Christmas costs Cockers
Losing to Exeter away and Saracens at home wouldn’t normally be results that determined a coaches position, but they were the downfall of Richard Cockerill. He was made to pay for a Leicester Tigers team that seems to have been stagnating this season. The respective 31-10 and 16-12 losses left them cast adrift in fifth place, and only looking down.
As a Tigers fan myself, it felt like the right move. The people bemoaning that our sport is going the way of football are wrong. He had had a long time in the role and, barring a miracle premiership win, would have probably been going at the end of the season anyway. They weren’t looking like a top 4 team, so what did Tigers have to lose by changing now? His methods and style were perhaps a little outdated, so a change was due. He has given the East Midlanders a lot, and has them in his blood, but it was time. There are other issues that need sorting as well, mind.
Back to back wins see teams rise
Five teams recorded back to back wins over Christmas, and with the number of unpredictable games on the fixture list, that was no mean feat.
Wasps were perhaps the biggest winners, after smashing fellow high fliers Bath (in perhaps their most complete performance of the season) and beating Newcastle away, both with bonus points. This meant they leapfrogged Saracens at the top. The North Londoners also beat Newcastle 21-6, in addition to their win over Leicester. Vitally, they didn’t get a bonus point in either match, however, and found themselves actually slipping to second.
Bristol’s season also seems to be well back on track. The newcomers to the league got their first win of the season at home to Worcester to drag themselves within two points of the Warriors (importantly, Worcester kept at arms length with a win over Harlequins on Sunday). They didn’t stop there, they beat Sale away the following week 24-23, bringing the Manchester side into the scrap as well. Tom Varndell equalled the premiership try scoring record that week, bagging a hat trick.
Exeter rocketed up from fifth to third, smashing the Tigers and then trumping Bath 17-11 at the Rec. It felt like a defining period for the Chiefs, who started the season so poorly, but now look like real contenders once more. The double losses made Bath sink to fourth. Northampton were the other team that won both games, edging Gloucester 13-12 and comfortably beating Sale 24-5.
In the other game, Harlequins beat Gloucester 28-24 at Twickenham.
Munster, Ospreys and Glasgow swinging in Pro12
The Pro12 mostly played out as expected, with Munster continuing their ominously good form at the top, beating Irish rivals Leinster and Connacht, 29-17 and 16-9 respectively. Ospreys also got a double in the seasonal derbies, although not overly convincingly. They beat Dragons and Scarlets in low-scoring encounters. Glasgow won the battle of the Scots 25-12 in Edinburgh, which they followed up with a 35-28 win at Treviso.
Cardiff won one and lost one, as did Edinburgh, Leinster, Ulster, Treviso and Scarlets. Meaning three teams (Connacht, Zebre and Dragons) had a miserable winter, with only losses as a Christmas present. Blues posted a win over Dragons, but went down to Scarlets 15-10 on New Years Day. Edinburgh just about overcame their loss to Glasgow, eking out the points 24-19 against Zebre. Leinster also bounced back from a loss, beating Ulster a week after their match against Munster. Ulster had beaten Connacht the preceding week 23-7. Treviso won the big Italian derby 23-12.
The playoff picture now looks like this: Munster and Ospreys occupy the home berths, with Leinster a little way behind. The battle for fourth is very tight, with Scarlets currently leading Glasgow and Ulster in striking distance.
Manu Tuilagi named in England squad, and then injured again
Having just been named in the England training squad, Tuilagi limped off the field with yet another injury, raising the question of whether we’ll ever seem him in an England jersey again.
The other things to note from that England squad were the omission of stalwart Alex Goode, and the continued absence of Danny Cipriani. The injuries are also mounting again, with both Vunipolas missing, as well as Chris Robshaw, but Jones has insisted that Dylan Hartley will remain as England captain, if fit.
Festive discussion
Unfortunately, I got to read very little and watch even less over the holidays. For this reason, I have removed the weekly awards and replaced them with a few topics to discuss. For the same reason, the blog is certainly a lot shorter than normal, for which I apologise, but here are some things we need to talk about.
Were Tigers right to sack Cockerill?
Can Exeter mount a serious challenge to Wasps and Saracens?
Who is looking likely to make the Pro12 playoffs (particularly the tightly contested fourth spot)?
What was the try of the festive season?
Winter rugby, good or bad? Great time for fans to watch, but does produce poorer games.
How will the World Rugby directives around contact to the head change our game?
By Joe Large
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Can I edit your second question slightly to or Bath? Yes, they suffered the double loss over the Christmas break and certainly in the Christmas Eve game there seemed to be more than just an eye on the next day’s turkey wrong with the performance (but Wasps were on ominous form and I’m not sure if anyone apart from sarries would have kept them in check when they are playing like that)…. but as for the second game it was essentially a reverse of the Sandy Park fixture, if a few more things had gone Bath’s way in the first half they would have been out of sight by half time and as it was Exeter just clung on to sneak it at the death, but I really don’t think there is much between the two teams at the moment as next best in the premiership after the clear runaway leaders, hence if you ask the question of Exeter, I feel you have to ask the same of Bath to? (I am a Bath fan so there is some bias but I feel I can make a good case for that?
