kicking too much, but the stats just don't add up'
Munster senior coach Stephen Larkham is happy with the province’s variety in attack.
All time
# chalkboard
Tactics Board: Arteta outsmarted and outgunned by Tuchel and well-oiled Chelsea
Shane Keegan breaks down the big Premier League games every Monday.
# belief
'The one thing we really take out of it is that we've got the game plan and the skill'
Munster senior coach Stephen Larkham feels the Pro14 final was “fairly evenly matched.”
# Box Kick
Scotland expect 'the same kicking accuracy that you’d get with Murray'
Gregor Townsend feels Ireland’s strengths haven’t changed too much under Andy Farrell.
# Tactics
'It seems big teams get the big calls. Referees know all these players by first name' - Cavan boss
Mickey Graham says the lower division sides “aren’t cute enough” in trying to influence games.
# Strategy
Conor Murray only box kicked twice for Ireland against Italy. This is why
Ireland had encouraging variety in their kicking game as they beat Italy in Dublin.
# Tactics
Munster's Springboks-esque game plan a dispiriting sight for province's fans
The tactical approach from Johann van Graan’s side felt far too familiar as they came up short again.
# Kick to Score
Analysis: How the Crusaders hurt the Hurricanes with their classy kicking game
Scott Robertson’s side used a variety of kicks to cause major problems in Wellington.
# Moving On
Farrell's Ireland have chance for a perfect start as Scotland visit Dublin
The World Cup is in the rearview mirror as Johnny Sexton and co. bid to get up and running.
# resurgence
How Rassie Erasmus returned from Munster to lead the Boks to World Cup glory
The 47-year-old told his players they could lift the trophy 18 months ago.
# Tactics
'We're mixing it up' - Ireland steer clear of box kicks for now
Joe Schmidt’s team have been experimenting with exits from their own 22.
# Escorting
Ireland defend themselves after Wallabies question 'blocking' tactics
‘We didn’t feel like we did anything that any other team in the world isn’t doing.’
# Mastermind
Schmidt seals status as Ireland's greatest ever coach with Grand Slam success
The Ireland head coach’s class told once again as his side delivered a controlled performance.
# Tactics
Schmidt's Ireland show typically clinical edge from close-range against Scots
The close-range set-pieces were crucial for Ireland as they set up a Grand Slam shot.
# Tactics
Video analysis: Schmidt's set-piece strikes and the "new breed" of Irish forward
The November Tests were extremely encouraging for Ireland from an attacking point of view.
# Woe
Analysis: Ireland's poor preparation and tactics costs them against Denmark
The Boys in Green’s World Cup dream died in humiliating fashion at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.
# Excuses
'I was feeling that I need my bench but we had no bench' - Mourinho
The Red Devils boss also had a pop at his Liverpool counterpart after today’s 0-0 draw.
# Tactics
Analysis: How Down can get at Tyrone, the Red Hand's speedy counter-attack and the kick-out battle
3 key tactical questions ahead of today’s Ulster final showdown between Tyrone and Down.
# Tactics
Finally, the rugby can do the real talking on this Lions tour
Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen have an intriguing tactical battle ahead.
# Tactics
Analysis: What will the first Test between the Lions and All Blacks look like?
Murray Kinsella takes a look at the key areas in today’s clash at Eden Park.
# Tactics
No surprises from the Lions' 'washing machine' but a major step forward
The Crusaders were frustrated to get drawn into a kicking battle, but the Lions’ class showed.
# Interview
'There is still a deep-rooted superiority complex with English football'
Football journalist Michael Cox chats to The42 about the evolution of tactics in the Premier League era.
# warrenball
'I want them to express themselves' - Gatland backs Lions to bring x-factor
The Lions boss has split the tour into two parts in his planning.
# Tactics
Analysis: What will today's Pro12 final between Munster and Scarlets look like?
The title decider at the Aviva Stadium should be an intriguing clash.
# Tactics
Attack, attack, attack - Mourinho's transformed Man Utd must not repeat Anfield Alamo act
The Red Devils boss was criticised for being defensive against Jurgen Klopp’s men last time, only to see the attack change their season since then.
# only the start
'If we do the same things we did last year, we won't be in the top six'
Pat Lam’s Connacht know they will have to bring new attacking ideas into the mix.
# Tactics
Analysis: Australia's 1-3-3-1 shape looking to drag England series back
Michael Cheika’s side are extremely difficult to defend against.
# Tactics
The42 Rugby Show: Stander's red, playmaking Marshall and Ireland without Sexton
Johne Murphy joined Murray Kinsella to look back on an historic weekend for Irish rugby.
# Tactics
Schmidt's biggest challenge yet is also an opportunity for Ireland
There are many fascinating elements to today’s clash with the Springboks.
# Tactics
Analysis: Connacht's 2-4-2 a symbol of their collective drive under Lam
We take a look at the unity behind the western province’s continuing rise.
# Looking Back
'Leicester players were afraid of Italian tactics'
The Foxes, who are now title favourites after beating Man City on Saturday, made a pre-season pact with Claudio Ranieri.
# Tactics
Schmidt: 'The game plan in the World Cup, I thought, served us really well'
The Ireland head coach says his side don’t have just one set of tactics.
# Failure
Analysis: Foley's Munster hit a new low with capitulation in Paris
Anthony Foley’s side were comprehensively beaten by 14-man Stade Français.
# Tactics
Munster's game plan won't change as Murray looks to ease fans' frustration
The 26-year-old doesn’t think Ian Keatley needs special treatment this week.
# PlayBook
'We know that Joe's game plans are going to work' - Ireland firm in belief
Ian Madigan is excited for Ireland to unleash some of the plays they have been holding back.
# robust
Celta Vigo used some pretty unsophisticated tactics to stop Suarez last night
Barca were on the end of a rare 4-1 defeat in La Liga last night
# Hoops
The Warriors and Rockets are going 'full small ball', and it's creating fascinating NBA chess
We’re all about those Xs and Os.
# Tactics
Analysis: Munster and the Chiefs do damage with open-play mauls
There were tries from the clever ploy in both the Pro12 and Super Rugby last weekend.