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'I see them being Ireland’s biggest competitor in the next couple of years'

Press Association

Former Ireland scrumhalf Peter Stringer has pinpointed England as Ireland’s main competitors going forward, following what in the end turned out to be a closely contested Six Nations campaign.

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Despite Ireland’s triumph, it was their penultimate game — a loss to England at Twickenham — that might people sit up and take notice of England, who had theretofore disappointed.

England’s unyielding intensity throughout the 80 minutes showcased the high stakes of the rivalry, with Ireland narrowly missing out on a win. This match – according to Stringer – highlighted England’s standing as a formidable opponent for Ireland going forward.

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    “The game against England at Twickenham – which, for me, was the best game of the tournament – was a prime example,” Stringer told Betway. “England played at an incredibly high intensity for 80 minutes, and Ireland could still have nicked it. It was a disappointing result, but it’s a mark of where Ireland have got to.

    “England were relentless for the whole game. They dominated those tackles more often than not, and the knock-on effect at the breakdown just stopped Ireland from playing. What is normally two-second ruck ball become four-second ruck ball, meaning receivers had to stall their runs and couldn’t come onto the ball at pace.

    “I thought England were incredible in the last two games and, for me, Ben Earl was the standout player in the tournament. They look like they’re really building something under Steve Borthwick and I see them being Ireland’s biggest competitor in the next couple of years with some of the uncertainty around France and their coaching staff.”

    Despite the emergence of England as a force, Stringer sees Ireland as being in a strong position.

    “Without a shadow of a doubt, Ireland would have taken back-to-back championships – albeit without a second consecutive Grand Slam – before the tournament began. The fact they did so without playing particularly well in some of their games just shows what a good place Irish rugby is currently in.

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    “There’s a real continuity in the team no matter who plays. Johnny Sexton was Andy Farrell’s coach on the field – he was the eyes and the voice that controlled everything – but Jack Crowley has really stepped up to the plate in that key position. There had a few injuries, which is always disruptive, but Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw and Ciaran Frawley just slotted in when required.

    “They’re so well-drilled, with a real focus and cohesion that means teams have got to be at their very best for 80 minutes to beat them. That’s a very difficult place to get to, and I can only see it growing from here.”

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    Comments

    52 Comments
    S
    Samson 331 days ago

    England need to change their game if they are going to become competitive. Their tour to Japan then to Nz to play the mighty AB'S will find them out. It is strange that everyone forgets how strong the Southern hemisphere teams really are.

    J
    Jen 332 days ago

    Ireland is a great team but there seems to be a lot of bloviating about them at the moment. Apparently we’re also pretending that SH teams don’t exist and the RWC never happened.

    B
    Bull Shark 332 days ago

    This is a good article to pin to the scrapbook. Reflect on in July.

    m
    monty 332 days ago

    The sheer fact of Ireland coming out of the blocks so strong set the pace of the tournament. England hung on to their shirt tales be it a slow start for them. The rest of the comp was marginsl but big improvements were evident, unfortunately too little too late. From a kiwi perspective it was an incredible campaign to watch. Can’t wait for next season

    f
    finn 332 days ago

    I think things are going to be really really close between England, Ireland, & France for the next few years.

    Ireland are the best attacking team the world has ever seen, but will struggle to sustain it given the advanced age of their key players. England are starting from a position of weakness, but have the best gameplan. France have the best strength in depth and the best prospects for squad development.

    A
    Andrew 332 days ago

    I enjoyed the tight games in this year's 6N, regardless of who won.
    And I'm really excited about the improvement of Italy and England.
    Rugby needs a strong Northern Hemisphere and the RWC needs strong NH teams competing with strong SH sides.
    (Which will in turn force tier 2 and Pacific nation teams to up their game).

    Quite frankly, rugby routs are boring to watch.

    But a World Cup where every team that makes it out of the group stages has a real, not just on paper, but a very real chance of winning the World Cup, now that is a mouth watering prospect.

    T
    Turlough 332 days ago

    Stringer was writing England off a few weeks ago so take with a pinch of salt.
    France have the talent emerge as the strongest 6N team in the coming years with Ireland/England coming next. France had a defensive weakness at 10-12. England scored 2 easy tries this way. That wont be available next year. If France adapt to be able to defeat Ireland and England then it will take a lot to stop them. We may have another farce RWC draw and schedule, who knows, but France have the ability to be a lot better than in 2023.
    Ireland need to be able to employ a comprehensive (short) kicking game. We need to be able to hurt teams who rush defend or commit few to rucks and hold a big defensive line.

    S
    SonnyG 332 days ago

    England’s biggest competitor is themselves and the lack of continuity. Lucky for them they seem to thrive in the chaos that this fosters. Ireland are scarily consistent this early in a RWC cycle but need to be careful they don’t become too predictable and overly reliant on pre-drilled movements - something England took advantage of well.

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    JW 58 minutes ago
    'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

    Sorta “rent a comment” kinda guy really.

    Haha yep another great way to say it.


    Look I actually agree with the guy, he might have heard something said and seeing as he loves to make a spotlight, and be in it, he decided/mistakenly came up with this headline grabber?


    Despite what I already said was the actual idea for the topic he mistook, I think, at this particular moment, there are plenty of situations people should be sticking. I’m OK with the Dmac situation if its just until Stevenson and Etene start sharing the Fullback job. I’m OK with Barrett being left at 15 and Perofeta being given the job to displace Plummer (easy task for him imo) as the first five (with the ABs in mind). But pretty much all the others, like your suggestions, they are far off optimal understanding of their core positions so should be trying to specialize for a couple of years. Think Ioane and Proctor, one or the other, not trying to get both on. Barrett or ALB/Higgins/Lam, Sititi and Sotutu at 8, Finau/Haig/all the 6’s injured or gone etc.


    From Razors perspective, of a coach on the limit of what can be achieved, he wants to a balance of core and niche. Having players able to cover situations when your down a man, through card or because he’s lying on the ground, you want your players to be adaptable. Does this mean he’d like them to learn that adaptable by playing other positions fully, like for a whole game in another position, or just as in terms of their skills sets. Because if you apply what I suggested Razor was referring to as “four” positions, wingers can be very useful in other roles like a carrying 12, or a pilferring 7, let alone benefit from a tight relationship and understand of what a 13 is trying to do for them.


    This concept applies to pretty much every single position. Take your(my) Lock example, theyre now lifters, they can (size and shape allowing) ruck and maul like the front row, run like a back and offload like a basketballer. Many recent young locks of of this rangy razzle dazle variety.


    Personally I really like and think that adding versatility is inevitable with the amount of training and really early highperformance skill/athleticism work they get through. Max Hicks looked interesting as a 2m beanpole playing openside in France, PSDT showing the frame is certainly viable (as apposed to the typical 6 playing lock), opensides really need a running/carry side to their play these days and could easily play in midfield. Halfbacks are starting to play standing up straight rather than low to the ground, how cool would it have been if the Hurricanes had decided to retain Preston by switching Roigard to 10 for this season? Like Leroy Carter they’re already good wingers with the right pace. I do really see the back three players staying were they are for the most part though, unless theyre special players like Dmac.

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