Connacht clinch maiden title
Connacht were in fine form in their league final victory over Leinster, scoring three marvellous tries to secure their first ever PRO12 title 20-10.
Fittingly, it was some of the club’s most consistent performers that delivered the goods in the final. First on the scoresheet was Tiernan O’Halloran, who exploited a gap created by a Matt Healy break to sprint over on the left hand side and hand Connacht an early lead and less than ten minutes later, Niyi Adeolokun produced some magic on the other side of the field. The winger took a pass on the back foot and chipped over his defender, blazing around the man and volleying the ball towards the line where he gathered to complete a sublime display of skill.
The second half brought little respite for Leinster, who looked nervous and unconvincing for the majority of the 80 minutes, with Connacht hooker Tom McCartney very nearly finishing an incredible long-range score, stopped inches short by Johnny Sexton’s tackle. It was the Ireland fly-half that gave Leinster their first points too by stroking over a penalty after the break. However, Leinster’s misery was compounded after 57 minutes when Matt Healy latched onto a grubber from AJ MacGinty to score try number three and to put Leinster 20-3 behind. A late Sean Cronin score was enough to make the scoreline look respectable for the four-time champions, but Connacht reaped the rewards for their efforts, deserved winners on the day.
Guinness PRO12 Star Man: Matt Healy
Saracens complete season double
After a phenomenal year, Saracens completed a historic double with Aviva Premiership victory over Exeter Chiefs 28-20. The European champs survived a late surge from their opponents, having led 23-6 at half-time, to lift the trophy and give departing legends Jacques Burger and Charlie Hodgson a fitting send-off.
In the opening period, Saracens’ play bristled with everything that makes them so good, the tight five brutalising Exeter in every facet of play, the three-quarters flying out of the defensive line to snuff out Chiefs attacks and Alex Goode jinking his way through crowds of defenders. After an early volley of penalties, two going to Saracens and one to Exeter, Saracens made their first incision in the Chiefs’ defence through Schalk Brits who broke free in the heart of the field and found Chris Wyles and Owen Farrell, and the latter put a perfectly weighted kick through for Duncan Taylor to gather and score.
Only minutes later it was Wyles who capitalised on some uncharacteristically hopeless defence from Exeter’s back three to score Sarries’ second try and give them a 20-3 lead. A further exchange of penalties from Farrell and Gareth Steenson gave Saracens the healthiest of leads at the break. Having put forward one of the worst forty-minute performances of their season, Exeter emerged from the Twickenham dressing room revitalised and Gareth Steenson’s insistence on kicking for the corner was rewarded by a pushover try for Jack Yeandle, or Alec Hepburn, depending on who you trust. With Saracens unable to find any chinks in Exeter’s armour, the Chiefs built pressure with an improved scrum and Henry Slade was able to take advantage of Saracens’ overzealous defence, exploiting a dogleg and allowing the excellent Jack Nowell to slither into the corner for a momentous try.
With the scoreline now reading 23-20, Exeter seemed poised for a truly groundbreaking comeback, although only for three minutes. No sooner had the Chiefs’ celebrations subsided but the Premiership’s Player of the Year struck for Saracens, Goode benefitting from some more lax Exeter tackling to score the all-important try and deliver the 2016 Premiership title to Allianz Park.
Aviva Premiership Star Man: Jack Nowell
England rouse themselves for five-try victory over Wales
England recorded an ultimately convincing 27-13 victory over Wales at Twickenham on Sunday afternoon, scoring five tries to the visitors’ one. Despite George Ford’s kicking radar being on the blink, England were able to rally from a 13-10 deficit at half-time to score seventeen unanswered points in the second forty minutes. Wales looked to be in clinical form when they scored a startlingly straightforward try through Rob Evans after six minutes, and Dan Biggar added a penalty after sixteen minutes for a 10-0 lead. Luther Burrell then stepped up to the plate, replacing the injured Manu Tuilagi and punched a hole in the Welsh defence, stretching out to open England’s account. Despite the conversion lacking, England seemed energised and 12 minutes later Anthony Watson joined in the fun, scrabbling his way over after a break on the left touchline.
