X-Book

Attacking the Space

Click Buy to Log in and see personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2026

'Illuminating' Eddie Jones
'Fantastic, a must-read for rugby fans' Ben Youngs
'Essential reading... reveals rugby's secrets' Financial Times
'Well written, insightful and thought-provoking' The Guardian
'Quite literally, the book on data in rugby' Irish Times

______________________________

Does it matter which foot your fly-half kicks with? How can teams win matches when the clock stops? Why don't wingers actually play on the wing? Does having more possession increase a team's chances of winning?

Leading data analyst Sam Larner lifts the lid on international rugby, using his decade of experience at the professional level to reveal the tactical and data revolution that has taken the sport by storm. Sharing ground-breaking insight into the modern game, Sam explores the exciting innovations players and clubs are currently using to improve their gameplay. He analyses the metrics by which teams succeed and fail in their attempts to win metres, tries and matches, as well as why recent law changes are so important for rugby's development and what a data-driven future holds for the sport.

With each chapter focusing on a different match, such as France facing the All Blacks in 2023 and Wales' remarkable comeback against England at the 2008 Six Nations, Attacking the Space is revolutionary in its approach as the first book to tackle rugby's new obsession with data and tactics. It takes readers on a fascinating tour of modern rugby to offer a twenty-first century overview of one of the world's most exciting sports. This is rugby as you've never seen it before.

Critics Review

The game of rugby has changed. Scrums take longer, we no longer ruck, and 9s put the ball into the second row. But it's still as intoxicating as ever. Attacking the Space is an illuminating description of how this has happened and where we go next.
Eddie Jones, Australian Rugby Coach
It's not just that Sam is a rugby expert. It's that he can explain the game to fans, both new and old, in a way very few can. This is a brilliantly insightful read for anyone interested in rugby.
Paul Williams, author of Rugby Has F***ing Laws, Not Rules & Rugby Was F***ing Better When...
If you love rugby and always wonder why players/teams are playing certain ways, then this is a must read. Sam's detail and understanding of the game will open your eyes to see how we as professional players play the game.
Jimmy Gopperth, New Zealand Rugby Player
Sam is one of the brightest minds in rugby, and it's no surprise that he has produced this invaluable book - a brilliant resources for anyone interested in rugby at the highest level.
Bernard Jackman, Irish former rugby union player
Fantastic insight into how the game has evolved, a must-read for rugby fans.
Ben Youngs, former England rugby player
A compelling new book... examines the type of processes which will go into players like regular wing Tommy Freeman and dynamic newcomer Noah Caluori
Metro
'[Larner] has a brain the size of a planet... [Attacking the Space] is well written, insightful and thought-provoking... Yorkshire-based Larner is a child of the digital generation. He loves data and knows the value of a box kick to the nearest decimal point... Very interesting.'
Robert Kitson, The Guardian
Attacking the Space is part of a trend aiming to satisfy sports fans' demand for more rigorous, statistical pundity. It's also the first book from a major publishing house to explore data in rugby... it is a book for those who want to understand what really happens on the pitch. Ahead of the Six Nations, it is also essential reading... Larner's book reveals rugby's secrets, and distils why the sport has never been better.
Daniel Rey, Financial Times
Sam Larner has, quite literally, written the book on data in rugby.
The Irish Times, Counter Ruck Podcast
Author Sam Larner
Narrator Jot Davies
Duration 12 hours and 54 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781399625135
Format Audiobook
Publisher Orion
Genre Data science and analysis: general, Rugby League, Rugby Union
Availability AU, GB, IE, US

More from the same

Narrator

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.