Ireland v England, 10/02/13

[HenryChinaski]

Mehh Tuilagi was a tough call which I didn't envy Lancaster having to make. If Tuilagi continues to impress, he'll get back into the XV anyway on merit, and then Lancaster can still say he's rewarding form.

But I think we could be in trouble with the outside backs. We have little/no speed there, and Brown and Goode have both been caught our positionally already.

 

[lynam1104]

Ireland unchanged, great new that D'Arcy, Ross and POM have pulled through.

 

[Patchey]

Brown does offer more defensively than any winger likely to be picked in his place so at least we have him on the pitch

 

[Teh Mite]

Quins make Brown look better then he really is.

 

[lynam1104]

Hes not an international winger IMO, lacks the pace. That has to be one of the Lancaster calls I can't understand, he's a great coach by all accounts but brown obviously just isn't a winger. Give him time at FB I rate him over Goode for sure.

 

[j'nuh]

Brown does offer more defensively than any winger likely to be picked in his place so at least we have him on the pitch

Rewatch the build up to the Maitland try - he makes about 4 defensive mistakes in one move. A poor clearance kick, and then when Hogg runs it back, he steps to the guy on the wing instead of drifting back with defense (these two gift Scotland the territory to launch the attack), then when Scotland swing the ball wide when scoring the try, he comes inwards to tackle a guy marked, leaving his wing open, and as the try happens, he pulls himself into a ruck instead of guarding the blindside which is a winger's job. Left an easy run-in.

Even if he's a decent defender normally, his lack of positional awareness on the wing renders that "defensive prowess" useless.

 

[Big Ewis]

...
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3820_8479371,00.html

 

[Tony Manx]

As an unbiased spectator being of that little Island between England and Ireland, who just happened to be at the RWC 2003 Final, I have to go for England by a minimum of 10 points provided they continue the stability, confidence, enthusiasm, improvement of the last two games and, if not, by 3 points!

 

[big ginger 8]

The two guys in the 23 jerseys terrify me because of each other. Still think we can win this hopefully we actually play the whole match for once.

 

[Peat]

If we break through the choke tackles and prevent Ross from doing bad things to Marler, we'll probably win.

It's that simple to me.

 

[Zed]

The choke tackle isn't too hard to counter. You just need to be a bit more organised and structured. England are aware that Ireland will employ that, so they just to ensure they ball carrier has support runners & hits the deck early doors.

 

[Peat]

The choke tackle isn't too hard to counter. You just need to be a bit more organised and structured. England are aware that Ireland will employ that, so they just to ensure they ball carrier has support runners & hits the deck early doors.

All true, but the evidence says it's also a lot easier said than done - the moment the carrier loses his support, even for a second, you're in deep doo-dah.

 

[coonor]

The choke tackle isn't too hard to counter. You just need to be a bit more organised and structured. England are aware that Ireland will employ that, so they just to ensure they ball carrier has support runners & hits the deck early doors.

And suddenly the choke has been successful! The earlier England go to ground, the less ground they make, the easy it is for Ireland to compete at the breakdown.

 

[Deleted member 53362]

Its not just the tackle its the players who employ it, some people frown at Obrien at 7 thinking he should be a 6 or 8 but having a big tall guy taking the first tackle and holding the player up gives you that small time advantage. Other sides could try it but without the players Ireland have it wouldnt be as successful.

 

[HenryChinaski]

The choke tackle isn't too hard to counter. You just need to be a bit more organised and structured. England are aware that Ireland will employ that, so they just to ensure they ball carrier has support runners & hits the deck early doors.

Well it hard because at first the carrier is trying to stay on his feet and make as much ground as possible but then all of a sudden your tryng to do the opposite. And you have to know exactly when to switch, or your just helping the tackler

 

[Crapspray]

Of course, one could just dominate the scrum. Makes the whole effort of a choke tackle pointless; they'd just concede a penalty every time they did it. So if that happens then both problems are solved with Marler and the choke-tackle. Lancaster and his coaching staff seem willing to alter the game plan between matches, something not done for a decade, so England should be prepared for it (fingers crossed, touch wood etc.).

In my opinion, the greater threat is if the Irish backs get around a blitz defence and get quick ball throughout the match. England's defence needs to be as aggressive as it was against the All Blacks to counter the dangerous 3/4s. With Launchbury, Haskell, Wood, and Robshaw all starting we should really be trying to win the breakdown convincingly, as well.

 

[big ginger 8]

Don't think we'll use the choke tackle this week probably be more selective in it's use. I'd say more chop tackles.

 

[Jockstap]

England U20's...Tick
England Clubs...Tick
England Womens...Tick

Right Ireland lets make it a clean sweep tomorrow. Also congratulations to Ireland's women for their first ever win over England in the Six Nations.

 

[big ginger 8]

England U20's...Tick
England Clubs...Tick
England Womens...Tick

Right Ireland lets make it a clean sweep tomorrow. Also congratulations to Ireland's women for their first ever win over England in the Six Nations.

Yeah was amazed to see the scoreline great result.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I reckon we have a 6nations decider tomorrow. Both these sides should beat France and England should beat Wales. Obviously things will change as we get into the competition but on performances so far it's likely.