As for the answer to either question, then it is the same and it is no in both cases, Sarries and Wasps both seem to have very complete games at the moment with well balanced squads/line-ups, good depth and very settled, both Bath and Exeter can name very strong first Xvs who one their days can compete, but Exeter aren’t quite firing on all cylinders in attack at the moment and it was the same in Bath depsite coming off the back of a big win against Tigers and Bath are still finding their feet under a new coach, and despite a very good new signing in Tapuai are still lacking in squad depth and the structure to consistently compete (they remind me a bit at the moment of England under Eddie Jones early on, defence is doing well but attack isn’t quite there yet).
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I agree with this. As an Exeter fan I am really pleased with our performance over the Christmas period bearing in mind we normally never do well at this time of year.
I wouldn’t say there is much at all between Chiefs and Bath at the moment but cant see either of them turning over Wasps or Sarries away from home in the likely playoff matchups.
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Was at the game NYE and was really pleased with Bath’s performance for about 70 minutes. Looked very comfortable in defence (as did Exeter) and should have converted more of the possession to points.
Nowell looked back to his best and Roko was just another level. Every time he touches the ball you expect something special and his nearly-try was brilliant. How he isn’t ahead of Yarde in the England pecking order I do not know.
Tapui has been a great signing but I think they need a bit more creativity when it comes to the backs. Having Watson is a big plus and I am hopeful that Bath will make the playoffs.
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I was watching the game on TV and there was actually a really interesting insight into why Roko is behind in the pecking order, it must have been at some point in the first half because they covered it in the first half analysis, but I can’t find the timing quickly scanning the first half on the premiership website (not enough time to watch it in full).
Anyway, it follows one of our many forays into Exeter’s 22 during that half and there is a long range clearing kick into space and because we were in full on attack mode the cover isnt deep so Bath players have to track back, in that sequence, Roko and a forward (can’t remember who) are heading back towards the ball, but then Ford comes scorching past both to gather the ball and clean up.
We don’t know what the onfield communication was in that situation to fully judge, however, it did look like Roko was just jogging a bit (certainly he is quicker than Ford at full tilt) and supposedly Eddie is looking for people who put in the hard yards no matter what the situation, so that no matter how good you look in attack, if you go missing in defence like that, even if it is only occasional, that is a little negative against your name in Eddie’s thinking?
Contrast that to another highlight they showed of Nowell, who made a try saving tackle in the corner on the wrong wing, having sprinted full acroos from the opposite side on the 22 and you can see they made a strong argument on hwo supposedly Eddie likes to run the ship/criteria on which he makes selection.
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I appreciate that doesn’t explain Yarde, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless…
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I will have to give the highlights a re-watch. That is an interesting point. I thought it was because of his positioning but work rate could be the key too.
I would say though that the other time, in the first half, roko tracked back to fetch a kick he did get back nonchalantly but once he had picked the ball up was immediately looking to attack the line and that was in the build up to the try saving tackle by Nowell. He may know he has the time to get back and giving the oppo time to get up creates more space in behind for him/Bath to counter?
Again I’m just speculating. Nowell will come straight back in for England, he is a class, well rounded operator.
As you say this doesn’t explain why Yarde – who isn’t anywhere near as productive in attack, or as good in defence (he misses more tackles than Roko) – is ahead of Roko…but its interesting 😉
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Just to further this tv analysis up, it doesn’t help Roko’s case that there is an argument to say that he cost Bath the game against Exeter. I would be the first to say that this is harsh! but check the highlight reel – Roko isn’t covering Short correctly on either occasion. You can argue the bobbling ball in C-Ds hand is enough to put anyone off, and ditto the loose ball flicking to Steeno, but all the same, with a man such as Eddie Jones who is so focused on details like that (which are proven to swing matches!) you can see why it counts against his defensive record in Jones’s book. Crucially the Steeno flick to Short need not have given the winning pass – if Roko hadn’t tried to dive on the ball going backwards alongside his inside man, and had stayed out on Short, Bath might well have won the match instead. Likewise being fended off by Short on the first try, missing the try-saving tackle. Put it this way; as an Exeter fan I went from cursing Roko for the first 70 to thanking him personally by the final whistle! Small niggles, but this is exactly what Jones wont want to see from him, sadly.
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Agree on these points about Roko’s work rate / defensive positioning.
When you look at Eddie’s preference for speedster wing and work rate wing, and Nowell has a performance like that, it’s hard to argue.
Anyone else notice that Ford definitely seems to be trying to run the ball more himself since Jones mentioned it following the AIs?
He did it a couple of times against Exeter And cut through the line only for the support or final pass to be off. Good signs though?
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I was considering putting Bath into the question, and they would have been worthy. Their early season form had already had people talking about them, whereas Exeter’s surge has been recent.
