1. Hogg’s dizzy heights
Stuart Hogg has always had some enviable natural talent but sometimes has overplayed situations with an ill-advised flick pass or sidestepping his way into trouble – but on Saturday, we saw the best of Hogg and it was joyous to watch.
Following his sumptuous try-assisting pass out of the back of his hand in Rome two weeks ago, Hogg produced the sort of performance against France that left you salivating for more. The sidestep for his try took at least three defenders out of the game before he proceeded to knock a 54 metre penalty straight between the uprights.
He saved his piece de resistance for last though. A long, looping pass from Laidlaw headed his way and Hogg had the nous to jump and flick the ball over his head into Tim Visser’s welcoming hands for a match-winning try.
Whisper it, but has Hogg has just laid the first marker down for the Lions fullback berth?
2. Marler’s behaviour crosses the line
We all see and feel the tension of an England versus Wales game, with patriotic fans pushing the boundaries of ‘banter’ whilst players and coaches alike state on numerous occasions that this is the fixture they all want to win more than any other. They would do anything to do so but Joe Marler took it way too far on Saturday, and the citing commissioner should hit Marler with a hefty ban.
First there was what can only be described as a cheap shot on Rob Evans after the Welsh prop successfully helped in stopping him drive Dan Cole over for a try but unfortunately it only got worse from there.
Insulting Samson Lee about his heritage by calling him a ‘gypsy boy’ is quite frankly unacceptable and although Marler apologised at half time and showed remorse for what he had done, he should still be punished for allowing his emotion to take him too far.
3. Ireland’s future is bright
It has been an extremely underwhelming Six Nations so far for Ireland but after their win at the weekend and some individual performances from their game at Twickenham, Ireland fans should look to the future with hope.
There is a mixture of experienced players – with nine of the current squad with over 50 caps and Keith Earls about to match that figure – and very exciting youngsters coming through the ranks that look like they could well have some longevity in their international careers.
Simon Zebo impressed at full back and Robbie Henshaw, at the ripe old age of 22, already has 19 caps to his name and has taken to international rugby like a duck to water. If players like Stuart McCloskey can now be blooded and the hype around Gary Ringrose comes to fruition, then we could see some very exciting times ahead in the backs.
The biggest potential may come in the forwards, though, as Ultan Dillane continues to cut his teeth in test match rugby. The young Connacht second row has made a big impression in both cameos during the championship, and now may be the time to give him that first start to really see what the future may hold.
4. There is a place for Italy in the Championship
A promising start in Paris has been followed by a string of damaging results for Italy after being humbled at home twice and savaged by Ireland in Dublin.
This has led to calls in some quarters to review Italy’s participation in the Championship but taking them out of the equation makes no sense at all. There have been times that Italy have been extremely competitive during the annual European showpiece and have at one time or another beaten everyone but England.
They have lost their way in recent times and old stalwarts such as Martin Castrogiovanni, Sergio Parisse and Alessandro Zanni are bringing to an end this generation of players, but they will come back next season with a new coach and a new mentality to boot. If rumours are to be believed that Connor O’Shea will take the reins, then surely this will give them a new edge that people need to embrace.
Scotland have had poor cycles just like Italy, and have picked up wooden spoons along the way, but not for a second would anyone consider a move to oust them. There are other ways that can be explored to revamp the Championship before we consider kicking out the Azzurri.
5. Eddie Jones’ player management is spot on
He knows how to rile the media and opposing fans, players and coaches alike, but Maro Itoje’s performance at the weekend personified just how well Jones is managing his players.
In the past there have been many false dawns with = media and fans have overhyping players, forcing a coach has thrown them in like a lamb to the slaughter – Matthew Tait in Cardiff immediately springs to mind.
Jones, however, has taken his time to blood players like Itoje and in the process taken some of the spotlight away from him. This has allowed the Saracens second row to creep under the radar a little more and in turn, relieved the pressure valve on him a bit.
I am not sure what the official gauge is on classifying a ‘World Class’ performance, but Itoje must have been close and that is, in part, down to Jones’ player management.
6. Why so late for Wales’ Plan B?
Wales are a team that have persistently prided themselves on their defensive qualities but, as mentioned in so many articles on this site, they too often forget about how to attack with poise and precision.
There is no need to dissect their first half show – or no show – but more frustrating for the fans will have been just how good Wales were for the final ten minutes at Twickenham.
Some of that credit has to go to Rhys Priestland. His passing was accurate, snappy and on the gain line which enabled big runners to make holes for wingers to run into space. Taulupe Faletau and George North thrived off it and although England having 14 men, and perhaps thought they had already won, undoubtedly played a part, Wales looked like world-beaters in the final exchanges.
So, the big question is: shouldn’t ‘Plan B’ have been ‘Plan A’ all along?
