RUGBY ANALYST:England are a tough team to beat and Ireland managed it with the utmost efficiency.
ON EIGHT minutes as Simon Shaw limped off England had earned their first penalty at the scrum. From the resulting lineout England launched an attack. Using the full width of the pitch and some very lateral phases right wing Mark Cueto found himself near the centre circle as the ball arrived. In front of him were Donncha O’Callaghan, Rory Best and Keith Earls. Outside him he had Louis Deacon and Riki Flutey with buckets of space. From where I was sitting right behind the goal posts in the middle tier of the South Stand I was perfectly placed to watch Cueto pin back his ears and go for it. Incredibly, the English winger didn’t take on Best, elected to offload to Deacon who should be shot for simply running into Earl’s arms. Was this the sum total of England’s ambition/ability?
Martin Johnson’s sentiments rang a little hollow. “We’re trying to play effective rugby, not playing at being sexy.” England were neither sexy nor effective. Conversely Ireland were patient, brutal and ruthlessly clinical in very tricky conditions.
Earlier England’s very first attack came from inside their 22 but when right wing Cueto got on the ball five metres from the touch line he was double-teamed by Irish centres Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll. Poor play England. Ugo Monye chanced his luck on Stephen Ferris; no joy. Cueto gets it back again and is hit hard by O’Driscoll. My point: centres shouldn’t be able to defend wingers. This went on for over two minutes until Wilkinson was smashed by Earls and Cian Healy; turnover. David Wallace to Ferris and then Jamie Heaslip on his 10 metre line fixes three defenders, creates space for Sexton who creates a race for Tommy Bowe. Beautiful!
Some minutes later Monye was way out on the left wing when he received the ball off a lineout move, pretty, but pretty useless as once again O’Driscoll made the hit and stole the ball.
England had buckets of possession but Wilkinson simply gobbled up too much time and outside him Flutey offered no leadership, direction or support.
England wanted, at all costs to prove they can run the ball by using the full width of the pitch. Over and back, and over and back and over again! When they did have an advantage England’s decision making was terrible, especially in kicking away good attacking ball.
Ireland, meanwhile, had very much targeted the breakdown and English left wing Monye with all sorts of high ball variations from Jonny Sexton’s boot. Either way, Ireland scored three cracking tries to one English effort. Worryingly for England and their intent on running rugby it was their tighthead Dan Cole who managed to burrow his way over.
The English breakdown was nothing like two years ago where Ireland’s physicality was immense. The only statistic worth noting was Ireland forced eight turnovers to England’s one. It wasn’t until Northampton’s Ben Foden arrived did England have anyone or thing with the ability to go forward.
The penalty count was horrendous against Ireland. Interestingly, Wilkinson’s first three-pointer arose from Stephen Ferris’ early hit on Danny Care from a quick tap penalty. The quick tap took place on the half way line and Ferris made contact on his 10 metre line. But the key penalty of the match was reversed in Ireland’s favour on 53 minutes and as predicted on Friday, England were all too exposed on their blindside defence. This was punished brilliantly by a superb Sexton pass to Earls.
In some respects I feel for Johnson as his side eked out a hard fought comeback from seven points down to three points up. Earl’s brilliant try came from dumb play by Care. For Bowe’s second much blame went on Wilkinson’s shoulders but the damage was done at the tail of the lineout. I’ve always raised the issue of props at the tail and loosehead Tim Payne was badly exposed. Typically, a chain of three should move out into the channel, the dummy scrumhalf, the openside and the number eight. As O’Leary rounded the corner the space between the tail and outhalf should have been filled. Tony Buckley blocked Payne and Easter was far too slow. Wilkinson had no chance; brilliant try.
From the outset I felt this fixture was a massive challenge for Ireland and they met it head on against a difficult team. Ireland conceded 14 penalties to England’s six, which implies great pressure was placed on them. This was not the case. Even though Ireland out-tackled 99 to 30 they were very unlikely to be penetrated.
At the core of their problem was Wilkinson. Nearly every one of his 27 metres carried added huge time delays to the English attack. Wilkinson, with little support, in an effort to spot a hole took several steps, often lateral but always killing space out wide.
The Irish backline had ample time to rearrange their defence and rarely did forwards get isolated. The line speed and shooters of the previous weeks had changed. As wonderful as Tommy Bowe’s winning try was my play of the day on 48 minutes was a smash tackle inside England’s half.
Once again the English were in control of the breakdown, lumbering around the pitch. Lewis Moody slipped down the fringe and Ferris hit him with such ferocity it knocked him backwards. Wallace, Hayes, O’Callaghan and O’Connell all piled in. The Irish smelt blood and the turnover was secured. Sexton looped D’Arcy, who targeted Monye once more and as six Irish players bore down on him he kneed into touch.
England are a tough team to beat and Ireland managed it with the utmost efficiency.
liamtoland@yahoo.com