A further Biggar penalty gave Wales the narrow lead at the break, before England clicked into gear with Ben Youngs, Jack Clifford (under dubious circumstances) and Marland Yarde all crossing the whitewash in a 20-minute barrage that left Wales reeling and sealed the victory for England and Eddie Jones.
Old Mutual Wealth Cup Star Man: Joe Launchbury
Ardie is Hurricanes’ Savea
The Hurricanes needed a two-try outing from Ardie Savea to help them past the Highlanders 27-20. The first of Savea’s brace was right out of the top drawer with Cory Jane breaking free on the right hand side and offloading to Aaron Smith, with Savea sneaking through from the ensuing ruck to score the first after thirteen minutes. Jane was again instrumental in the build-up to Brad Shields’ try between the sticks, with the winger providing the final pass. Lima Sopoaga struck for the Highlanders before the break with a try, and almost created another (more on that later). Trailing 17-7 at the half, the Highlanders caught the Hurricanes on their heels scoring almost instantly out of the break, through Dan Leinert-Brown, and with two penalties coming from the boots of Sopoaga and Marty Banks, and one from Beauden Barrett, the score read 20-20 in the dying minutes. Cue Savea, who popped up to muscle through tackles and score the winning try, moments after a Barrett penalty had failed to hit the mark.
The Stormers’ 31-24 victory over the Cheetahs marks their seventh win of the campaign and puts them ahead of the Bulls in the Africa 1 Conference after Round 14. They outscored their opponents by three tries to two and had to constantly fend off the attentions of the Cheetahs who kept it close throughout. After each side had kicked three penalties in the early stages, the first five-pointer of the game went the Stormers’ way with centre Daniel du Plessis showing great strength to force his way over and give a half-time score of 14-9. In the second half the Cheetahs were guilty of gifting a try to their opponents with Leolin Zas gratefully receiving an errant pass and running the interception in for a second try. The tide then briefly turned in the Cheetahs’ favour, with two tries coming from Paul Schoeman and Sergeal Petersen, the first a result of some slick work by Clayton Blommetjies. At this point leading narrowly by 24-21, the Stormers produced some wonderful counter-attacking play and an unlikely chip through from No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe gave Cobus van Wyk the winning score.
Elsewhere, the Waratahs shocked the Chiefs with a 45-25 victory on Friday, with the Southern Kings narrowly denying Los Jaguares by 29-22 (the Argentinians were reduced to 13 men after two red cards). The remainder of the round saw more closely-fought results for the Crusaders (26-21 vs the Blues) and the Rebels (27-22 vs the Force), and absolute thrashings by the Brumbies (66-5 over the Sunwolves) and the Lions (56-20 vs the Bulls).
Super Rugby Star Man: Michael Hooper
Montpellier on the rise
After their Challenge Cup victory over Harlequins, the good news just kept coming for Montpellier who upset Toulon 36-21 at Altrad Stadium. The home side scored three tries, two in the first half and one in the second, all converted by the metronomic Demitri Catrakilis, with the fly-half combining with fellow countrymen Frans Steyn to kick five crucial penalties. The tries came straight from the off, with Montpellier’s Mickael Ivaldi crossing after four minutes and Josua Tuisova providing a swift response after six minutes for Toulon. Timoci Nagusa then scored the first of his two tries before the twenty-minute mark to hand Montpellier a 20-8 lead that they held until just before the half-time whistle. At that moment Xavier Chiocci scored an unlikely solo try to send the Toulon into the break just 15-20 down. This was to be the end of Toulon’s tryscoring however, and as Nagusa completed his brace and Catrakilis and Steyn continued to bomb penalties, Montpellier strode to victory.
Clermont were also caught out, losing 22-11 to Toulouse and seeing their lead at the top of the table cut to just two points. Despite a quick start, involving a Brock James penalty and a Camille Gerondeau try, Clermont surrendered their lead, letting in two tries in quick succession in the opening forty minutes. France internationals Louis Picamoles and Gael Fickou did the damage for Toulouse, with four penalties being added to the total by four different players. Clermont were unable to even muster a losing bonus point and Toulouse now lie in fifth in the Top 14, just three points behind Racing 92 and Toulon.
