There is a lot of rugby on at the moment. 6 Nations, Super 15 and the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 means it can be hard to keep up with everything that's going on. A top of the table clash has to be a must watch and thankfully last weekends game between second placed Bath and first place Northampton in the Aviva Premiership was a belter.
Both Teams played with some genuine intent, moved the ball wide and scored some stunning trys, but the pick of the bunch for me was Northampton’s second scored by Mike Haywood.
The try comes from a turn over at the lineout and like any good team Northampton exploit this and put their chance away in one phase.
Oddly when i reviewed the video i realise i'd focused a lot on how Baths defence makes mistakes, and that in some ways does a disservice to the excellent attacking play by Northampton, who exploit a very slight chance by making sure all the backs maintaining space by fixing and passing and then supporting the move right the way through to it breaking down. Additionally it's excellent awareness and decision making by Stephen Myler to spot Louw turned in and release behind the back of the punch group.
The speed at which Northampton execute is brilliant and despite working hard off the ball Bath are never allowed to get their transition defence settled and ready to get of the line, they are constantly moving sideways and turning in.
It's a fine try and hopefully you'll enjoy this breakdown of it and find some of it useful, and if you have the means do try and watch game.
Also just a quick word to remind you that as the Super 15 is back under way we'll be doing some analysis pieces for the excellent Green and Gold Rugby website again, so please do keep an eye on there if you see no article on here, and please remember to like us on Facebook and Twitter were you'll also find us posting analysis relevant material we've been checking out.
Author: The Dead Ball Area
Graeme Forbes has run The Dead Ball Area since 2014.
You can find his material on Green and Gold Rugby, Rugbydump Coaching and Youtube. You can also find him randomly arguing with people on Twitter.
