Exclusive: The secrets behind Northampton’s potent attack

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Northampton Saints attack coach Sam Vesty

Following Northampton Saints’ excellent start to the campaign, features writer James While caught up with highly-rated coach Sam Vesty, who discussed the team’s attacking philosophy.

Chris Boyd, with the insightful help of Vesty, has produced a compelling game plan with decision-making, speed and responsibility at the core of their mantra.

Indeed, the high-flying Saints have taken the Premiership by storm this season and continue to attract admirers for their attacking ambition with ball in hand.

It’s a healthy situation and Planet Rugby caught up with Vesty for a chat prior to their crucial Champions Cup fixture against PRO14 side Leinster this weekend.

“Rugby, played well, is a simple game,” he explained. “However, it’s one that relies upon a combination of elements, but what sets the best aside is the ability to make the right decisions.

“Everything we are doing at Saints is about empowering players to make those decisions on the pitch, creating a highly skilled intelligent squad of players – ready to attack and actively looking for space.

“There are three elements to this: decision, execution and outcome. When you’re actively encouraging players to make these fine decisions, the outcome, positive or negative, is defined by the execution – if the outcome is wrong, it can be that the decision is correct but the execution was poor. If that’s the case, we work on skill and execution. If the decision is wrong, then we examine the decision-making process and prepare players better.

“It’s all about creating those outcome gains through the right decision at the right time with the right skills.”

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When put in these terms, the humility and culture in the club is clear; it’s one based upon empowerment and collective thinking rather than any big names. Indeed, whilst marquee signings have injected an X-factor into their squad in several positions, there’s also been a healthy amount of academy talents, such as Rory Hutchinson, on the rise which is putting bums on seats.

“We focus on the click plays,” Vesty continued when discussing their attractive style. “Moments that we know we can disrupt or turnover and have 15 players all on the same page looking to lead that decision, execution and outcome process.

“That leadership is essential. We want the players to become as self-sufficient as possible – as soon as Thursday morning comes around, that’s the players’ domain. Lead the sessions, lead the plays on the pitch and they appear to be revelling in it.”

With a massive clash ahead of them in Dublin, Northampton’s Premiership dominance was derailed a little last weekend by the Leinstermen. As they approach the turnaround point in Pool 1, the need to respond to the defeat a week ago is clear. Vesty is an admirer of the Irish side but he maintains common sense when looking forward to the weekend clash.

He added: “Look, there was clearly a step-up last weekend in terms of intensity, collision and power, no question about that. Leinster’s D is incredibly destructive and well organised and we created pressure on ourselves through bad ball retention and self-induced errors. In short, we have to be a lot more accurate at this level and give them nothing cheap.

“We need to get more width on the ball quicker and stretch that defence across the pitch; to return to my point earlier, accuracy driven by executing the right decisions.

“As individuals, many of our players have faced these levels on the international stage so we are confident they can cope and come good. What we’d not done is experienced this in the current group we have as a team, and there’s a subtle difference there.

“We need to focus on this game and get points out of it, no doubt. We don’t want to leave ourselves everything to do away at Lyon in the last round and we’ll go to Dublin with immense focus on getting something out of the fixture.”

Sage words indeed from Vesty and, with Saints’ ability to learn and play compelling pacey rugby, there’s no doubt this weekend will be a clash of rugby titans.

By James While

Features