There were crucial wins for Bordeaux Begles and Castres in their bids to play Champions Cup rugby next season. Bordeaux kept their heads to pick up a bonus point in their 34-7 victory over Brive, while Castres needed a late David Smith try to beat Oyonnax 25-20. Racing 92 were able to keep their noses clean by beating La Rochelle 30-14 and Stade Francais squeezed past Agen by 28-26. Pau beat Grenoble in the other match 29-12.
Top 14 Star Man: Colin Slade
Try of the Week: Honourable mention to Ardie Savea’s first try against the Highlanders that saw Cory Jane and Aaron Smith heavily involved and also to Jack Nowell’s fairly innocuous-looking try against Saracens that on second look is a world-class finish. But the winner is Niyi Adeolokun’s burst of pure skill and speed to chip over Luke Fitzgerald for a key try in Connacht’s final victory.
Hero of the Week: Lima Sopoaga wins this week for his audacious piece of skill against the Hurricanes. Channelling every piece of rugby wizardry from days gone by, the Highlanders fly-half completed an overhead kick chip and chase which very nearly led to a try. Brazen, bold, beautiful and deserving of Hero of the Week.
Outrageous skills from @LimaSopoaga! Super Rugby continues tomorrow #BLUvCRU + BRUvSUN SS1 8.30am https://t.co/VbVvY06KEw
— Sky Sports Rugby (@SkySportsRugby) May 27, 2016
Villain of the Week: This week the award can be shared between Dan Biggar and Marius Mitrea. Jack Clifford’s try seems to be the result of either an England knock-on or an England deliberate knock-on and yet, after consulting the TMO, Mitrea awarded the try. The referee should not preclude himself from making decisions based on what he can see on the screens, as it has been used to great effect by referees in the recent past. Biggar, meanwhile, is able to whine with the best of them, and there was no call for his remonstration with Mitrea. The referee’s decision is final, even if as in this case, wrong. That does not allow Biggar to appeal to the official and try to change his mind. The acceptance of the referee’s authority is what makes rugby such a respectful sport.
By Fraser Kay (@fraserkay)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Don’t understand the furore around Clifford’s try. Dan Cole’s hands were out from his body and although the ball bounced in front of him, the ball clearly went backwards from Cole’s hands before bouncing up for Clifford to gather and score. Forward in rugby is defined as “towards the opposition deadball line”, and the ball definitely did not travel in that direction.
http://laws.worldrugby.org/?law=12&language=EN
Other than that, I thought Wales were poor other than their opening spell. Probably a good thing that they got that performance out of the way now, as if they played like that against New Zealand it could be a massacre. I fully expect Wales to bounce back from this and put in a better show against New Zealand, but questions will be asked and I can imagine Gatland and Edwards would have given the players a volley after the game.
For England, a lot of the focus was on Ford, but again, England scored tries with Ford playing at 10. Forget the kicks, that’s 5 today to go with 13 in the Six Nations, and the 4 we scored against Fiji in the World Cup (before he was dropped). I would go with Farrell for the Australia series, but Farrell will be under the microscope to make sure we are playing attacking rugby and scoring tries, not only looking to build in 3s.
The backrow were very good, and I think a backrow of Harrison, Clifford and Vunipola in Australia could be the way to go. A lot of pace and breakdown ability, as well as Vunipola’s big carrying game.
Launchbury has also thrown a spanner into the works with his performance, the only issue is he can only really compete with Itoje as neither of them run the line-out, so I’d probably still go with Itoje, but Launchbury on the bench.
I’m firmly in the Goode camp now when it comes to picking England’s full back. He was outstanding again on Saturday (despite a sort of shaky start under a couple of high balls), he put in a brilliant performance. There is still part of me that thinks he lacks the pace to be test quality, but form is such that we at least need to have another look at him – especially whilst Brown is nothing but solid.
I thought Exeter got their tactics wrong against Saracens. They proved the have serious skill out wide with Nowell’s try, but despite conditions suiting it, they didn’t seem to keen to spread the ball.
England game was great, but Ford surely can not start now. You can’t leave 14 easy points out there in many test matches and still expect to win. Launchbury was brilliant, and must seriously be close to dislodging Krutoje. Only question would be, Itoje looks in better form that Kruis, but who calls the line outs if we go with Launchbury and Itoje?
Last note – completely agree on Biggar, showed an utter lack of respect for the officials.
