Attacking the Space

The game of rugby has changed. Scrums take longer, we no longer ruck, and 9s put the ball into the second row. But it’s still as intoxicating as ever. Attacking the Space is an illuminating description of how this has happened and where we go next. * Eddie Jones, Australian Rugby Coach *It’s not just that Sam is a rugby expert. It’s that he can explain the game to fans, both new and old, in a way very few can. This is a brilliantly insightful read for anyone interested in rugby. * Paul Williams, author of Rugby Has Fing Laws, Not Rules & Rugby Was Fing Better When… *If you love rugby and always wonder why players/teams are playing certain ways, then this is a must read. Sam’s detail and understanding of the game will open your eyes to see how we as professional players play the game. * Jimmy Gopperth, New Zealand Rugby Player *Sam is one of the brightest minds in rugby, and it’s no surprise that he has produced this invaluable book - a brilliant resources for anyone interested in rugby at the highest level. * Bernard Jackman, Irish former rugby union player *Fantastic insight into how the game has evolved, a must-read for rugby fans. * Ben Youngs, former England rugby player *A compelling new book… examines the type of processes which will go into players like regular wing Tommy Freeman and dynamic newcomer Noah Caluori * Metro *’[Larner] has a brain the size of a planet… [Attacking the Space] is well written, insightful and thought-provoking… Yorkshire-based Larner is a child of the digital generation. He loves data and knows the value of a box kick to the nearest decimal point… Very interesting.’ * Robert Kitson, The Guardian *Attacking the Space is part of a trend aiming to satisfy sports fans’ demand for more rigorous, statistical pundity. It’s also the first book from a major publishing house to explore data in rugby… it is a book for those who want to understand what really happens on the pitch. Ahead of the Six Nations, it is also essential reading… Larner’s book reveals rugby’s secrets, and distils why the sport has never been better. * Daniel Rey, Financial Times *

Sam Larner is a rugby journalist, analyst and coach. He has written for Rugby World, Rugby Pass, The Six Nations, and the Rugby World Cup. He has also presented Beyond80, an analysis and data show for World Rugby at both the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and the 2024 Six Nations. He uses data and analysis to uncover what really happens in rugby matches, working with pro players and teams to help them understand what the data is saying and ultimately improve their chances of success. But, he gets just as much pleasure helping a newcomer to the sport pick their way through what can, on the surface, appear a complex game!

Attacking the Space is his first book.