I feel like they are more or less evenly matched, but both are a way off the top two. I can see Exeter mounting a more serious challenge though, as I think they are on a high and will punish any slip ups, particularly without Europe to think of.
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Yes
No
Glasgow
Cipriani vs Newcastle
Bad
More inconsistency from refs and citation boards
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Here’s another conversation topic. Any thoughts on the England EPS announced during the break seems to have passed everyone by.
Main talking points:
*Goode dropped entirely
*Rocko included in EPS but not invited to training camp while Yarde is
*Clifford included in EPS but not invited to training camp while Williams is also Harrison not included in EPS but invited to training camp as injury cover. What does all that mean for pecking order?
*Robson and Spencer both in EPS but not at camp
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Not sure on the pecking order. Why you would have someone in the EPS and not invite them to camp is beyond me! Eddie knows best, I guess.
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Though Saracens won against Leicester I think Goode had a poor game. Didn’t influence with ball in hand and made some pretty poor mistakes in defence; gifting Leicester a line out deep in Saracens 22 and being shepherded back over the dead-ball line.
He hasn’t been a positive influence for England after a few call-ups so not sure he will be that missed.
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Goode being dropped is not much of a shock to me. Apart from a couple of clever kicks to set up others for good tries, his general form hasn’t been up to his usual standards. Coupled with the fact that his style of full back play doesn’t work with the Ford/Farrell axis and he is surplus to requirements.
I expect him to work his way back in if Ford or Farrell get crocked.
I thought Roko had been added to the camp after Tuilagi got injured again?
On the Cockers front I think it’s a real shame. As said some of his methods are a little outdated and I’m sure some of those methods are partly responsible for the high level of injured players.
Anyone else think that Tuilagi might be better off moving to another club? Could there be something in the way that Tigers have managed him that is a factor for his continuous injuries, or is he just the most unlucky player in the Premiership?
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I think with Tui its mainly too much gym not enough stretching and flexibility work as his main issues have been Groin and Hamstring.
The knee issue is unlucky and not much he could have done to avoid it
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Yeah the knee was definitely an unlucky one. I just can’t help thinking that something they are doing at Tigers with the strength and conditioning is not helping players? Particularly players recovering from injuries such as Tuilagi.
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Wonder whether Kingston will be looking over his shoulder now Cockers needs a job.
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Not sure if Cockerill would be considered a good fit for Quins
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I’ve thought that Saints is a club that could do with a freshen up at the top given that they dropped out of the top four last season and don’t really look like they have any new ideas to change that…
[ducks for cover]
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Yes we could do with a freshen up but not sure Cockers is the right man to do it
Certainly wouldn’t be popular with the fans to see someone with so much history with our main rivals
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Personally my preference would have been to see Pat Lam return to the Gardens but that boat has sailed
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Lancaster is still available!! I wonder how he would fit in at Tigers or Saints?
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Like a crooked stick up a straight pipe Dazza. Besides, he looks to be thoroughly enjoying life in Ireland.
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I’m not sure Cockers would be considered much of a fit for any Premiership teams?
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With Rowntree there already I think you are probably right Pablito. A certain amount of “creative tension” possibly. Still, Quins away record is simply not acceptable and things will have to improve soon or Kingston will be out on his ear. If Sale don’t start winning a few tight games soon Cockers might fit quite well there. Certainly don’t see him going to France or dropping out of the. Prem.
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OK, I definitely called that one wrong!
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His record looked at objectively reads very well on paper! Loaded with cups and honours (both team and personal with Leicester and for England respectively) including a famous win over NZ as a player if i remember rightly when he went ‘nose to nose’ with his opposite number controversially disrupting the haka!
Job well done!
Yes Leicester might want to ‘freshen things up’ with a new face with some new ideas but i expect him to land a new signing and plumb job without any shakes of a cat’s tail whatsoever.
If Sam Allardyce can do it in footy i see no barriers to Cocker’s reemployment though his style is apparently ‘over shouty’ in the changing room and has alienated some including Mauger.
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AlexD
Why is Mauger there & Cockers not… do you think?
Perhaps because the game’s not about paper & past history, but about forward thinking, innovation & results.
Cockerill got stuck. He reportedly ‘clashed’ with Mauger, presumably about style of play & his results, e.g. v Munster, indicated that Leicester had fallen off the stage too often.
And as for his his ‘disrupting’ the Haka, it counted for diddley it seems.
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I think the tenet of what i was saying was that he would get another job no probs. No other point was being made there unless it is in your imagination Don which more often than not seems to be the case sadly.
This forum is not for your personal chips on shoulder vis a vis people on here or the nationality to which they adhere!
“The time for honouring youself is at an end” said one famous Kiwi in a well known and oft quoted Hollywood movie!
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AlexD
Responded to (in part) what you posted & Cockers has indeed got a new job as you predicted, so we’ll see how he goes.
But why would I need a chip with NZ’s record?
H’ever, thanks for yr usual lecture… & on how to post. Are you from the Behavour Police?
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