Former England scrum-half Ben Youngs recently expressed his disbelief at the performance of Wales’ attack during their match against France, a game in which Wales suffered a 43-0 defeat. The humbling loss has raised questions about Warren Gatland’s coaching tactics as Wales now find themselves without a win in 13 consecutive Test matches.
Youngs, who co-hosts the For the Love of Rugby podcast with England prop Dan Cole, criticised Wales’ attack for being too predictable and lacking creativity. He highlighted the structured nature of Wales’ gameplay, pointing out the repetitive patterns in their offensive strategy. According to Youngs, Wales heavily relied on specific set plays involving certain forwards and a fixed passing sequence that became easily read by the French defence.
The lack of impactful ball carriers in the Welsh squad was a key issue highlighted by Youngs, who emphasised the importance of varying attacking patterns and incorporating quick, short passes to break through defences effectively. He suggested that Wales should focus on tighter formations with quick interchanges to create more dynamic attacking opportunities, especially when facing formidable opponents like France.
Youngs also emphasised the need for adaptability in gameplay, especially when up against strong defensive teams. He recommended exploiting opportunities on the short sides of the field and diversifying attacking options to keep opposition defences guessing and under pressure. By incorporating more intricate passing sequences and varying their attacking angles, Wales could potentially improve their offensive capabilities and results on the field.
The critique from Youngs sheds light on the challenges facing Wales as they strive to improve their performance in future matches. With the Six Nations tournament well underway, Gatland and his coaching staff may need to reassess their attacking strategies and consider making tactical adjustments to address the identified shortcomings in their gameplay. As Wales aim to bounce back from their recent defeat and secure positive results, the insights provided by Youngs could prove valuable in shaping their approach moving forward.