Delving into the ELVs
September 23 2008
Results in the Guinness Premiership have been relatively low-scoring affairs thus far with many pundits pinning the blame on the new Experimental Law Variations.
An abundance of kicking has arguably marred the opening games as teams possibly feared the consequences of being turned over inside their own half - surely the opposite upshot of the ELV introduction?
However, there's one man who has witnessed many positives in the laws and that is Bath's Defensive Coach Brad Davis.
"Looking at the ELVs without putting my defence coach hat on, I think that some have had a really positive influence on the game," said the former Castleford Tigers Rugby League player.
"For example, the five-metre defence line at a scrum gives a great opportunity for back-row moves and space for the scrum-half to challenge the defensive line.
"That is an area that [Bath] have certainly looked at and it has created the space necessary for a number of strong first-phase attacking moves."
Another change under the ELVs has been the amendment to the quick throw-in. Instead of having to throw straight, the defending team can now pass back in the direction of their own goal line, promoting counter-attacking play from the back three.
While this appears to have taken some getting used to, it is an area of the game that should appeal to Bath's Nick Abendanon, Matt Banahan, Joe Maddock axis that thrives on countering from deep.
"The quick throw-in is another really positive move for us and I see it as a real attacking weapon," revealed Davis.
"That, in combination with the ELV that states that you cannot clear to touch if you carry the ball back inside your own 22 without being tackled, means that we should see a lot more positive counter-attacking play which is another really positive variation."
Last year, Bath were the archetypal free-flowing side, scoring tries from pretty much anywhere on the pitch. The ELVs, with their promotion of quick ball and space to attack, should therefore be a welcome addition to their game plan.
Davis, though, insists that this is just one area of the game and that the variations should be given a holistic approach before making an appraisal of their overall value to the Bath's cause.
"It is easy to look at the ELVs and say 'it's a much more open game', but I challenge anyone to look at the games last season and you will see free-flowing rugby of the highest calibre," he continued.
"I think where it will benefit Bath will be the quick lineout, being able to throw the ball backwards and being able to carry that out to the back three - where we have some explosive players in that department - so there are a lot of counter-attacking opportunities rather than just getting kick return and I think that will be a benefit for us."
However, there have been large questions raised about the management of the breakdown and in particular keeping players on their feet.
Last weekend both Dean Ryan and Dean Richards called for greater clarity and consistency in the area after their closely-fought match at Kingsholm.
Yet while it may take some time in changing the mindset of players not to 'seal off' the ball, Davis is a firm believer that correct enforcement of the breakdown and keeping players on their feet, could free up the game.
"I think the breakdown plan - trying to keep players on their feet - that is something that could potentially be a real benefit, but there is a big responsibility for coaches and players to actually keep working on that in the training ground environment so that a couple of years down the line, that will become second nature," he added.
On the balance of things, Davis has kept an open mind when considering the merits and advantages of the ELVs, but there are also areas that he admits will take some getting used to.
The introduction of unlimited lineout numbers has raised some eyebrows but he believes, for the short term at least, teams will kick more, asking the opposition to play from inside their half.
"Probably the most disappointing thing about the ELVs is the fact that not many teams want to play rugby inside their own half because there is a risk that you could penalised heavily if you lose your feet accidentally," Davis explained.
"So, what you find is that teams are more prepared to kick for territory - but that could result in two or three kicks going back and forth.
"I am not sure whether that was the goal of the ELVs to actually promote more kicking or not - but that is something that probably needs to be addressed."