Like you Jacob, I still don’t think Goode has the pace at test level but he’s definitely earned a chance to show whether he does or not. Although I do think he should have stopped Nowell scoring and can’t help but think that Brown would have done.
Launchbury was superb on Sunday but I don’t think that one match is enough to oust either Itoje or Kruis.
Lawes played a lot better than we’ve seen for a while and Attwood looked decent once on – its great that we have such strength in depth at second row
Biggar should have had a yellow card
Sorry to sound like an echo but also agree. Feel like Goode has been found out a few times in the past for England and worried it will happen again at international level, despite his club form.
I’d like to see Watson at FB. Increase his involvement in the game and he’s our best guy on the counter.
Despite the club form I do have reservations with Goode, he’s not cut it in 20 caps, top class rugby brain in a club class body. Suspect history will repeat and top class international backs will continue to go through him/round him. But if EJ wants to take a look I can’t argue he’s not earned it.
Watson plays well at FB for Bath; easily quick enough to cover the back field and is electric when running in an open field/broken play.
For me the question is do we want to carry on with Brown now that he’s become one dimensional and predictable in attack whilst solid in defence and under the high ball? Or do we want to play someone who is unpredictable with ball in hand and can pass, kick and provide scoring opportunities for others whilst not being quite so solid in defence or under the high ball (in itself debatable)?
Going on the players and style of play that Eddie has gone with so far, I think Goode fits in perfectly. Jospeh and Watson certainly fit into the unpredictable mould and will thrive off the sort of ball that Goode will give them in attack. Watson and Nowell will chase Goode’s excellent up and unders all day. Something we haven’t seen from Brown for some time.
I just don’t think Brown has been the same player since his concussion issues and his best days are behind him. I would still like to see Watson played at 15 with Yarde or Roko (or May when he’s fit again) on the wing.
Ok Jack Nowell was a bright spark in the Chiefs team (Slade didn’t up his value any unfortunately) but to say he was star man??? In reality either Alex Goode, Chris Wyles or Duncan Taylor should get that accolade given their contribution to a winning result.
On the England front, despite Eddie Jones’ protestations, George Ford wasn’t good. Not only the kicking from the tee, but kicks in general play that were charged down or aimless. His passing was often woeful (either thrown hard into players for knock ons or looped slowly) and in defence he was lucky to have Burrell (should have played his way into starting xv) making hits for him. EJ is right, 5 tries against a full ish strength Wales team isn’t to be coughed at, but it should have, could have been more (and the game should have been safer). Ford would be served better by a trip with the Saxons than any other player around.
And Wales. Well I genuinely do worry for them in NZ. But also it could conversely be the best thing that happens to them if they take a spanking down there. Players such as Roberts, Lydiate and Wyn Jones may even have plunged off the cliff and are ready for pasture. Time for them to rebuild.
And lastly, hopefully someone is having a word with Dan Biggar about discipline. It may have been a poor desicion from the TMO. It wasn’t an excuse for the arguments and dissent that followed.
Jez – I agree that Ford wasn’t great in open play, but, especially in the first half, he was being given some absolute dross from Ben Youngs (who was very poor despite a decent try) to work with.
Think you are right though that a tour with the Saxons might well have been a good idea to re-build his confidence. EJ should have switched him and Cipriani
At the moment I’d start with Care and I’d look at Robson from Wasps. Depending on game plan Wigglesworth has had a stellar end to the season. Simpson should be in mix ahead of Youngs too.
If Ben Spencer gets more regular playing time at Sarries he’d have to come in to the equation. Looks a good player, plus we could have an 8/9/10 combo for club and country.
Agree with both of your points Pablito. Youngs looks pedestrian compared to Care and error-prone compared to Wigglesworth. His step and a half before passing is getting the fly half closed down, and he seems to have lost his pass off the left hand completely. Cipriani is never going to get into a Jones fifteen and has been given the Saxons tour as a sop, even though his club form has been far better than Ford. I thought he took the disappointment with considerable grace.
Cips has had plenty of practice at taking England disappointment with good grace. Its one things I really respect about him he just goes back to the Saxons or his club and continues to work on his all round game. He has shown that he is a far more mature player these days than he is given credit for.