By Andy Daniel
Follow Andy on Twitter (@scrum5ive)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Even as an Englishman I would like to see Wales playing plan B all the time, we can all remember how exciting their games were & nothing like the stuff served up now. Just imagine what the RWC might have delivered for Wales…..
I agree entirely with the comments reference Joe Marler. He deserves punishment and a heavy one that. There is no place for thuggery and even less for racial abuse. But..
To not mention Tomas Francis is amiss. His attack was cowardly and could have resulted in serious injury. And should be vilified in the same way Marler has.
What should be said is that some players behaviourally let themselves down. It was a full blooded contest that on occasion boiled over into unacceptable behaviour. Both teams should be reminded of their responsibility.
Although, one player, behaviourally shone out. Maro Itoje possesses a maturity beyond his years. He was on the end of some ‘treatment’ (I spotted one stamp on his leg early on) but reacted only by playing better. A class act.
On Hogg – we shouldn’t whisper it. For me right now he is the only player I can think of that has no real competition for his Lions shirt. Almost every other position/player can be debated except for his in my opinion, with only Liam Williams even worth half a mention. He is such a talent, and I’ve been a huge fan of this for a long time; I’d say he is up there with Folau and Ben Smith as the best 15’s in the world.
For me my starting xv for Lions would be at the moment, subject to change of course, with options:
15. Hogg/Halfpenny
14. Watson/Seymour
13. Taylor/Davies
12. Henshaw/Horne
11. North/Bowe
10. Farrell/Sexton
9. Webb/Laidlaw
1. McGrath/Vunipola
2. George/Hartley
3. Lee/Coles
4. Itoje/Ryan
5. AWJ/Kruis
6. Stander/Barclay
7. Hardie/Tipuric
8. Vunipola/Fealatu
There’s quite a few I’d change there. Listed below I’ll go with first choice first then the second option. For me, only the 15 shirt is so one sided.
15. Hogg/Williams
14. Watson/Seymour
13. JJ/Davies
12. Henshaw/Roberts
11. North/Nowell
10. Farrell/Russell
9. Murray/Webb
1. Dickinson/Vunipola
2. Hartley/Best
3. Lee/Nel
4. Itoje/J.Gray
5. AWJ/Launchbury
6. Stander/Haskell
7. Warburton/Hardie
8. Vunipola/Faletau
When discussing 10s I don’t think Russell should be getting even a slight consideration ahead of any from Biggar, Sexton or Farrell
Also if we’re selecting on current form, no Warburton or Launchbury (has been outshone by both Kruis and Itoje this 6 nations)
Hogg is superb but I’d like him to have a run of say 4 matches where he doesn’t do anything silly before saying he’s the out and out favourite
What’s he done that’s silly in the four 6N games we’ve had so far?
Personally I think Russell has much more to his game that Sexton at the moment, who seems to kick too often in my opinion. It’s a toss of a coin between those two for me, but I think Russell could be great behind a pack that moves forward.
Biggar isn’t in the same league with ball in hand as any of those three, so I wouldn’t even consider him. I think Biggar is possibly the most overrated player in world rugby. How a player that can not to his primary role, which as a 10 should be getting a back line firing, and still be considered world class by some is beyond me.
In fact I’d add Roberts to the list of overrated players.
There is no coincidence that Wales looked their most threatening on Saturday once England tired, were down to 14 men, Priestland came on who then bypassed Roberts and got the ball to North quicker (actually got the ball to North!)
I’d disagree with that. Roberts is a 12, and can fulfill the role as defensive leader and gainline breaker incredibly successfully. I also think he has better hands than Gatland ever lets him show.
Biggar is a fly half; not a large ball carrying center and therefore has absolutely no excuse not to be able to pass a ball of pick a gap.
I’m sorry but I simply cannot agree on Roberts. Or as a Welsh fan of my acquaintence called him Dr 2 Steps. His gain breaks are marginal and a good 7 will always stop him (imagine what a brilliant 7 would do to him!). His effectiveness is 5 years out of date.
If you could trust him with an off load play him at 13 (I’ve always felt the crash, tackle buster should be wider out ) but would you pick him ahead of Davies, JJ, Tuilagi, Payne, Henshaw, Taylor ???
He’d certainly be a better player if he offloaded the ball more, but I don’t necessarily think it’s a massive issue to be honest. It’s about combinations, if you have a JJ/Daly outside him and a 10 than can draw a man and pass inside him then he’d be even more effective.
That being said, Henshaw gets in ahead of him for me, so I wouldn’t be starting Roberts in a test 15.
