Sam Larner
@samlstandsup.bsky.social
Rugby analyst, journalist, coach, but mostly just a fan! Lover of flags and addicted to French rugby, specifically the ProD2. I write for Rugby Pass and Rugby World and dabble in presenting.
On the eve of the big game, a quote for Attacking the Space from a great Kiwi!
It was an absolute pleasure working with Jimmy Gopperth over in Marseille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and it was a delight to get this quote back.
Pre-orders: geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
It was an absolute pleasure working with Jimmy Gopperth over in Marseille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and it was a delight to get this quote back.
Pre-orders: geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
November 14, 2025 at 2:31 PM
On the eve of the big game, a quote for Attacking the Space from a great Kiwi!
It was an absolute pleasure working with Jimmy Gopperth over in Marseille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and it was a delight to get this quote back.
Pre-orders: geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
It was an absolute pleasure working with Jimmy Gopperth over in Marseille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and it was a delight to get this quote back.
Pre-orders: geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
On today's Substack, is it a good idea to move forwards into the backs on a permanent basis?
I'm not so sure but I walk through the pros and cons here.
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
I'm not so sure but I walk through the pros and cons here.
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
November 9, 2025 at 10:27 AM
On today's Substack, is it a good idea to move forwards into the backs on a permanent basis?
I'm not so sure but I walk through the pros and cons here.
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
I'm not so sure but I walk through the pros and cons here.
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
Delighted to announce that when you buy your copy of Attacking the Space you will get a foreword from Mike Prendergast.
Mike has been the person I've learnt most about rugby from and I am delighted that you'll get to see his thoughts about the development of the game.
1)
Mike has been the person I've learnt most about rugby from and I am delighted that you'll get to see his thoughts about the development of the game.
1)
November 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Delighted to announce that when you buy your copy of Attacking the Space you will get a foreword from Mike Prendergast.
Mike has been the person I've learnt most about rugby from and I am delighted that you'll get to see his thoughts about the development of the game.
1)
Mike has been the person I've learnt most about rugby from and I am delighted that you'll get to see his thoughts about the development of the game.
1)
Something different for today!
I spoke with Ben Stevenson of Vannes to breakdown the game for a winger. Why wingers come off their wings, defensive decision making, Ben's worldie of a try against Provence & in this clip we talk pendulums!
samlarner.substack.com/p/pros-eye-view-ben-stevenson
I spoke with Ben Stevenson of Vannes to breakdown the game for a winger. Why wingers come off their wings, defensive decision making, Ben's worldie of a try against Provence & in this clip we talk pendulums!
samlarner.substack.com/p/pros-eye-view-ben-stevenson
November 6, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Something different for today!
I spoke with Ben Stevenson of Vannes to breakdown the game for a winger. Why wingers come off their wings, defensive decision making, Ben's worldie of a try against Provence & in this clip we talk pendulums!
samlarner.substack.com/p/pros-eye-view-ben-stevenson
I spoke with Ben Stevenson of Vannes to breakdown the game for a winger. Why wingers come off their wings, defensive decision making, Ben's worldie of a try against Provence & in this clip we talk pendulums!
samlarner.substack.com/p/pros-eye-view-ben-stevenson
Busy couple of weeks, but the Substack is back with an analytical deep dive into uncapped Scot Alex Masibaka who has come up through Pro D2
With stats from @Oval_Insights
Link: open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
With stats from @Oval_Insights
Link: open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
October 31, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Busy couple of weeks, but the Substack is back with an analytical deep dive into uncapped Scot Alex Masibaka who has come up through Pro D2
With stats from @Oval_Insights
Link: open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
With stats from @Oval_Insights
Link: open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
Do you want to pre-order Attacking the Space? The book that made the best pundit in rugby say this
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Then you can find the link here - geni.us/AttackingThe...
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Then you can find the link here - geni.us/AttackingThe...
October 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Do you want to pre-order Attacking the Space? The book that made the best pundit in rugby say this
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Then you can find the link here - geni.us/AttackingThe...
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Then you can find the link here - geni.us/AttackingThe...
This season really is looking up for the Chiefs. Such a strong team who, if they can steer clear of injury crisis, can make the playoffs.
October 17, 2025 at 12:01 PM
This season really is looking up for the Chiefs. Such a strong team who, if they can steer clear of injury crisis, can make the playoffs.
Do you want to know more about the two growing tactics which are impacting lineouts? This article has you covered!
