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What The Fox? Four talking points from the weekend's Six Nations

Italy flummoxed England with their no-ruck 'fox' policy

Italy flummox England with an obscure rucking tactic, the Lions captaincy picture changes yet again, and… could Scotland win the Triple Crown?

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The anti-ruck tactic
It’s the only topic from England’s match against Italy – nevermind that the hosts ended up scoring six tries in a bonus-point win. ‘The Fox’, as the Italians called it, flummoxed Eddie Jones’s men for the better part of an entire half. Now, you can question the length of time it took for them to work it out. You can mention the fact it has been used before – in Super Rugby, in the European Championship, and even in sevens. You can laugh at James Haskell and Dylan Hartley’s attempts to understand what was going on, and giggle knowingly at referee Romain Poite’s dismissive, ‘I’m sorry, I’m a referee, not a coach’ rejoinder. The fact is no side has ever been subjected to such intense use of the anti-ruck tactic as England were on Sunday. The Azzurri operated within the confines of the laws of the game, but did they remain true to its spirit – and does it really need World Rugby to change the laws? Eddie Jones and George Ford seem to think so. It’s a two-pint discussion at least. Reaching a conclusion may take one more round.

Has AWJ blown his Lions captaincy chances?
Wales’s Alun Wyn Jones has for some time been a strong favourite to lead the Lions on the summer tour of New Zealand – despite the fact that he has remained firmly under head coach Warren Gatland’s captaincy radar for just about his entire Wales career. Until the start of this year’s Six Nations, Jones had captained Wales in just one match, in 2009. Gatland, who has been in charge of Wales for all-but one year of Jones’s international career has preferred Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jones, Ryan Jones, Matthew Rees, Sam Warburton, and even Bradley Davies, to the lock. And, now he is captain, AWJ has done his Lions chances no favours with what seemed to be a weak change of mind during the defeat against Scotland. His dithering as Wales crashed and burned in the second half at Murrayfield hinted at a player not entirely comfortable with his role, and that moment when he allowed Dan Biggar to change his mind over an eminently kickable penalty was embarrassing. 

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Guy Novès really does deserve more time
Ireland was not good for France. Johnny Sexton’s tactical nous and Conor Murray’s brilliance kept Les Bleus at arm’s length for large portions of the game. But, when France were given the chance to attack, they were dangerous and brilliant and inventive. They are clearly on the right road. While patience is now starting to wear very thin in France for the Guy Novès project, he needs more time. His impact has not been as marked as Eddie Jones with England, despite the fact that both coaches started at about the same time. But where Jones inherited a team in crisis, Novès inherited an entire system in chaos.

Scotland’s Triple Crown chances … and vital World Rankings
Almost unnoticed in the Six Nations roar is the fact that if Scotland beat England at Twickenham on Saturday, March 11, they will win not just the Calcutta Cup but the Triple Crown as well. If that would not be reason enough to celebrate, they will have one more match – against Italy at Murrayfield – to move into World Rugby’s top four, which comes with a top seeding at the draw for the 2019 Rugby World Cup on May 10. Meanwhile, Wales and France are both looking nervously over their shoulders after their latest defeats. A turnaround in fortunes is needed if they are to avoid dropping below eighth – which would put them in the third tier for the World Cup draw. France, at least, have Italy in their future. For Wales, it’s Ireland, then France. The two side’s final Six Nations match could have plenty riding on it.

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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 3 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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