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Wasps: The Blair difference at Edinburgh compared to Cockerill

(Photo by PA)

Wasps boss Lee Blackett is braced for a very different Edinburgh threat this Saturday now that the Scottish side is coached by Mike Blair compared to Richard Cockerill. The English club were beaten 31-20 in December 2019 when they last visited the Scottish capital for a European Challenge Cup game. 

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That result was doubled down on the following week when Edinburgh came to Coventry to win a dour pool rematch 9-7 against Wasps. But with Blair having since taken over the reins at the Scots following the departure of Cockerill last summer, Blackett reckons they will pose a different type of danger when the clubs meet in a Challenge Cup quarter-final at the new stadium built on the Murrayfield back pitch. 

“If you take them a couple of years ago when we last played them they had a massive kicking mentality, a massive set-piece focus when Cockers was up there, Since Mike has gone there they have changed the game slightly,” explained director of rugby Blackett, who was assistant to Dai Young when Wasps last played Edinburgh away.  

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“Defensively they have got the best defence in URC I think, they are right up there statistically and they don’t concede many points. In eight games this season they conceded ten points or less so if we think going up there it is going to be a 45-35 game, it ain’t going to be happening. We know how big an arm wrestle this game is going to be and how tight it is going to be. 

“They have got internationals throughout the side, got a really aggressive kicking game so that will challenge us in certain areas and since Mike has taken over they are ranked one as well for possession in the URC.

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“So they are a team that is going to hold on to the ball for long periods and, like I said, defensively they have been really good so we are fully aware. Bath went up there a couple of weeks ago and got fairly heavily beaten in the end so we know we are going to have to be at our best.”

Wasps travel to Scotland on the back of surrendering a 25-point lead in the final 13 minutes to allow London Irish hit back for a Gallager Premiership draw last weekend. However, they didn’t lose and it means they take a seven-game unbeaten run with them across the border.

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“There are a lot of pleasing things,” insisted Blackett despite last weekend’s stunning end-game setback. “We seem to have got good momentum, especially at maul time around something we have put a massive emphasis on recently and there has been more of a shift in our attacking side of the game, we have things defensively that were tweaked. 

“There have been plenty of things changed behind the scenes that you have seen on the field and still as much as everyone felt down last weekend, we have gone seven games now unbeaten, it’s eight at home. There are plenty of positives around us at the moment.”

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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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