Very true Leon. I think he has matured hugely in the past couple of years and will be very interested to see how he goes at Wasps next year. Unfortunately I think he could play like Attilla the Hun and behave like the Angel Gabriel for the rest of his career and still not get a proper chance from EJ. A real shame but as Charlie Hodgson´s career showed, England rarely picks true flair players. Farrell is good, and might even win you more games, but I know who I´d rather watch.
I’d like to add Ashton to the Villain of the Week please for his pathetic and cheating attempt to con the ref into awarding him a try at the end of the game.
He wasn’t even close to touching the ball down and there is no way on earth that he thought he had.
And yet some people still wonder why Ashton is still disliked
From what I saw (and I maybe wrong) he actually said to the ref ‘I might have got it down’ and then laughed. It was a bit of kidology and killed the clock a bit at the end of the game. It certainly wasn’t anywhere near anything like Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones haranguing the ref the next day.
‘A bit of kidology’ – it was a blatant attempt to cheat the ref and it was so obvious that as soon as the replays came on the screen made him look like a dishonest fool
No it wasn’t as bad as Biggar or AWJ but I’m not comparing the two events. I am talking about Ashton
Oh well not the way I saw it but then again neither do I dislike Chris so I’m sure I’m biased (in much the same way as many are biased the other way seeing as the smallest things are blown up out of proportion. )
I don’t really think Ashton believed that a ref of Barnes’s calibre wasn’t going to check it. And for all we know Ashton may have actually thought he’d touched it down. At that speed, in the heat of the moment, who knows?
Have to say the look on Barnes’ face said it all really. He didn’t believe for one second that Ashton had scored but gave him the courtesy of checking it anyway.
Spot on on Ashton there Dazza. But as we know he is vilified like the child catcher on chitty chitty bang bang any small thing is escalated to the levels of most heinous thing seen on a pitch.
In the years I’ve watched rugby I’ve seen similar many times with nowhere near tge same vilification.
I’m not vilifying Ashton – there’s no need to, he does a bang up job on his own.
I just watched it again in case I’m being unfair, but no, I really am not. He wasn’t even close, there’s no way he could have thought for a moment that he scored that. And yet he celebrated like he’d scored the winning try in the world cup.
Totally agree with Pablito. He´d be much more at home on a football field. Missed it by a mile and is a cheat.
Great game between Exeter and Sarries on Saturday and glad to see the Chiefs put up a good fight in the second half. Very fitting though that the Premiership player of the year scored the final points of the final as Hodgson missed the conversion.
Whilst I’m talking about missed conversions, Ford should be felling pretty sick with himself after missing those four for England. He was good with ball in hand, but his kicking out of hand and from the tee were both poor.
Also thought some of Youngs’s passing was again pretty poor. Passing the ball at head level does not help continuity of play when you’re trying to move it quick.
Thought Burrell looked good and with Faz at 10 instead of Ford would possibly have got more ball to run with. I still think if we’re playing a big runner at 12 we need a second playmaker elsewhere in the back line. If Slade can pull himself together after a generally poor showing in the Prem final I would be tempted to play Faz, Burrell and Slade at 10,12 & 13 respectively. Saying that I also thought Joseph looked eager to run the ball, so would be tempted to have Goode at 15 to provide the second playmaker option with Faz, Burrell and Joseph.
Biggar should count himself lucky it wasn’t a more experienced international ref or he could have found himself sitting out for 10 minutes. That sort of behaviour deserves a yellow card and should not be tolerated at any level. As soon as players think it will be tolerated we will see more of it.
My 23 for England’s first test:
1.M. Vunipola, 2. Hartley, Cole, 4. Kruis, 5. Itoje, 6. Haskell, 7. Clifford, 8. B. Vunipola, 9. Care, 10. Farrell, 11. Nowell, 12. Burrell, 13. Joseph, 14. Watson, 15. Goode
16. George, 17. Genge, 18. Hill, 19. Launchbury, 20. Harrison, 21. Youngs, 22. Ford, 23. Daly
If Goode is starting at 15, which I think he should, I can’t see a place for Brown in the 23. Same for Robshaw in the back row. Harrison looked at home against Wales and applied himself very well. He will provide more impact off the bench than Robshaw would and Clifford proved he’s worth a start somewhere in the back row.