15. Hogg / Brown
14. Watson / Seymour
13. JJ / Taylor
12. Henshaw / Roberts (although im tempted to say McCloskey and shift Henshaw to 13 alt)
11. North / Nowell
10. Farrell / Sexton
9. Webb / Murray
1. McGrath / Vunipola
2. Hartley / Baldwin
3. Nel / Lee
4. Itoje / J.Gray
5. Kruis / Charteris
6. Stander / Robshaw
7. Hardie / Tipuric
8. Vunipola / Faletau
Bare in mind when it comes to a Lions squad there is just about as much importance in picking someone versatile rather than just the best players, After all who in earth would have predicted Matt Stevens on the last tour.
I don’t think versatility comes into account when you’re picking the first 15 at all.
Also – Stevens wasn’t picked to cover both sides. He was picked as the third tight head with Cole and Jones. Initially, Jenkins, Healy and Vunipola were the tight heads before Corbs and Grant ended up with call ups because of injuries to the first two. At no point was Stevens ability to play at LH used.
Stevens was picked for musical ability…a key component for any tour
he hardly played though
So, the big question is: shouldn’t ‘Plan B’ have been ‘Plan A’ all along?
The problem is the history behind this. Remember “the best RWC game ever” at RWC 2007? Wal v Fij, scores all over the place? I do and it was the worst game of rugby I’ve ever sat through. Wales played like pixes for years and got nothing from it, we tighten up, get fit, tackle like sods, learn a defensive system and we get some grand slams and titles and even in lean years we get a few creditable wins.
Now I’m not saying we don’t need to change – just saying that it’s not as simple as “why don’t Wales just go all out an attack more?” because of the history that every Welsh fan knows of this not being enough and, when it goes badly, we end up on the end of 60-5 drubbings by the neighbours.
What we need to do is add the attack to the defence. The desperate “we’re losing, sod it!” play at the end of that match is probably too far to start any game with, as exciting as it is for the neutral, because we’ll likely lose a stack of matches trying to play a whole game like that. We can though loosen up somewhat, bring some new players into the squad (every time Gats picks Cuthbert now is just ridicolous) and, I think, get a decent attack coach.
We’re speculating lions? Cool, I’m in
15 Hogg/ Zebo
14 Watson/ Seymour
13 JJ/ Davies maybe Tuilagi or Bennett
12 Henshaw/ Taylor maybe if Dunbar is on form
11 North/ Nowell Seymour can go either wing
10 Sexton/ Farrell
9 Murray/ Webb
1 McGrath/ Dickinson maybe Vunipola for impact off the bench
2 George/ Hartley maybe Best
3 Nel/ Lee
4 Itoje/ Henderson if Henderson is fit
5 Kruis/ J Gray
6 O’Mahony/ Barclay I just can’t leave O’Mahony out
7 Hardie/ Tipuric
8 Vunipola/ Faletau
Lions if I was picking a XV today:
15 Hogg
14 Watson
13 JJ
12 Roberts
11 North
10 Biggar – this one was really hard, he hasn’t been outstanding but nobody has at 10, Sexton looks to be way off form, picking him for kicking as much as anything else…
9 Gareth Davies
8 Faletau (Vunipola off the bench in every game with at least 30 to go)
7 Hardie
6 Stander
5 AWJ (Captain)
4 Kruis
3 Lee
2 Baldwin
1 Evans
I suspect front row picks will be put down to bias but I genuinely think they have acquitted themselves extremely well in this tournament. Hard team to pick as so much quality not in it – Itoje, Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams, Tuilagi….
Blimey that one was picked by a Welshman!
Can understand Lee, but “acquitted themselves well” doesn’t really cut it as Lions picks does it? Hartley has been outstanding for England and completely outplayed Baldwin at the weekend so I’m not sure how you’ve got to that one. Evans has been pretty average but to be fair, other than Dickinson this tournament I don’t think there’s a standout LH.
Gareth Davies isn’t even the best Welsh 9!
Biggar I’ve said enough about – that one is really lost on me. Again you’ve picked a half back that I wouldn’t even pick for Wales.
I meant to pick Webb, brain fart typo there.
I think with 10s we are in a worse position than we were before last Lions when at least Sexton was good. As I said, with the rest of the team I can’t see a 90% kicker so Biggar goes in at 10 for me. As poor as he has been I can’t see a top quality kicker/10 to pick ahead of him right now. I’ve also gone for consistent 9/10 pair to, again, overcome the lack of 10 quality across the teams in general.
I picked Lee and once I had him in I couldn’t see a reason to breakup the unit – Hartley is ok but he’s not pushing Baldwin out for me. Best is hot and cold – when he’s on top form he’s one of the players I most admire but he’s been up and down this season. If I could rely on him being on form he’d my choice straight away.
Granted that as a Welshman for some of the units I do look at them starting with the Welsh guys and then “who is better in UK/IRE than X” and worryingly there’s not a lot on offer in some of the positions (10, hooker, loosehead) while stacks in others. These were marginal calls – I can see Englishmen picking Hartley, Irishmen picking Best, etc. and not have any issues with that.
Ok Webb makes sense at least, but I’d still pick Murray.
