1. In set piece practices, use a supplementary event after the set piece. For instance, a ruck after a scrum, a maul after a lineout or some channel passing after either.

2. Set out clear roles after a set piece. Often referred to as a "pod system", split the forwards into groups who are expected to go to certain places on the field. For instance, 1,2,4,7 first ruck from scrum, 3, 5, 6, 8 next ruck.

3. Use sequences of play. Map out how you want the moves to go from a set piece and make sure the forwards know where they have to run to. If this sequence breaks down, the forwards need to have a new plan for what happens next.

4. Shorten routes and find shortcuts. Support play is about arrive quickly and in the right direction. Feedback and review game footage or game situations to help forwards work out how they can get into position quicker. Shortcuts are the preserve of players who use anticipation and scanning  - admittedly very good players, but not beyond the wit of others.

5. L shapes not J shapes. In the southern hemisphere they say the support line of a forward should be an "L" shape, where he cuts sharply in behind the ball carrier, rather a more laboured "J" shape.

gettingthere

gettingthere.

He will use some footwork before contact (or for some jargon: ABC - agility before contact) to make sure he does not hit the defender full on.

The player who has just passed the ball runs an "L" shape to be in support. That means he tracks in behind and cuts sharply towards the ball carrier. A "J" shape is less aggressive and does not turn the support player quickly enough.

A ball carrier can also run an "L" shape, with a sharp cut.