Joseph needs to be told to stop kicking the ball away. But he seemed to improve as the game went on
Agree with you that either Brown or Robshaw start or there’s no place for them. Personally I thought Haskell looked off the pace on Sunday both in defence and attack and would start Robshaw with Harrison on the bench.
Also thought Yarde looked pretty decent and if EJ decides to contiunue with Ford and Farell both on the pitch, he could add the power in the back line that I thought we lacked a little during the 6 Nations – especially if Goode is selected at 15. But I’m not sure who’d you drop for him!
Burrell did well to score his try but what else does he offer other than crash ball? Wales have the same issue with Roberts, you just know he’s going to run the ball into contact. It makes it pretty predictable to defend and doesn’t give the 10 as many options.
I haven’t re-watched the incident and I was a few beers down when it happened, but it appeared to me that the ball went backwards off Cole’s hand? Was this not the case?
That’s what I thought… I couldn’t understand the disagreement over it. Though I did enjoy Greenwood and Scott Quinnell (I think it was) having a huge argument over it
Shouldn’t matter whether it was right or wrong desicion, the actions of senior Welsh players was wrong.
I haven’t seen Gatland or anyone from Welsh RFU criticize them yet either.
That was brilliant.
Greenwood: wind your video back and let’s get our protractors out!
Quinnell: what’s a protractor?
A tractor for professionals?
They only had one angle and it didn’t show which way it went off Cole’s hand, only that it hit his hand and then Moriarty (I think it was him) knocked it on. With no evidence to show whether Cole had knocked it on first the TMO told the ref to award the try.
Again the question asked is key here: Is there any clear and obvious reason I can’t award the try?” Reponse from TMO “Nothing clear and obvious, you may award the try”.
Don’t really see how it’s that controversial? Had they had another angle which clearly showed Cole had knocked the ball on fair enough, but the ref and TMO can only work with what they have.
One thing from this is clear, Biggar should have been yellow carded.
Personally I would have given a penalty restart to England – thats what used to happen if anyone chatted back to the ref after a try in club/school rugby. Would teach him not to do it again. Shame we are seeing phasing out of refs giving another 10 yards and the like for dissent. It is one of the most effective ways of shutting players up
I think it was Mitrea’s first international as a ref? Only been on the touchline before, so maybe his inexperience was to blame. Can only imagine the discussion that would have ensued had someone like Owens, Jackosn, Poite or Peyper been refereeing!!
I think that the controversy stems from the fact that Cole did not appear to be trying to catch the ball, just stopping the pass. With no TV replays, I think that his action would have resulted in a penalty and probably a yellow.
In real time it looked like an intentional knock down.
The fact that we could replay it showed that the ball “probably” didn’t go forward, although I suspect that was more luck than intent.
The end result was the correct decision, so I don’t really think that the ref was at fault in any way.
Biggar’s reaction was very poor, as was Gatland’s attempts to excuse it because of his “passion”. “Passion” is what we hear as excuses from footballers for the continual shoddy behaviour on the pitch.
There is literally no such thing as an ‘intentional knock-down’ rule in rugby as far as I’m aware – I can’t claim to know the rule book off by heart though! If there were then you wouldn’t be able to knock the ball down off the top of the lineout or from kicks and restarts and the like. The illegality only comes into it if it goes forward and can be judged to be a deliberate knock-on with no genuine attempt to intercept to prevent opposition possession. Given that it looked as if the ball, at the very most, went straight down rather than forward, there wasn’t much the ref could really say was stopping him from awarding the try.
Think it is a bit harsh on all the Sarries players that Nowell, as good as he was, gets ‘star man’! Personally would give to Goode – also he definitely deserves another shot to prove he can make it at test level. Brown was better against Wales but still not back to his best.
On the topic of Launchbury trying to break into the Krutoje second row – seen a few people suggest moving Itoje to 6. Would certainly speed up our backrow, he’s excellent at the breakdown and a good carrier. He also played a lot of his early rugby there and played regularly for sarries there last season so down’t think it would be a repeat of the Lancaster-Lawes-at-6 mistake. Given Harrison was ok, but not outstanding, no Ewers in the squad, and the likely inclusion of Hughes in the backrow come Autumn – this may be a good short term move for Australia.Thoughts?
