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'He's pretty unique in terms of his skill set for loosehead prop'

(Photo by Alex Davidson/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Saracens have explained how chuffed they have been with the input of Mako Vunipola in recent months, outlining that he adopted an Owen Farrell-like coaching perspective off the pitch while injured before quickly returning to form when he finally got to play again following a ten-week injury layoff. 

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The 31-year-old limped off with an ankle syndesmosis problem in the March 5 win over Leicester and an operation was required for him to overcome that issue. Much like England and Saracens skipper Farrell did when he was out injured and was seen assisting his club coaches, assistant Kevin Sorrell has now outlined that Vunipola did likewise while he was sidelined. 

It was the weekend of May 14 when the prop was passed fit and he has since started twice, versus Toulon in the Challenge Cup semi-finals and again the following week against Northampton in the Gallagher Premiership before ending also his England exile with a recall for a three-day training camp in London.  

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Bristol and England’s Dave Attwood joins the guys this week to reveal some loose stories from a well-traveled career. We hear about his run-in with Owen Farell, why his modern man approach didn’t go down well with a certain head coach, and skiing in France with the Galacticos of Toulon. We also get Dave’s first-hand account of Carl Fearns and Gavin Henson’s bust-up and the fallout from Sam Burgess’ move to Bath.

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Bristol and England’s Dave Attwood joins the guys this week to reveal some loose stories from a well-traveled career. We hear about his run-in with Owen Farell, why his modern man approach didn’t go down well with a certain head coach, and skiing in France with the Galacticos of Toulon. We also get Dave’s first-hand account of Carl Fearns and Gavin Henson’s bust-up and the fallout from Sam Burgess’ move to Bath.

It left Saracens backs coach Sorrell delighted with the influence recently wielded by Vunipola. “When he wasn’t on the pitch for those ten weeks had an impact off the pitch with his rugby intelligence,” explained the coach to RugbyPass ahead of this weekend’s Premiership game at Gloucester. 

“Mako is a smart player and he has been able to sit with other coaches and players and help them in terms of feedback or ideas for what we need in certain games.

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“He was still massively active even though he wasn’t involved on the pitch. On the pitch, he is pretty unique in terms of his skill set for a loosehead prop, what he can do on the ball and then obviously what he can create around him as well. It’s nice having him back on the pitch,” continued Sorrell, highlighting the advantages of a seasoned player having a rare layoff.

“It’s a real treadmill, some of those boys in terms of game time and what they do. You don’t want enforced breaks but it’s an opportunity to freshen up not only your body but your mind as well. 

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“We did it with Owen as well (having him up in the stand for games). When Owen wasn’t playing we got him up into the box to see two ways really, to see how we operate and what we talk about during the game so that the players have that perspective when they go back out onto the pitch. 

“But also to get their opinion as well because they have got a different set of eyes, a different brain, so it’s just getting their shared opinions really to see how they can make an impact on the performance on the pitch.”

Having coached the backs since 2012/13 as part of a coaching group that has given long service to Saracens, Sorrell added that the viewpoints of the likes of Vunipola and Farrell were refreshing.  

“Definitely. As the group has developed, that is where the trust of the coaches is in terms of our involvement and what we can do with them, how we can use those players and when they own it, it’s brilliant. We have got some unbelievable senior players who drive things week to week to week, so when they feel like they are steering the ship it’s good.” 

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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