The question all coaches will be trying to answer at the Rugby World Cup is how to deal with line speed in defence. The growing trend is to use a second playmaker in the wider channels.
New Zealand moved Beauden Barrett to full back during the Rugby Championship and will start him there against South Africa, while Australia have brought back James O’Connor to play at outside centre.
That allows teams to try to manufacture openings on the edge of the defensive line, where players are rushing to try to get man and ball, creating a dog-leg that can be exploited with a short inside pass.
If I were England, I would look to adopt a move that Exeter Chiefs performed with great effect last
