Unopposed runs: A necessary evil?

Unopposed rugby runs – are they a cornerstone of effective coaching, or just another ritual in our toolkit?

In this article, Bill McDonald discussed the pros and cons, and I decided to ask coaches on LinkedIn for their views.

The responses from the discussion show there’s no simple answer, but plenty of insights worth considering.

Ian Costello, Munster Rugby’s head of operations, points out the obvious but crucial truth: “Context is always key.”

For unopposed runs to be useful, they need to be purposeful and integrated into a coaching plan.

This sentiment is echoed by Nick Jackson, who uses these runs to recreate pressure scenarios, helping players "see and feel the pictures" before facing real challenges.

Others, like Stuart Armstrong, take a more critical stance. He likens unopposed drills to “comfort blankets,” suggesting they might make us feel like we’re doing something productive, without guaranteeing meaningful outcomes.

But, even he admits, “They’re not evil – unless comfort leads to negative outcomes.”

For coaches like Liam Dunseath, unopposed runs have a clear role on “install days,” where low-intensity, high-clarity sessions set the stage for deeper learning.

Gavin Williams draws a compelling parallel to military rehearsals: “They help remind individuals of their roles” before facing live scenarios, he said. After all, as in rugby, “no plan survives contact with the enemy.”

The key takeaway? These drills aren’t inherently good or bad – they’re tools.

As George Ross puts it, their success often “comes down to the skill of the individual coach to provide as much context as possible.”

By weaving in scenarios, constraints and purpose, unopposed runs can bridge confidence and understanding, without replacing the need for live decision-making.

Unopposed runs may not be for everyone or every session. But, when used well, they can be a powerful starting point.

As always, the coach’s art lies in making the drill fit the need, not the other way around.