The 2-8 Switch

Starting position

A lineout, and a set play that rests on two players. The throw goes in, the 4 jumps and takes it cleanly. So far, nothing unusual. Except the hooker did not stay on his touchline: the moment the ball left his hands he stepped into the field, and it is to him that the ball comes back. The 8 then arrives on a switch line, takes the ball off the 2 — and instead of carrying on outside the way the whole defence expects, he cuts back inside. The hole is right there, exactly where the curtain has just slid across. There is nobody left in front of him. He runs the length of the field and scores. No elaborate decoy, no triple movement: two players, one switch, one step against the grain. Simple, clean, and unstoppable once it is away.