{"id":44805,"date":"2023-12-20T09:17:16","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T09:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-us\/?p=44805"},"modified":"2025-10-31T10:22:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T10:22:39","slug":"history-meets-innovation-off-pitch-legacy-and-on-pitch-strategy-in-the-urc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elixirr.com\/en-us\/history-meets-innovation-off-pitch-legacy-and-on-pitch-strategy-in-the-urc\/","title":{"rendered":"History meets innovation: off-pitch legacy and on-pitch strategy in the URC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As part of our role as the official data and consulting partner of the United Rugby Championship<\/a> (URC), our team are getting together with Oval Insights, over the coming season, to break down some of the most exciting trends in the competition. Because we recognize the power of data insights on the pitch as well as in the boardroom\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the 23rd of November 1872, two sides from the districts of Glasgow and Edinburgh met at Burnbank Park to play out the first official rugby match between Scotland\u2019s two largest cities. It\u2019s unlikely that the attendees and players of that day knew that they were kicking off one of the oldest inter-district games in world rugby, but 151 years later this weekend, Edinburgh and Glasgow will be competing once again for the 1872 Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The sport of rugby has changed significantly since that day at Burbank Park; for starters, instead of 20-man teams, rugby teams consist of 15 players (and have been that way since 1877). Since the 19th century, the game of rugby has changed significantly \u2013 innovations on and off the pitch have been constant, and this has enabled the development of many of world rugby\u2019s finest talents and teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The URC can boast an intriguing combination of both history and innovation. As a league featuring many of the world\u2019s oldest club rugby teams, each steeped in its own history, the inclusion of both Northern and Southern Hemisphere sides has proven a unique melting pot of different playing styles. In particular, the last few years have seen the translation of the dynamic attacking philosophies from the Southern Hemisphere into the Northern Hemisphere teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wanted to see exactly how these clubs have looked to remain innovative on the pitch, and how they have responded to the influx of attacking rugby and intricate, expansive gameplay. Equally, for teams where success has been constant (such as with Leinster), we explored whether their consistency has been enabled by innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glasgow Warriors: Attacking re-invention  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That first Glasgow-Edinburgh game was reportedly won by Edinburgh, 3-0, courtesy of a lone drop-goal. Whilst scores such as these are still possible (especially under Borthwick\u2019s England tenure), rugby has evolved since then into the more free-running and high-scoring version of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This evolution has become increasingly apparent for both the Caledonian sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Glasgow have seen perhaps the most significant year-on-year improvement and are now scoring at almost double the rate per game than they did in 2019. Glasgow have developed a dynamic and attacking style of play that utilizes quick rucks, offloads, and expansive back play to stretch the opposing defenses and keep the scoreboard ticking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their hiring of Franco Smith for the \u201922-23 season has quickly proven to be an inspired decision. In his debut season, he went on to guide Glasgow to a 4th-place finish in the URC table, an appearance in the European Challenge Cup final, and victory in the 1872 Cup. These successes were rewarded with Smith receiving URC coach of the year at the end of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This season Glasgow have continued to impress on the pitch and currently sit in second place in the table. As of round 8, they have scored 32 tries, averaging just under 30 points a game whilst only shipping 16 tries so far this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edinburgh Rugby: The importance of defense<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Edinburgh too have increased their average score rate, though not to the same extent as their Glaswegian rivals. Buoyed by performances of back-three Emiliano Boffelli, Darcy Graham, and Duhan van der Merwe, Edinburgh have adopted a similar attacking approach, centered in the free-flowing style of play seen in the Southern Hemisphere game and in using penalties and drop goals to keep the scoreboard ticking. This season so far, Edinburgh have attempted six drop-goals and 16 penalty kicks \u2013 both significantly higher than their Glaswegian counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following his announcement as the new head coach of Edinburgh, former Sharks boss Sean Everitt, made clear his desire to maintain and improve this stating that \u201cthe philosophy of Edinburgh Rugby is similar to mine. I enjoy their attacking style. I\u2019m an attack-minded coach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite his respect for the \u2018Edinburgh-style\u2019, Everitt will be hoping that he can emulate their Glaswegian rivals closer by installing an expansive style of play without sacrificing their defensive security. Last season, Edinburgh\u2019s average points scored and average points conceded were practically the same (roughly 26). Meanwhile, Glasgow managed to up their average points from roughly 21 to 26, whilst limiting their concessions to 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leinster: Consistency, but change is coming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Few teams in club rugby can boast the history, prestige, and depth of talent that Leinster do. Founded in 1879, Leinster have won four European champions cups and eight domestic titles since the turn of the century, helping the provincial side confirm its status as a powerhouse of club rugby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst the Leinster teams of yore were renowned for their hard-as-nail pack and destructive midfield duo of Gordon D\u2019Arcy and