The loss of Dan Cole in the build-up had swung this area in Ireland’s favour in the eyes of many, and the eventual dominance of Cian Healy, Mike Ross and Rory Best at the scrum was a joy to behold. Memories of the 2012 debacle in Twickenham were cast aside as John Plumtree’s pack manhandled their English counterparts.
With further tests to come at the scrum against the proud Italian and French packs, Ireland can benefit in this area again. For too long, Ireland have looked to simply cope at the scrum but with real depth in the front row now, Plumtree can ask his men to attack with the intention of winning penalties.
There appears be something missing in the backline
Ireland’s inability to convert their share of possession into points more regularly was down to system failures and collective inaccuracy, but there is also a sense that something [or someone] is lacking in the backline.
Joe Schmidt places a premium on how individuals function within the team’s structure before worrying about the flair those players can bring, but sometimes rugby needs moments of magic to break a tight game. Schmidt highlighted that Mike Brown’s “running in broken field was probably the difference between the two teams.”
Perhaps the main frustration to arise from yesterday’s defeat was the failure of Ireland’s kicking game. The space in behind England’s front-line rush defence that had been identified beforehand just didn’t materialise as Stuart Lancaster’s men worked hard to get a sweeping player into that hole, meaning Ireland’s chips didn’t pay off.
The tactic of keeping longer kicks infield also seemed ill-advised as England managed to run the ball back threateningly on so many occasions. A cross-field kick to Andrew Trimble worked well early on, but thereafter Ireland’s wingers lay deep in attack and that option was largely ignored.
Having praised Ireland’s ability to find and exploit the space on the pitch against Wales, it is fair to be critical of their failure to do so against England.
England’s counter-attacking ability was underestimated
This point is intrinsically linked to the one above, as England ended up getting strong rewards from running back at Ireland when they fielded Sexton and Murray’s kicks. Jonny May stood out in this regard, while the wonderful Brown led the way with his pace and balance.
While England’s attacking game is built around their sheer power in battering across the gainline as they work their way across the pitch, they reacted well to the circumstances that Ireland’s kicking game presented. Schmidt’s men simply failed to do the same in return.
Little reason to overreact
Ireland narrowly lost an excellent game at Twickenham, meaning there is no need to overreact. Yes, there were malfunctions in their defence, kicking game and ability to draw in defenders before releasing the ball into wider channels, but this is a game they came extremely close to drawing or even winning.
The main issue in recent years for Ireland has been the fact that excellent performances like the one against Wales were followed by utterly abject displays. While there was certainly a drop-off in Ireland’s form from that victory over the Welsh, the fall was far less considerable than it has been in the past.
With two games left, Ireland are in as good a position as they have been for some time to win a championship.
What would you add to the list of lessons we learned from Ireland’s loss?
5 things we learned from Ireland's loss to England in Twickenham
Our scrum can become a real weapon
The loss of Dan Cole in the build-up had swung this area in Ireland’s favour in the eyes of many, and the eventual dominance of Cian Healy, Mike Ross and Rory Best at the scrum was a joy to behold. Memories of the 2012 debacle in Twickenham were cast aside as John Plumtree’s pack manhandled their English counterparts.
With further tests to come at the scrum against the proud Italian and French packs, Ireland can benefit in this area again. For too long, Ireland have looked to simply cope at the scrum but with real depth in the front row now, Plumtree can ask his men to attack with the intention of winning penalties.
There appears be something missing in the backline
Ireland’s inability to convert their share of possession into points more regularly was down to system failures and collective inaccuracy, but there is also a sense that something [or someone] is lacking in the backline.
Joe Schmidt places a premium on how individuals function within the team’s structure before worrying about the flair those players can bring, but sometimes rugby needs moments of magic to break a tight game. Schmidt highlighted that Mike Brown’s “running in broken field was probably the difference between the two teams.”
Do Ireland have room for a similar threat?
Kicking game plan simply didn’t work
Perhaps the main frustration to arise from yesterday’s defeat was the failure of Ireland’s kicking game. The space in behind England’s front-line rush defence that had been identified beforehand just didn’t materialise as Stuart Lancaster’s men worked hard to get a sweeping player into that hole, meaning Ireland’s chips didn’t pay off.
The tactic of keeping longer kicks infield also seemed ill-advised as England managed to run the ball back threateningly on so many occasions. A cross-field kick to Andrew Trimble worked well early on, but thereafter Ireland’s wingers lay deep in attack and that option was largely ignored.
Having praised Ireland’s ability to find and exploit the space on the pitch against Wales, it is fair to be critical of their failure to do so against England.
England’s counter-attacking ability was underestimated
This point is intrinsically linked to the one above, as England ended up getting strong rewards from running back at Ireland when they fielded Sexton and Murray’s kicks. Jonny May stood out in this regard, while the wonderful Brown led the way with his pace and balance.
While England’s attacking game is built around their sheer power in battering across the gainline as they work their way across the pitch, they reacted well to the circumstances that Ireland’s kicking game presented. Schmidt’s men simply failed to do the same in return.
Little reason to overreact
Ireland narrowly lost an excellent game at Twickenham, meaning there is no need to overreact. Yes, there were malfunctions in their defence, kicking game and ability to draw in defenders before releasing the ball into wider channels, but this is a game they came extremely close to drawing or even winning.
The main issue in recent years for Ireland has been the fact that excellent performances like the one against Wales were followed by utterly abject displays. While there was certainly a drop-off in Ireland’s form from that victory over the Welsh, the fall was far less considerable than it has been in the past.
With two games left, Ireland are in as good a position as they have been for some time to win a championship.
What would you add to the list of lessons we learned from Ireland’s loss?
‘What’s the point in biting each other’s heads off?’ – Ireland’s Jordi Murphy
D’Arcy disconsolate, but says ‘no chance Twickenham defeat will derail entire Championship’
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Comp:Six Nations Conor Murray England Ireland Joe Schmidt Jonny Sexton mike brown Stuart Lancaster Talking Points Twickenham