Ben Pollard, former England Rugby and British and Irish Lions S&C Sports Scientist , discusses how integrated data platforms are transforming the way elite teams track workload, design training sessions, and provide meaningful feedback to players and coaches. Key Topics Discussed: Beyond Running: The Full Picture of Player Load - Why GPS data alone isn't enough - contact load (carries, tackles, rucks) and set piece efforts complete the picture - Forwards may do 1-1.5 contacts per minute with 40% of plays starting from set piece - Recognising both quality AND quantity of rugby actions, not just running metrics Making the Complex Simple - Customising metrics to give feedback "as the ears want to hear it" - Amalgamating multiple data points into actionable one-liners for coaches - Creating context: data must reference what's previous or what's good to have impact The Merging of Sports Science & Analysis - Viewing rugby data alongside GPS/physical data on one platform is essential - Clicking on a moment to see "he's kick chasing at 95%" - objectifying rugby actions - Highlighting key moments of work rate or effort with supporting data Real-World Application: The "Mad Minute" Drill - Eddie Jones' 2016 England goal: increase speed and repeatability - Using GPS + video to identify highest meters-per-minute scenarios in matches - All started with kicks, never more than 2 phases before next kick - Created training drill targeting 170+ meters per minute to stress decision-making under running duress - Post-session traffic light reporting: did we train at or above game speed? The Three Key Questions for Session Reporting - Did we achieve the overall type of session wanted? (tough/physical, fast, light) - Did specific drills train at or above the speed of the game? - Which players deserve recognition and which need accountability? Creating Competition & Intent - Feedback must align with rugby actions coaches want to see - Make metrics competitive - recognition for top performers, consequences for bottom - When you feed back the right stuff, intent increases and rate of improvement accelerates - Match feedback should include running data, work-to-rest ratios, AND contact elements Context is Everything - Data without reference points (previous performance, match averages, tier one benchmarks) has no impact - Players and coaches need to know: "Is this good? Did we do well?" - Customisable dashboards that illustrate context bring data alive About Ben Pollard: Ben Pollard worked with England Rugby from 2012-2016 under Eddie Jones and with the British & Irish Lions, building comprehensive GPS and ball-in-play datasets that informed training design and session feedback at the highest level of international rugby.