Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Low frills Premiership return encapsulated by excessive 148 penalty count across five matches

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Rugby in England has got off to a rather muted start following its 23-week coronavirus pandemic lockdown, an excessively high penalty count – 148 penalties across the five Gallagher Premiership matches so far in round 14 – illustrating the stop-start nature of the restart proceedings. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The hopes surrounding the long-awaited restart was for stars such as new Sale signing Manu Tuilagi and new Bristol recruit Semi Radradra to light up the Premiership action. 

However, moments of off-your-seat action were at a premium, limited to the incidents such as the sweet Exeter try finished by Stuart Hogg versus Leicester and the 80-metre intercept dart by Bath’s Ben Spencer versus London Irish.        

Video Spacer

Sale owner Simon Orange guests on the season five opening episode of The Rugby Pod, the show fronted by Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton

Video Spacer

Sale owner Simon Orange guests on the season five opening episode of The Rugby Pod, the show fronted by Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton

Instead, the top-flight restart became bogged down by the renewed emphasis which the referees in England placed on certain facets on the game, namely the breakdown.

This sterner policing, allied to the general rustiness of the teams, resulted in the awarding of 148 penalties in the five matches, Leicester and Bristol being the biggest Premiership offenders as they each conceded 22 penalties in games which featured a respective weekend high of 36 and 35 penalties. 

The increase was reflective of what happened when Super Rugby initially made its return in New Zealand in June, 60 penalties being awarded in its two opening weekend matches. 

By round three, that count in Aotearoa had fallen to just 30 in their two matches and a similar decrease will now be desired in the Premiership to help improve the flow of the action after the league’s resumption following its five-month stoppage. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The curious thing about the number of infringements in England was that the match which produced the fewest penalties – Worcester vs Gloucester at Sixways – saw the weekend’s sole red card, Melani Nanai sent off for his 18th-minute collision with Jonny May.  

ROUND 14 PREMIERSHIP PENALTY COUNT

36 penalties at Ashton Gate – Bristol 22 Saracens 14 

35 at Sandy Park – Exeter 13 Leicester 22

28 at The Rec – Bath 15 London Irish 13 

27 at The Stoop – Harlequins 11 Sale 16

22 at Sixways – Worcester 12 Gloucester 10

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
SK 18 minutes ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

Who are the best Full backs in the world right now? Ramos and Keenan appear a step above and the leaders in class, Le Roux is old but still a class act. All of these players are outstanding in their own right and all of them can do multiple things very well. They peel off territory with outstanding kicking in both attacking and defensive zones. They are all excellent under the high ball. They are all playmakers who step into the line at times at first receiver or in midfield and distribute perfectly to the edge. They can all function as strike runners or link players bringing others into the game. They are also all good as last line defenders. Now look at Jordan. A class act in his own way, an epic strike and broken-field runner. He is able to burst into space with intent, pace and power. He is an elite finisher and a really good one on one defender who is a solid last line of defence. He chips into space really well and regathers very nicely. He is however not a creative link and creates primarily for himself. He sees opportunities which he can exploit individually and rarely brings others into the game. He is not a big picture player. He is decent under the high ball but by no means outstanding. He is unable to control the pace of the game all that well, he doesn't always make the best decisions especially in his third as he is so zoned in on attack and does not control territory well. His boot is not as prodigious or educated as the aforementioned 15's. Jordan is a complete winger but he is nowhere near as complete a full back. He limits Robertsons options in terms of playmaking ability and that means more responsibility for the 10. There is a general acceptance of this and as long as Jordan is at 15 the 10 will have to shoulder the playmaking responsibility with Jordan sniffing out opportunities from the back. Jordie needs to give support in this regard and Robertson needs to give him more freedom to create. With Jordan at 15 does he really need Ioane at 13? Perhaps the AB's are focusing too much on strike runners and not enough attention on playmaking.

52 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Paddy Jackson's second season at Lyon is all but over – report Paddy Jackson's second season at Lyon is all but over – report
Search