Understanding Lineouts

How do lineouts work with Joe Walsh of the Cornish Pirates.

Here’s for something a little different. Joe Walsh is a brilliant young coach working down at Cornish Pirates as their Forwards and Defence coach since last season. Joe is an analyst and coach with a host of diverse experience and a brilliant ability to understand the game and then simplify it down. For this post I set Joe a challenge, I sent him four clips with a brief prompt and asked him just to speak about the lineout. I’m sure you’ll agree that there’s a lot to learn from what Joe has shared.

Joe provided four audio responses and I have provided them in their entirety.

1. Just five lineouts in the 2024-25 season took place with fewer than five participants in the opposition 22. Why?

2. Why do teams use lineouts with eight or more players in? Lineouts which require backs to be involved?

3. When lineouts go wrong, who is responsible and how can you tell?

4. Is it better to be quickly in and out of a lineout or take your time?

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