Sam Larner

It's been announced that Ben Whitehouse has moved to the WRU as a specialist coach and ended his refereeing career. I talk about that modern trend in a section called Gamekeeper Turned Coacher in Attacking the Space, it might be my favourite pun. Get your copy to see!

Reminder, you have until tomorrow at 15.05 to get your guesses in for the total number of 22-entries we'll see this weekend in the Prem. Closest wins a signed copy of Attacking the Space!

Get your guesses in before the first game on Saturday at 15.05! Free signed copy of Attacking the Space to be won

Delighted to be back on duty with the i! As the new Prem season begins I looked at the big questions from each club. Can Saints keep up this run without a solid defence? Will Venter's return come with more brilliant tactical creations? inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

With the new season upon us, a reminder that you can get your copy of Attacking the Space online at Amazon or Waterstones or in all good bookshops. If there's anything you ever wanted to know about rugby, chances are it's covered in here!

In the second part of my Champ recruitment post I look at who is looking strong with the season just over a month away. Plus, who needs to make some signings in this last five weeks. samlarner.substack.com/p/ranking-ch...

In today's Substack I looked at how recruitment has gone for seven of the Champ Rugby teams (the rest will follow next week). The Champ is growing and is exclusively available on Clubber rugby. Have a look at the new arrivals to get set for the season. samlarner.substack.com/p/ranking-ch...

For today's Substack I asked whether Pollock is really worth £1 million and the mechanism for how we might get paid that amount. samlarner.substack.com/p/is-pollock...

I can't believe it's taken me this long to get around to buying this. Very excited. @samlstandsup.bsky.social

Crazy to see this! Attacking the Space was chosen as one of the books of the summer by non other than @simonkuper.bsky.social whose book Soccernomics was one of the most important things I've ever read. If you haven't got your copy of AtS yet then you can find it at your local bookshop.

Crazy to see this! Attacking the Space was chosen as one of the books of the summer by non other than @simonkuper.bsky.social whose book Soccernomics was one of the most important things I've ever read. If you haven't got your copy of AtS yet then you can find it at your local bookshop.

Surreal day to finally get a copy of the French version of Attacking the Space. Should give me the impetus to learn French now....

Have a look at my latest article for @TheiPaperSport where I look at how England got lighter and quicker but still won the physical battle against Fiji. Is this a blueprint they can use against bigger and better sides? inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

If you haven't seen the latest Substack, I have written about how consistent players are at producing output versus who falls back a year later. Plus, at what age do people fall back? samlarner.substack.com/p/how-the-el...

England's issue is they can't win when they're not physically dominant at the moment. With that in mind, are some of their selections luxuries they can't afford? inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Catch me and a host of guests at Gibraltar 7s only on YouTube over the next three days starting in 10 Minutes!! www.youtube.com/live/p-Dce_4...

In the i this week I look at the axis of creativity at the heart of the Saints attack and the 80 actions which unbuttoned the Chiefs' defence. Just my second article for a major paper so likes and shares greatly received! inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

For all my French fans....it's finally here!! Get your copy in all good book shops and online. Pour tous mes fans français… le voici enfin ! Procurez-vous votre exemplaire dans toutes les bonnes librairies et en ligne.

Father's day ahoy! If you have a rugby loving dad, what better gift than Attacking the Space? Available in the UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Plus it looks beautiful....

This was a joy!! Love doing this podcast with Brett.

I made my i Paper debut today!! Have a look at my article where I explain why, despite all the recent success they've experienced, England are right not to play entirely like Northampton Saints... inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

A reminder that you can still get Attacking the Space wherever you buy your books!! In the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. If you've already brought it and you feel it's worth 5 Stars, it would mean an enormous amount if you'd leave a review on Amazon!

On Saturday I'll be on commentary for the massive @Champrugby play-off game between @WorcsWarriors and @ChinnorRFCThame. I'll be speaking with a member of the Warriors' S&C team about the demands of the game and asking listener questions. So what have you always wanted to know?

In this week's Substack I looked at whether the presence of Promotion/Relegation impacted the number of Blowout results we see at this stage of the season... samlarner.substack.com/p/promotion-...

This week's Substack takes a data deep dive into why the Chiefs and Saints have improved from last year while Gloucester and Quins have slid in the other direction samlarner.substack.com/p/the-only-w...

Just because it's not shortlisted, make sure you don't miss out! In all good bookshops.

Attacking the Space is available on Amazon for just £16.38 until 4th May while stocks last! Get your copy now before they go!!

In today's Substack I look at how Henry Pollock is used by England and how it differs to how Northampton use him. Then I look at whether one side uses him better than the other..... samlarner.substack.com/p/the-two-fa...

Today on the Substack I spoke with legend of the game Matt Kvesic to discuss the new demands of modern forwards in attack. Plenty in here for anyone who wants to improve their game; old or young! samlarner.substack.com/p/pros-eye-v...

Very enjoyable game in Northampton tonight. Castres started strong then pegged back by yellow cards. Saints could've scored more chances but looks like it'll be a 1pt gap in favour of the French at half time.

In today's Substack I look at how running sideways across the pitch went from something you were told not to do as kids to something powering attacks in the modern game. samlarner.substack.com/p/ahead-of-t...

Things that are bad for you to put in your ears: cotton swabs, ear candles, Sam's physical book. Thing that is good for you to put in your ears: Sam's audiobook (pure rugby analytics audio gold).

Did you know!? You can also buy Attacking the Space on both Spotify and Audible if you'd prefer to listen to it on audiobook. I can confirm, it's read absolutely brilliantly by Jot Davies. Just search "Attacking the Space" where you get your audiobooks

Thanks to @samlstandsup.bsky.social for chatting with me about his new book Whether you're a dedicated #rugby fan or tune in and out depending on the time of year this good has got something for you to help understand what's happening under the surface of the game shows.acast.com/5e5fba8e4847...

This week, I took a look at what Wales have turned around from Rounds 1 & 2 of the Six Nations to their much improved defensive improvements in 3 & 4. Lots of underlying stats which highlight just how much better things have become. samlarner.substack.com/p/things-can...

Win a signed copy of Attacking the Space!! Predict the combined 22 entries of all six teams in this round of the 6Ns. Closest wins. If you retweet you get two goes... Must be UK based!

World Rugby this week published the findings of their recent State of the Game conference, dissecting the game's laws and how to grow it. To do the same, we welcomed in rugby analyst, author and finger breaker @samlstandsup.bsky.social to have a chat... youtu.be/KiUiiKwwiWU

In today's Substack we look at the French Back Row. They don't punch massive holes, so if they don't do that do they fail in their roles as modern back rowers? samlarner.substack.com/p/hole-punch...

🚨New Pod!🚨 Epic to be joined this weekend by @samlstandsup.bsky.social Discussing everything from France's kicking game, to backrow balance and the best restaurants in Annecy! + the lowdown on Rob's trip to Lille, from Belgian beers to sneaky hospitality... 🎧👇 linktr.ee/rosbifsrugby

In today's Substack I look at why England aren't firing in the opposition 22 at this Six Nations... samlarner.substack.com/p/the-final-...

This week's Jouez: The French Rugby Dispatch A chat with Lyon prop Jérôme Rey, a beef and pig farmer, with France's annual agricultural show starting on Saturday #SIA2026 open.substack.com/pub/illtudda...

Really enjoying @samlstandsup.bsky.social book “Attacking the Space”. If you’re interested in rugby and why it’s played the way it is, it’s a must read.

Just arrived, @samlstandsup.bsky.social's masterpiece on falling in love with kicking, numbers, and all other things. PS. Chuffed to be a member of the #Bajad8ta group!