Tactics 5-1-2-2 Rugby Rules

alexdunnesf · February 3

Hello Vibers - long time reader, first time stander upper here.

I enjoy the idea of crossover tactics inspired by other sports and trying to make them viable in game and, after a few different experiments across some teams at all levels (Lyon, Clermont, Wexford, Deportivo), and experimenting with tactics based on basketball and Gaelic football - I think I've stumbled upon the magnum opus. I give you, the Rugby Rules.

Now, the first thing you will notice if you are familiar with the day one squad of Swansea City, is I have used the editor for some player positions. My justification: I have not edited any stats or anything else with the players, and it is my opinion that most professional players should be at the light green level minimum at nearly every position. I've just seen James McClean make his second debut for Derry last weekend at holding mid for crying out loud. As long as they have the right stats, and you're not changing anything else (and, scouts honour, I haven't) I'm deeming that acceptable.

ANYWAY. The tactic. I chose Swansea for a couple of reasons: 1) They're about mid-table in the Championship, so reaching the upper echelons isn't impossible but would still qualify as an overperformance to me, and 2) They might be losing the Ospreys soon, so given the inspiration I felt this an appropriate tribute. (Edit: My only two signings, both on free transfers, are Renan Lodi and Dan Potts. Otherwise it is the day one squad.)

The tactic itself pulls inspiration from a few places, including @Collin Samuel's 3-2-2-1-2, @Footyman's Danish Tactic, and @adnarim's Super 3-5-2, as well as @searob's 3-2-1-2-2 from FM24, and the great-but-bonkers double libero work of Stinger for the big brother game. I am 15 games into the league season, and while it is not perfect (and I would never claim it to me, nor really do I want it to be) this is so much fun to play with. Players rotate around constantly, with so much fluidity in a narrow space. In a sense, it becomes very relational, while always looking to, essentially, offload to runners off the shoulder coming forward - the rugby rules.

Each player role maps to a rugby role (except the goalkeeper, though I suppose he's the fullback in a sense of being the last line):

BPD - The lock. The big man. The physical pivot of the whole team, that keeps everything ticking over. Ball playing centre backs or big #6s are needed here. Key stats: Aerial, Strength, Decisions, Passing, Positioning.

IFB - The front row. Definitely more Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong before the injuries is the thinking here. Big lads that can shift. No one is getting past them, and they'll push themselves over the gain line when needed. Will tuck in to form the back three with the Lock when the Flankers step up. Centre backs that can play wide, or are just quick, are ideal here. Key stats: Aerial, Pace, Positioning, Stamina, Strength, Tackling.

L - The flankers. The locomotion engines of the team. They have to be everywhere; supporting the back line, winning the dirty ball in the scrum of midfield, always offering a simple pass, and occasionally being the man to finish. Box-to-box players that can play deeper or old school fullbacks that are good passers suit here very well. Key stats: Decisions, Pace, Passing, Stamina, Tackling, Teamwork.

RP - The halfback (scrum half/fly half). The attack goes through them. They dictate the tempo like a scrum half, and play the killer ball like a fly half. A decent boot from range is helpful too. Key stats: Creativity, Passing, Stamina, Decisions, Technique.

SS - The centres. These lads hit the lines hard, looking to break past the defenders using their physicality and take advantage of any space available thanks to the RP, Ls, and IFs buzzing around. One expects they will naturally also be your top scorers (thus far, Adam Idah is mine from this position with 6, albeit the scoring is fairly evenly spread). Any Kai Havertz types are the dream here. Key stats: Pace, Movement, Decisions, Dribbling, Passing, Shooting, Strength.

IF - The wingers. The out balls, the go men, occasionally the finishers but usually the setup guys either via cutbacks or just dragging defenders away. Very attacking wingback or hard-working winger profiles work best here. (Edit: left footers on the left and right footers on the right also seem to work best). Key stats: Pace, Crossing, Dribbling, Technique, Stamina, Shooting, Teamwork.

Hopefully this is a transferrable tactic, and isn't just a one off for me. I've attached a corner routine below too that seems to work for me. Any testing or usage is appreciated, and I will keep you up to date on my Swansea progress too, cheers!