Brian O\u2019Driscoll, this Leinster team have collated a game-changing back line that is the envy of many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an assortment of international talent, including Irish internationals Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, and Hugo Keenan, Leinster have become one of the best proponents of free-ranging attacking rugby. Last season they scored an incredible 91 tries across only 20 games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Glasgow and Edinburgh, Leinster\u2019s average points scored has increased since 2019 \u2013 albeit not at the same dramatic rate. While they too have increased the average number of points shipped per game, this has also tended to match their average point scored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many of the most successful teams (and companies), ultimately what Leinster\u2019s performances since 2019 have shown is consistency. This makes this off-season\u2019s two huge changes (the retirement of Johnny Sexton and the appointment of Jacques Nienaber) even more intriguing. The appointment of World Cup-winning head coach Jacques Nienaber as their new senior coach is perhaps the most crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nienaber\u2019s defensive-minded focus contrasts significantly to the attacking-focussed playbook of the roles of previous incumbent Stuart Lancaster. Whilst it is still too early to assess the impact of this shift on the performances on the pitch, Leinster\u2019s increased focus on an aggressive, fast-up defense mirrors that of the newly (re)-crowned world-cup champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is hard to quantify how the loss of the talismanic Sexton will be felt across the Leinster team. The retirement of their record point scorer earlier this season has removed a staple from the team sheet, with Ross Byrne taking the reigns as flyhalf and goal kicker for the provincial side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps surprisingly, so far this season we can see no significant drop-off in kicking performance from the Irish side (roughly 78% success rate, compared to 77% the year before). This bodes well for Leinster, who will be looking to adapt quickly to these changes and return to the heights of success that their fans and players expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vodacom Bulls: Starting at pace<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, looking at the statistics from the first seven games of this season, we can already see some intriguing developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of particular note, the Vodacom Bulls have been scoring at an incredible rate, averaging 39 points and scoring 37 tries so far this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having kicked off the season with a 63 \u2013 21 victory over the Scarlets, the Bull\u2019s 37 tries scored and +118 point differential is currently the best in the URC. Losses to Edinburgh and Ulster have left them sitting behind Leinster and 3rd overall in the table. Should this rate of scoring keep up, not only will URC records be at risk, but March\u2019s Leinster vs Bulls clash will take on even more significance. Late last season, the Bulls handed Leinster their heaviest-ever URC defeat (62-7) and it would appear that their high-scoring form has continued into the \u201923-\u201924 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s fair to say that the attendees and players of 1872 would hardly recognize the sport of rugby as it is played today. The evolution of a dynamic, free-flowing game can be seen week in and week out in the URC. Teams such as Glasgow and Edinburgh have innovated their attacking philosophies to encourage a high-scoring, attacking focus \u2013 although as Edinburgh discovered last season, you cannot sacrifice defensive security to do this. Consistently, successful teams, such as Leinster, are also having to innovate their playing styles to respond to key personnel changes on the pitch and the sidelines. The speed at which they can adapt and implement this will be crucial to their success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the best teams not only respond to wider changes in playing styles but also help to shape the future of rugby themselves. Glasgow have successfully redefined their playing philosophy, and their Caledonian rivals are now having to respond in kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let the heritage and historic rivalries fool you \u2013 innovation is a constant in the URC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover more:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As part of our role as the official data and consulting partner of the United Rugby Championship (URC), our team are getting together with Oval Insights, over the coming season, to break…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":44830,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[102,273],"related_service":[339],"related_industry":[356],"class_list":["post-44805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-innovation","tag-sport"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHistory meets innovation: off-pitch legacy and on-pitch strategy in the URC - Elixirr - USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Don\u2019t let the heritage and historic rivalries fool you \u2013 innovation is a constant in the URC, read to find out how.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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off-pitch legacy and on-pitch strategy in the URC\n <\/h2>\n <\/a> <div class=\"wp-component-card__description\">\n As part of our role as the official data and consulting partner of the United Rugby Championship (URC), our team are getting together with Oval Insights, over the coming season, to break… <\/div>\n <div class=\"wp-component-card__meta\">\n <p class=\"wp-component-card__date\">\n 20 December 2023 <\/p>\n <div class=\"wp-component-card__terms\">\n <div class=\"wp-component-tags edwp-component\">\n <div class=\"wp-component-tags__tag\">\n Sports <\/div>\n <div class=\"wp-component-tags__tag\">\n Data & Analytics <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"wp-component-card__button-wrapper\">\n <button class=\"btn btn--link arrow wp-component-card__button\">\n Read more <span class='edwp-svg '><svg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g id=\"Lg\">\n<path id=\"Vector\" d=\"M1.12509 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