Henry, I thought that Nowell was superb throughout the game, and was certainly my MotM. In the first half when Exeter were mis-firing so badly, it was no mean feat to be able to play such a high quality game on the wing.
A 6/8 combo of Hughes/Itoje + Vunipola/Ewers plus a 7 (pick from Clifford/Kvesic/Wallace/maybe Harrison) covers everything you need very convincingly. Big carriers, lineout options in Itoje and Hughes, versatility, good breakdown work. Kruis and Launchury then backed up by the other established locks plus the likes of Ewels and Barrow coming through. Could be pretty scary.
Robshaw and Haskell, as much as I like them, are not long for this team.
Agreed, but that’s the way it should be, with the old guard being forced out by top performance from the young lads coming through.
I’m a wee bit unsure on Hughes as defences seemed to have worked him out somewhat by the end of the season and I’m not sure I’d want him displacing Vunipola. But its good to have the option.
I’d love to see a back row of 6. Ewers, 7. Clifford or Fraser and 8. Vunipola at some point
I tend to agree on Hughes. If he is also as good as some are suggesting I worry that New Zealand haven’t picked up on him?
That’s all if, buts and maybes. What is great to see is the amount of options coming to the fore in England. The fact EJ can make contentious desicions and still win games, playing a more exciting and developing game plan them things are looking good.
For me the 23 should be:
1. Vunipola
2. George
3. Coles
4. Itoje
5. Kruis
6. Ewers
7. Clifford
8. Vunipola
9. Care
10. Farrell
11. Nowell
12. Slade
13. Burrell
14. Watson
15. Goode
16. Cowan Dickie
17. Mullen
18. Hill
19. Launchbury
20. Harrison
21. Robson
22. Daly
23. Joseph
‘What is great to see is the amount of options coming to the fore in England.’
Very true and very exciting, but do you think this is the case in the back 3, longer term? Particularly at wing? Whereas we seem to have almost too many promising players through the rest of the team, where are the young wingers?
If Watson goes to FB before too long, we’re looking at Nowell and Yarde. Wade, if he gets a chance. Addison? Lewington? They need to show what they can do at a higher level. Roko’s pushing 29. May doesn’t strike me as a Jones player. Any guys coming out of the U20 team that produced Itoje etc? Maybe Nathan Earle at Sarries.
Howard Packman at Northampton is a pretty handy youngster coming through from the U20’s.
Slade and Burrell? Unusual but can understand it
Thought Mullan did rather well on Sunday
Certainly wouldn’t say he was outstanding but I thought Harrison was comfortably better than OK to be fair. Outshone Haskell at any rate, who will remain a valuable squad member for his attitude and versatility but got shown up a touch in terms of his fleetness of thought by Clifford, Harrison and even Kvesic for the short time he was on the pitch. I thought Harrison gave away a couple of penalties that were very Haskell-esque in their needlessness but, given that he’s 23 and in only his first full season of top level rugby, it’s understandable if he’s a bit raw – Haskell still has those brainfades and he’s 30 and closing in on 70 caps! It’s difficult to truly judge given it was hardly a first choice Welsh back row mind you, but I thought if you’re looking to combat Fardy and the Pooper Scooper then it might be worth sticking with Harrison and Clifford as your flankers alongside Billy, with Haskell to cover the back row from the bench.
Clive Woodward’s starting 15 for the 1st test in Brisbane is interesting:
Alex Goode; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, George Kruis; Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola, Jack Clifford
Think I would have Danny Care instead of Ben Youngs but like it otherwise.
Thats the team I would go for. A coin toss between Youngs and Care. One’s passing is sloppy at times, the other’s box kicking not accurate enough. Both excellent attacking options.
Have to say I thought Youngs try at the weekend was excellent and showcased good strength – not usual from an English 9 – so that maybe edges it for him over Care for me. Although it was very poor Welsh defence.
I’m assuming this would be with Vunipola at 8 with Clifford at 7? It would certainly be an attacking team. Farrell and Slade certainly played well together against France in the WC arm up game, although Slade was playing at 13.
One thin I would say is it might almost give us too many playmaking options and not enough power in the back line. Farrell, Slade and Goode? Maybe Yarde on one wing with Watson at 15 and Goode on the bench, or Goode starting with Burrell/T’eo at 12 and Slade on the bench?