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
October 13, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Do you want to know more about the two growing tactics which are impacting lineouts? This article has you covered!
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
If you missed my big announcement last month, I have a book out in January.
Jimmy Gopperth described it as:
'A must-read. Sam's detail and understanding of the game will open your eyes'
A pre-order makes a massive difference and you can do it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
Jimmy Gopperth described it as:
'A must-read. Sam's detail and understanding of the game will open your eyes'
A pre-order makes a massive difference and you can do it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
October 6, 2025 at 5:17 PM
If you missed my big announcement last month, I have a book out in January.
Jimmy Gopperth described it as:
'A must-read. Sam's detail and understanding of the game will open your eyes'
A pre-order makes a massive difference and you can do it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
Jimmy Gopperth described it as:
'A must-read. Sam's detail and understanding of the game will open your eyes'
A pre-order makes a massive difference and you can do it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
Rather than looking at this as 15 v 15, the Chiefs have identified early that this all hinges on three defenders and then set about isolating them to create a 2 v 1. If you want to know more about how to watch rugby, have a look at this article!
2.
2.
October 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Rather than looking at this as 15 v 15, the Chiefs have identified early that this all hinges on three defenders and then set about isolating them to create a 2 v 1. If you want to know more about how to watch rugby, have a look at this article!
2.
2.
In today's Substack (samlarner.substack.com) I've gone in-depth on this try and how Exeter counter attacked so well from this kick.
But, more importantly, how they simplified the game down and what we can learn from it.
1)
But, more importantly, how they simplified the game down and what we can learn from it.
1)
October 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
In today's Substack (samlarner.substack.com) I've gone in-depth on this try and how Exeter counter attacked so well from this kick.
But, more importantly, how they simplified the game down and what we can learn from it.
1)
But, more importantly, how they simplified the game down and what we can learn from it.
1)
Before tonight's kick-off, have a look at my article looking at last night's performance from both Gloucester and Sale and how they played with depth which resulted in both positive and negative outcomes.
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
September 26, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Before tonight's kick-off, have a look at my article looking at last night's performance from both Gloucester and Sale and how they played with depth which resulted in both positive and negative outcomes.
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
I created a Breakout XV for this season. I looked to pick a team for the season who played a combined fewer than 5,000 minutes in the Premiership last year. How did I do?
samlarner.substack.com/p/the-breako...
samlarner.substack.com/p/the-breako...
September 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I created a Breakout XV for this season. I looked to pick a team for the season who played a combined fewer than 5,000 minutes in the Premiership last year. How did I do?
samlarner.substack.com/p/the-breako...
samlarner.substack.com/p/the-breako...
Delighted to be sponsoring my team
Didsbury Old Bedians via the book this year. I've always wanted to sponsor a grassroots team and now the opportunity has arisen!
If you want to buy the book ahead of our launch in January. You can get it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
Didsbury Old Bedians via the book this year. I've always wanted to sponsor a grassroots team and now the opportunity has arisen!
If you want to buy the book ahead of our launch in January. You can get it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
September 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Delighted to be sponsoring my team
Didsbury Old Bedians via the book this year. I've always wanted to sponsor a grassroots team and now the opportunity has arisen!
If you want to buy the book ahead of our launch in January. You can get it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
Didsbury Old Bedians via the book this year. I've always wanted to sponsor a grassroots team and now the opportunity has arisen!
If you want to buy the book ahead of our launch in January. You can get it here:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
In a year of massive upheaval, are Gloucester in a better place heading into this season?
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-...
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-...
September 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
In a year of massive upheaval, are Gloucester in a better place heading into this season?
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-...
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-...
That big news I teased yesterday?
I've written a book!
Attacking the Space: Inside Rugby's Tactical and Data Revolution is the book I wanted to read as a rugby obsessive kid. It will be released on the 29th January 2026, the pre-order link is:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
I've written a book!
Attacking the Space: Inside Rugby's Tactical and Data Revolution is the book I wanted to read as a rugby obsessive kid. It will be released on the 29th January 2026, the pre-order link is:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
September 11, 2025 at 10:13 AM
That big news I teased yesterday?
I've written a book!
Attacking the Space: Inside Rugby's Tactical and Data Revolution is the book I wanted to read as a rugby obsessive kid. It will be released on the 29th January 2026, the pre-order link is:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
I've written a book!
