Attacking the Space

Inside Rugby's Tactical and Data Revolution

Sam Larner, Mike Prendergast

$34.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Seven Dials
01 February 2026

Data analysis: general; Sports & outdoor recreation; Rugby Union; Rugby League

'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

'A must-read. Sam's detail and understanding of the game will open your eyes' Jimmy Gopperth

'Brilliantly insightful' Paul Williams

'Invaluable - a brilliant resource for anyone interested in rugby' Bernard Jackman

Does it matter which foot your fly-half kicks with? How can teams win matches when the clock stops? Why don't wingers actually play on the wing? Does having more possession increase a team's chances of winning?

Leading data analyst Sam Larner lifts the lid on international rugby, using his decade of experience at the professional level to reveal the tactical and data revolution that has taken the sport by storm. Sharing ground-breaking insight into the modern game, Sam explores the exciting innovations players and clubs are currently using to improve their gameplay. He analyses the metrics by which teams succeed and fail in their attempts to win metres, tries and matches, as well as why recent law changes are so important for rugby's development and what a data-driven future holds for the sport.

With each chapter focusing on a different match, such as France facing the All Blacks in 2023 and Wales' remarkable comeback against England at the 2008 Six Nations, Attacking the Space is revolutionary in its approach as the first book to tackle rugby's new obsession with data and tactics. It takes readers on a fascinating tour of modern rugby to offer a twenty-first century overview of one of the world's most exciting sports. This is rugby as you've never seen it before.

By: Sam Larner
Foreword by: Mike Prendergast
Imprint: Seven Dials
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9781399625104
ISBN 10: 1399625101
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 01 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

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.

Reviews for Attacking the Space: Inside Rugby's Tactical and Data Revolution

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 must-read for anyone interested in rugby. * Paul Williams, author of Rugby Has F***ing Laws, Not Rules & Rugby Was F***ing Better When... *