You don’t think Farrell is a 90% goal kicker? Not really convinced by that at all. Farrell, despite not playing 10 this 6 nations, has been a consistent kicker, kicker well out of hand and has also (to everyone’s surprise) managed to carry his passing/running game from Saracens into the test arena. I can’t really see past picking him there right now.
I really don’t like the idea of picking units to be honest – especially in the front row. The only units I’d be tempted to lean towards would be between hooker and jumper, and maybe half backs. But even then, I think top players, if the style and balance is right, should click quickly enough.
We’ll have to agree to disagree on the form of Evans and Baldwin – I’ve seen neither play in a way that suggests Lions form, and Hartley was immense against Wales. Best set piece hooker by a mile. As I mentioned, can’t see what’s not to like about Dickinson this 6 nations, and Nel for that matter.
Farrel isn’t in my team though – he’s not getting in at 12 ahead of Roberts and not at 10 ahead of Sexton/Biggar/Russell for me. It’s going to be interesting – I genuinely think there are better rugby players than him but he’s obviously going to be in the squad and I can’t think of a more objectionable rugby player so that no doubt makes me edge towards others in tight calls, It’ll be interesting if it comes down to cheering him on.
No problem with Nel at all – he is fantastic, think Lee edges it. As a front row the Welsh were excellent against the big packs in the tournament – Eng and Fra. Hartley still has a tendency to not actually hook but to rely on the scrum to walk forward over the ball. He is though a better thrower than Baldwin so it’s not clear cut for me.
In terms of units I was more harking back to my comment about thinking of selection that way, putting the welsh boys in my head where I can’t think of utter standouts, then playing mental games of “who’s better in Uk/Ire then these”. It’s a naturally biased approach obviously as my incumbents in lower quality positions will be Welsh.
I think Murray has been cold this season – not the nippy and dynamic of old, more reliance on his aggression and chuntering now than his wits and distribution.
I wouldn’t have Farrell at 12 when Henshaw is an option, not a chance. But I still can’t work out why you think he isn’t a 90% goal kicker? I can’t see what you think Biggar would bring to the table that Farrell doesn’t do better, plus Farrell has actually started taking the ball to the line. Biggar for me is at best a club 10, certainly not a test 10 – so I think it’d be awful for the Lions if he ended up getting in there.
I’d be perfectly happy with Sexton playing over Farrell but for me it’s only between those two. The more I think about Russell the more i realise I have no idea what his kicking is like since Laidlaw takes that role for Scotland.
Haha so your selection was more, I’m picking the Welsh team and only players that have really stood out can get the shirt off them. A lot like Gatland then ;)
“Haha so your selection was more, I’m picking the Welsh team and only players that have really stood out can get the shirt off them. A lot like Gatland then ;)”
Yes :-) I have terrible trouble with remembering names so I end up forgetting things like who plays 3 for England so yep, only the ones who regularly standout manage to make it into my head. I think it was still fairly ok – there were a lot of non-Welsh players in there, some natural bias and fondly remembered delight from these players playing well (I’m a fan, not a coach/pro-critic).
I think when Biggar is on form he is much better than your appraisal – his defence, his breaks (he does make them), his kick and chase (especially that, he is a master at this forward pass) and has been known to get Wales fizzing. It was he who played in a lot of our big wins in the last couple of years. He just isn’t doing it right now. I know you’re a long term member of the unconvinced about him.
Farrel is an amazing kicker – what I meant was that he’s not a better 10, for me, than Sexton/Biggar/Thingy-from-Scotland… And then there’s the whole objectionable player thing which, as I’m not a coach, I don’t have to look past….
Oh, and “Haha so your selection was more, I’m picking the Welsh team and only players that have really stood out can get the shirt off them. A lot like Gatland then ;)”
I only wish that at the mo that was how Gats worked….
That’s fair enough! I expect the team to be fairly similar if Gatland goes again to be honest.
On Biggar, I honestly can’t recall a time when I saw him breaking the line (or even taking it to the line) or pulling strings amongst a back line. I’ve even seem him struggle time and again to do it at club level for the Ospreys (who admittedly don’t have the best back line outside him).
His kick and chase to himself are brilliant though! Unfortunately, that for me is a bit like picking a hooker that can’t throw or scrummage because he nice hands. Must be able to do the basics first, which for a 10, has to be getting the back line flowing.
Completely understand your personal dislike of Farrell, can’t help but think he is a bit of a nob; but I think it makes him the player he is.
Nobody has stated the obvious:
1) Which group of players has the fortitude to not be cowed by the challenge of an away trip to NZ?
2) Who is the coach?
3) What type of rugby will we play to score more tries than the all blacks?
4) How many dickheads can we tolerate?
I also think that so much will happen between now and then that speculation should start at the coaching team, then imagine how they will think about selection.