Warren Gatland has expressed his belief that the Scarlets prop suits the interpretation of tomorrow’s referee, Jérôme Garcès, at scrum time.
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Garcès has penalised Gethin Jenkins heavily in the recent past and Gatland stated that fact as one of the major reasons he had picked Evans ahead of the veteran Jenkins for this meeting with Ireland.
Earlier this week, Joe Schmidt stated his belief that Garcès and other referees can’t afford to go into games with “preconceived ideas” about what will happen at the scrum, and Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek is not sure about Gatland’s comments on Evans either.
“If Warren comes out and says that, that’s fine,” said Feek after Ireland’s captain’s run today.
“I’ve had a look at Rob Evans and there have been some games where he has been reasonably disciplined, but I watched the Northampton-Scarlets game and there’s some games where it turns the other way.
Rob Evans has a big test ahead. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“You just have to take what’s on the day. As long as the refs police that, the clear and obvious, then that’s fine. If our guys are good then they don’t have to sanction it. All we’re wanting is the assistant refs and refs to work together so we can have a good contest.”
Gatland’s comments on Evans can be viewed as simple honesty of course, but many others - Schmidt and Feek evidently among them – have taken them up as an effort to put those ‘preconceived ideas’ into Garcès’ head.
Probably not unusual for Wales,” said Feek when asked if Gatland’s comments were unusual for a head coach to make, “but every now and again there are things that might take you guys by surprise. Every now and again you might need to be less predictable.”
Since Schmidt took over as head coach, Ireland have always been swift to underline that they are legal scrummagers who look to keep the contest straight and want the set-piece to provide a platform to play away from.
Feek stressed that message again this afternoon ahead of the latest test of his scrum tomorrow in the Aviva Stadium.
Feek is happy with how Ireland's scrum has performed in recent times. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
“Statistically we’re pretty happy with where we’ve been on our own ball,” said Feek. “Teams are always going to pressure you. World Rugby are trying to push that if you’re going to contest the scrum then it’s gotta be done legally.
“We’re just doing what World Rugby want us to do, and referees, and we’ve been trying to do that for the last few years.
“It’s difficult sometimes with different surfaces and slightly different interpretations. But if that’s what they want, we’re certainly trying to achieve that.”
'Probably not unusual for Wales' - Ireland set scrum record straight
IRELAND’S TWO MOST recent defeats to Wales have been extremely tight affairs and again tomorrow a single scrum penalty could decide the result.
Jack McGrath, Rory Best and Nathan White take on Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee in the front row battle and the match-ups are intriguing.
McGrath has reason to be confident against Welsh tighthead Lee, but the contest between White and 23-year-old Evans on the other side of the scrum is altogether more unclear.
Warren Gatland has expressed his belief that the Scarlets prop suits the interpretation of tomorrow’s referee, Jérôme Garcès, at scrum time.
Garcès has penalised Gethin Jenkins heavily in the recent past and Gatland stated that fact as one of the major reasons he had picked Evans ahead of the veteran Jenkins for this meeting with Ireland.
Earlier this week, Joe Schmidt stated his belief that Garcès and other referees can’t afford to go into games with “preconceived ideas” about what will happen at the scrum, and Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek is not sure about Gatland’s comments on Evans either.
“If Warren comes out and says that, that’s fine,” said Feek after Ireland’s captain’s run today.
“I’ve had a look at Rob Evans and there have been some games where he has been reasonably disciplined, but I watched the Northampton-Scarlets game and there’s some games where it turns the other way.
“You just have to take what’s on the day. As long as the refs police that, the clear and obvious, then that’s fine. If our guys are good then they don’t have to sanction it. All we’re wanting is the assistant refs and refs to work together so we can have a good contest.”
Gatland’s comments on Evans can be viewed as simple honesty of course, but many others - Schmidt and Feek evidently among them – have taken them up as an effort to put those ‘preconceived ideas’ into Garcès’ head.
Since Schmidt took over as head coach, Ireland have always been swift to underline that they are legal scrummagers who look to keep the contest straight and want the set-piece to provide a platform to play away from.
Feek stressed that message again this afternoon ahead of the latest test of his scrum tomorrow in the Aviva Stadium.
“Statistically we’re pretty happy with where we’ve been on our own ball,” said Feek. “Teams are always going to pressure you. World Rugby are trying to push that if you’re going to contest the scrum then it’s gotta be done legally.
“We’re just doing what World Rugby want us to do, and referees, and we’ve been trying to do that for the last few years.
“It’s difficult sometimes with different surfaces and slightly different interpretations. But if that’s what they want, we’re certainly trying to achieve that.”
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‘There is a familiarity between Ireland and Wales and familiarity breeds contempt’ – Ryan Jones
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Greg Feek Ireland Jack McGrath jerome garces Joe Schmidt Mind Games? Nathan White Rob Evans Wales