Attacking the Space: Inside Rugby's Tactical and Data Revolution is the book I wanted to read as a rugby obsessive kid. It will be released on the 29th January 2026, the pre-order link is:
geni.us/AttackingThe...
1)
The latest Substack looks at Cardiff's off-season and asks whether, in Welsh rugby, staying still is the same as moving forward. Have a read below:
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-ca…
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-ca…
September 10, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The latest Substack looks at Cardiff's off-season and asks whether, in Welsh rugby, staying still is the same as moving forward. Have a read below:
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-ca…
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-ca…
Today's SubStack is all about Wandering Wingers.
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tacti…
Things have been busy of late as I'm also working on the women's World Cup but I'm hoping to be back to regular scheduled viewing next week!
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tacti…
Things have been busy of late as I'm also working on the women's World Cup but I'm hoping to be back to regular scheduled viewing next week!
September 3, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Today's SubStack is all about Wandering Wingers.
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tacti…
Things have been busy of late as I'm also working on the women's World Cup but I'm hoping to be back to regular scheduled viewing next week!
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tacti…
Things have been busy of late as I'm also working on the women's World Cup but I'm hoping to be back to regular scheduled viewing next week!
Today's Substack is about the Exeter Chiefs and how they are set going into this season.
Towards the end, I make a bold out of character prediction that I cannot justify via the data....
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
Towards the end, I make a bold out of character prediction that I cannot justify via the data....
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
August 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Today's Substack is about the Exeter Chiefs and how they are set going into this season.
Towards the end, I make a bold out of character prediction that I cannot justify via the data....
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
Towards the end, I make a bold out of character prediction that I cannot justify via the data....
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
Busy week for the Substack!
This article is part of the regular Friday Tactics series. The question is whether you should kick to touch from your own 22 or keep the ball in play.
It turns out not all teams are the same...
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
This article is part of the regular Friday Tactics series. The question is whether you should kick to touch from your own 22 or keep the ball in play.
It turns out not all teams are the same...
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
August 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Busy week for the Substack!
This article is part of the regular Friday Tactics series. The question is whether you should kick to touch from your own 22 or keep the ball in play.
It turns out not all teams are the same...
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
This article is part of the regular Friday Tactics series. The question is whether you should kick to touch from your own 22 or keep the ball in play.
It turns out not all teams are the same...
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
An emergency Substack on what I would do if given the reigns at Newcastle, what I reckon they will do, and who I wouldn't sign...
t.co/Yg1YEcE8fo
t.co/Yg1YEcE8fo
August 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
An emergency Substack on what I would do if given the reigns at Newcastle, what I reckon they will do, and who I wouldn't sign...
t.co/Yg1YEcE8fo
t.co/Yg1YEcE8fo
Today on the Substack, I take a look at the Dragons' recruitment this year. Some positivity but a lot of questions around a recruitment process that isn't new.
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-dr…
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-dr…
August 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Today on the Substack, I take a look at the Dragons' recruitment this year. Some positivity but a lot of questions around a recruitment process that isn't new.
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-dr…
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-dr…
On the Substack today is a deep dive into the growing trend of scrum-halfs carrying and passing off the back of the scrum. Something which doubled in prevalence from 2023-24 to 2024-25.
My aim is to do an analysis article like this for each Friday!
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
My aim is to do an analysis article like this for each Friday!
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
August 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
On the Substack today is a deep dive into the growing trend of scrum-halfs carrying and passing off the back of the scrum. Something which doubled in prevalence from 2023-24 to 2024-25.
My aim is to do an analysis article like this for each Friday!
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
My aim is to do an analysis article like this for each Friday!
samlarner.substack.com/p/friday-tac...
Today on the Substack I'm looking at the Ospreys and how they are fairing up after this off-season where two club legends have departed.
What do you reckon Ospreys' fans?
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-os…
What do you reckon Ospreys' fans?
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-os…
August 6, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Today on the Substack I'm looking at the Ospreys and how they are fairing up after this off-season where two club legends have departed.
What do you reckon Ospreys' fans?
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-os…
What do you reckon Ospreys' fans?
samlarner.substack.com/p/analysing-os…
My latest Substack (samlarner.substack.com) is all about the Quins' recruitment this off-season. Was it hit or miss?
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
August 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
My latest Substack (samlarner.substack.com) is all about the Quins' recruitment this off-season. Was it hit or miss?
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...
open.substack.com/pub/samlarne...