Performance Analysis in Rugby Union: a Critical Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Performance Analysis
• Rugby Union Studies

Background:

• Performance analysis is crucial in rugby union coaching.
• Current research has advanced data collection but lacks clarity on insight utility.
• The review examines the state of performance analysis in professional rugby union.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current performance analysis research in professional rugby union.
• To evaluate the utility of common performance analysis methods.
• To assess the applicability of these methods in professional coaching.

Main Methods:

• Searched SPORTDiscus database (1997-2019) for relevant studies.
• Included professional, male 15-a-side rugby union studies on tactical/performance evaluation and time-motion analysis.
• Categorized studies by focus and reviewed factors like context, opposition, competition, and sample size.

Main Results:

• Forty-one studies met inclusion criteria, mostly using performance indicators.
• Many studies lacked contextual data (field/match location, opposition).
• Twenty-nine indicators correlated with success, but only eight were common; few used dynamical systems approaches.

Conclusions:

• Assessing isolated performance measures without context (opposition, location, time) is problematic.
• Dynamical systems approaches show potential for analyzing collective behavior in attack.
• International rugby union performance analysis can improve by adopting dynamical systems and cross-sport methods.