The amount of times George Ford kicked the ball from hand and other outrageous Premiership Opta stats

It's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.

Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.

So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.

JW 1 hour ago

Haha he must have the decency not to post his 'Discuss' comments in your article then!

The man has some standards at least.

fl 1 hour ago

He was one of the better players because he didn't pass to those outside him.

If we picked Lawrence at 10 he'd also be our best player. He'd run it like 30 times a game, make metres most of those times, and would only pass the ball like 3 or 4 times, ensuring that no one else could run it more than him!

fl 1 hour ago

if Ford or Fin starts at 10 they will!

fl 1 hour ago

1) Ford has a similar gameplan to Fin, who is the real future at 10.

2) England were great against Ireland and France in the 6N, and haven't really looked good since. England should try to build on what they achieved in those games, which Marcus Smith has completely failed to do.

3) Steward was groomed for the 15 shirt since 2020. I actually don't understand why this matters, but given you put stock in things like this then surely it matters that he would be better suited to a 9 like JVP or Spencer with a great contestable kicking game than to someone like Randall. JVP was also groomed as the longterm successor to Youngs in 2022 and 2023.

4) Randall would also probably fail to get the best out of Freeman and Roebuck who also thrive when given balls to chase. Similarly Smith has failed to get the most out of literally any of the players outside of him.

fl 1 hour ago

Smith generally isn't well connected to his forward pods; doesn't do a great job of distributing to those around him; and has inferior positional and contestable kicking games than Ford and Fin.

When England have had success over the past few years, its been either through (i) defensive rugby backed up with smart tactical kicking or (ii) high possession attacking phase play based on quick ruck ball. George Ford was key to the implementation of (i) in the RWC, and in the 6N win over Wales, and to the implementation of (ii) in the 6N games against Ireland and France. Smith did great at (ii) when running at tired defenders at the end of the Ireland match, but has never successfully implemented that gameplan from the start of a test because he doesn't distribute or support his forwards enough to create consistent fast ball and build attacks over multiple phases. Instead, his introduction to the starting side has resulted in much more playmaking responsibilities being forced onto whoever plays 9. Alex Mitchell copes ok with that, but I think he looks better with a more involved playmaking 10 outside him, and it really isn't a gameplan that works for JVP or Spencer. As a result of that the outside backs and centres have barely touched the ball when Smith has been at 10.

This might not have been too much of a disaster, as England have seemed to be moving slightly towards the sort of attacking gameplan that France played under Labit and Quins play (I think this was especially their approach when they won the league a few years ago - but its still a part of their play now), which is based on kicking to create broken field rugby. This is (i) a sharp departure from the gameplans that have worked for England in the past few seasons; (ii) bears very little relation to the tactical approaches of the non-Quins players in the England team; and (iii) is an absolute disaster for the blitz defence, which is weak in transition. Unsurprisingly, it has coincided with a sharp decline in England's results.

Stormers sink Sharks with late Jean-Luc du Plessis try

Ace 2 hours ago

The Stormers sloppiness show that they are a poorly coached side. Fortunately for them, so are the Sharks.

There are tougher opponents waiting and they will be punished heavily unless the coaching improves dramatically.

1 Go to comments

ned griffin 2 hours ago

Sam prendergast started a scrap then walk away to let his team mates to finish that's wat I call cowardly

YeowNotEven 4 hours ago

Well if my beloved Chiefs or All Blacks ever get protection from world rugby and biased referee decisions, I expect a better record than the odd RC or SR title once every blue moon.

Otherwise it suspiciously looks like there is no evidence, just opinion.

Rob 4 hours ago

Usually do to be fair

MU1981 4 hours ago

Not sure where this player analysis came from but there is some seriously questionable stuff on here about some players .

Rob 4 hours ago

A lot of these rating posts make more sense if you read them as if the auther only watched the first half

ZamaZama 5 hours ago

No, you haven't owned anyone. All you have done is to prove, once again and to everyone, that you're a ridiculous clown. People regard you with a mixture of derision and pity.

Leinster batter Munster at Thomond Park to remain undefeated

RedWarrior 5 hours ago

That was Munster playing very well (albeit with a weakened team) going out of their skin to get 7. Leinster had a try for 35 disallowed at the death.

Last year Leinster conceded 19 pts per match in the league phase. Half way through this year its 12 pts. Leinster have to play Bulls and Sharks away during the 6N this year. While I expect them to lose, I expect them to be competitive as all players are familiar with the Nienaber defense. Snyman and Barrett will be available too.

With Glasgow and Sharks losing I think Leinster will be able to comfortably ensure home advantage in all URc knock out matches this year.

A lot of talk is of how many Toulouse are scoring. Maybe it should be on how few Leinster are conceding. First major contender clash this year as La Rochelle Host Leinster. We may get more accurate indications of Leinsters progression then.

1 Go to comments

NE 5 hours ago

Facts are facts. Deal with them, you certainly can’t change them.

NE 5 hours ago

Owned you, again. Boring. Grow up.

Robespierre 6 hours ago

Here, all joking aside, did you actually watch this game? VDF was easily a player-of-the-match contender, and Porter & Slimani were both excellent in the scrums. Baird didn't suffer in "miserable conditions", it was a perfect winter night for rugby -- no wind, no rain, not particularly cold.

Oh and Ross Byrne's kicking wasn't his problem, it was everything else. I think you may have over-indulged on the mulled wine, Señor Cameron.

Every country in the world where you can be paid to play rugby

HU 7 hours ago

so 2 conclusions:

1. there are basically 6 leagues with a total of 80 clubs where a player can make a living out of his passion .... gives space for roughly around 2'500 jobs worldwide

2. France is way ahead in professionalism (within rugby), which is doesn't come as a surprise, bearing in mind, rugby in the "commonwealth-world" having been regarded as a white collar sport for gentlemen, not having to bother in finding a job to cater for their lifestyle, whereas in France it's a grassroots sport

DH 8 hours ago

This looks like it was written through gritted teeth