Lam: Attacks are taking us by storm

By TOM BRADSHAW

Leaders of the pack: Saracens, in action against Gloucester, are showing us how to attack, says Pat Lam

PICTURES: Getty Images

DEFENCE coaches are “pulling their hair out” as a philosophy of increasingly audacious attack spreads across the Premiership , says Pat Lam.

Bristol's Director of Rugby says the Premiership is “humming” with new-found attacking confidence, as the pendulum swings away from defensive supremacy.

Lam believes the increasingly attacking mindset of DoRs and their half-back generals is behind the carnival of tries that has characterised the start of the new season. And, along with Gloucester boss George Skivington, Lam has identified Saracens as the leaders of the pack in the transition to a brave new world of attacking brio and ambition.

It comes after 56 tries were scored in Round 3 of the Premiership, in a weekend distinguished by spirited fightbacks, rapidfire tries, and attacking flair.

The top three sides in the Premiership after Round 3 – Bristol, Exeter and Leicester – had between them scored an average of 33 points per game, but equally tellingly conceded 25 points per match.

Lam says a new attitude is permeating the Premiership which should reap dividends for a national side traditionally known for a more power-based game.

“Everyone wants to make sure the defence is good and once defence gets on top then any good coaching team is constantly looking at ways to break it – that's just the way the game improves all the time,” Lam told The Rugby Paper. “But I think the biggest thing is attitude, and that's what's really pleasing and that's why the Premiership is humming.

“Sometimes when you go down it forces you to have to come out, and you can see that teams are training around that a lot better.”

Lam, right, picked out Sarries Director of Rugby Mark McCall as one of the key orchestrators of a fearless attacking mindset this campaign, with the north London side twice emerging the victors in back-to-back nail-biters.

“When I saw Saracens play Quins I was seeing changes in what they're doing,” said Lam. “Mark's been there a while and there are some quality players there but there's been a shift and everyone understands the different ways to play.”

Gloucester boss Skivington, whose side was on the receiving end of a Sarries fightback last weekend, agrees. “Saracens played really well against us on that front and particularly against Quins the week before,” he said. “They showed they are really pushing things on and trying to move in that attacking direction. A team of that calibre realising they want to push their game on and change it that much is a positive sign.”

Lam believes the depth of attackminded half-backs, such as his own scrumhalf Harry Randall, in the English game is instrumental in developing the new regime of attacking play.

“Harry's got great competition (for England). The country is blessed with scrum-halves – the experienced Ben Youngs and Danny Care, both on great form, and then you've got all these whipper-snappers that are coming through. It's great for English rugby.

“Look across the Premiership – we came across Will Porter at Wasps who is keeping out Dan Robson, another quality nine. Jack van Poortvliet came through and Alex Mitchell's there. Raffi Quirke too. And there are a lot of attacking 10s in there too. Look at the ones in the spotlight: Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell is playing well now, Biggar, Callum Sheedy's on fire now, AJ (MacGinty), Paddy Jackson.

“The 9-10 combination, which is usually your generals running the game, is a reflection of the coaching staff and what they want. I believe we're seeing a really positive trend in the game.

“The defence coaches are pulling their hair out right now, and at Bristol we need to make sure we're no different and get on top of that as well. It's great for the game – you don't want one area dominating for the whole of the time.”

Skivington welcomed the pushing of attacking boundaries across the Premiership. He said: “Every team has come out wanting to play rugby this season. Most coaches want to challenge themselves to see if they can build the complete game.

“There have been massive breakaway leads and then teams have swung right back into it. I think it's really positive, there's a real emphasis on playing rugby at the moment which is good for the Prem.

“You need good coaches who are willing to push the boundaries a little bit and challenge lads' skillsets and approach to the game.”