We won’t see any real changes in the 1st test unless enforced by train ground injury. It is fun to speculate, but EJ wont: A) Give up on the George Ford experiment – he believes he has world class potential and tbh Sir Jonny only hit his straps after about 20 caps, as didi Dan Carter. I think this is the frame of reference EJ is using. B) Change the inside centre options -which are, much like under Lancaster, band aid solutions until Manu is fit. I would imagine Burrell and T’eo being made to train against each other and under pressure though. C) Slade won’t have impressed EJ after his comeback from injury. I mean not only has he publicly stated that HS hasn’t been very impressive, his premiership final appearance was dreadful. I think one of the broadsheets gave him 4/10 and I felt that was generous. D) Back row composition – I think he will stick with Robipolakell ™ as his favoured blend. Very high system accuracy, all doing the job that has been asked of them – this may change in the second and third test. I also think that of the tourists in the back row they are the most physical, and physicality is a stated aim of EJ’s on this tour – Harrison is right fierce though. E) EJ is not going to play people out of position like Lancs or even MJ did – before everyone cries Faz at 12, he started his career there and has only really emerged as a pure ten at club level in the past two years. The calls for Itoje at 6 are a bit premature based on everything Eddie has show thus far. F) Props – Aussie will play a lot of their kicking game in space to keep the ball in play time high. His gamble on Sinckler and Genge even travelling is based on this so I anticipate them being used extensively off the bench (or with the new law changes) as injury replacements ( I anticipate a lot of HIA’s happening subsequently to enable high impact interchanges).
We’ve reached a point now where we shouldn’t be waiting for Manu to come back, we can’t afford to keep planning around him. His career is far from over, hopefully he’ll get himself right, but for EJ to go through to WC 2019 with his fingers crossed seems unlikely/crazy. If he wants to stick to that approach he needs to hope that Te’o (or someone else, not Burrell unfortunately) proves himself a viable alternative with Manu’s availability being a bonus. Otherwise, get a new plan.
I always felt Lancaster was unduly slated for his fiddling with the centres, but so much of that was waiting for Manu. Can’t keep happening.
I think unfortunately for Manu the only way he will get himself fully fit and stay that way is to move to a different club. I just can’t see that whilst he remains at the Tigers he is going to stay fit for long.
I agree Dazza. He is a player who would benefit from benevolent discipline. There are not many clubs who offer that (plus his wage demands would turn a few away.)
But yeah a move to Chiefs, Saracens or possibly Warriors would do him good.
I could see him at Sale or Worcester. Dean Ryan or Steve Diamond would definitely get the best out of him. Not sure his character would fit in with McCall or Baxter though.
I don’t think any of those moves would happen. He seems to get away with whatever at Tigers and it suits him.
Do you guys really think Cockerill is a soft touch?! Leicester have always had the mantra of no man is bigger than the team, and they look after their players incredibly well. They weren’t strong-armed into offering Manu astronomical wages when Worcester came calling.
In my eyes Cockerill is in the same league as Ryan/Diamond in terms of not taking any rubbish!
I don’t rate Cockrill too highly at all. I’ll just mention three names, model pros who have gone to a club from Tigers and revelled in greater professionalism and been instrumental in helping young players on and off field. Parling, Salvi and Waldrom.
I prefer Rob-aske-ipola(TM) in EJ’s preferred 6-7-8 sequence
I see Hugh-ifford-ipola on the horizon
I think you’ll find Attila the Hun couldn’t pass of his left, lacked pace and had a poor percentage off the tee. Mind you he could tackle and didn’t drive pissed.
I understood that he was famously left-handed and was not allowed anywhere near chariots because he kept falling out of them or stepping into their path, but you may be right Jez! On the other hand he did have tremendous vision as to what was possible and was extremely successful for several years, sweeping across three continents at great pace.
The Mongals were famously fast, accurate and precise able to react very quickly and capitalise on their opponents mistakes
But Leon, in the later stages, got famously complacent and took their eye of the ball ;)
That was the Romans
The Mongals self imploded in a succession war when Kublai Khan died
(read Johnny Wilkinson retired from international rugby)
… Anyway back to rugby