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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[Natwest 6 Nations] Round 3 : Scotland Vs England 24/02/2018 16:45
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<blockquote data-quote="Yoshimitsu" data-source="post: 892959" data-attributes="member: 71899"><p>It's an odd one I've been pondering for years now. I've come to the conclusion that somewhere dark in the stats department of English rugby some genius has crunched the numbers and decided that there's more chance of turning possession over by forcing the other team to make mistakes in contact or when under massive physical pressure. England therefore don't even attempt to contest really as the resetting of the defence is the primary concern. Turnover work is only actually attempted on the ground by a single individual should they see the chance (usually Mr D Cole giving away a pen). The problem is as soon as teams begin to operate at above 85% efficiency with ball in hand it's like watching the tide come in. England cede ground hoping for mistakes so they can revert to set pieces where they are happier. When teams don't make mistakes, we get beaten. Scotland mercilessly exploited our complete inability to compete. Watching Dan Cole in a text book guard position whilst less than a yard away John Barclay was standing there stealing the ball was infuriating. Because we don't plan to compete, we're lost when teams do. The Irish have known this for years. There will be a lot and I mean a lot of accidentally "look I'm trying to move" stuff going on and the tackled player will be held on to until the ref commands the tackler to release. Danny Care will stand there flapping his arms as unless it's on a silver platter he's scared to touch it. England actually need the breakdown reffed in a certain way to maximise their game plan. Any ref allowing a contest there is effectively favouring the other team. It's not bias, it's just what it is. Being unable to adapt to a ref is a significant English failing.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Yoshimitsu, post: 892959, member: 71899"] It's an odd one I've been pondering for years now. I've come to the conclusion that somewhere dark in the stats department of English rugby some genius has crunched the numbers and decided that there's more chance of turning possession over by forcing the other team to make mistakes in contact or when under massive physical pressure. England therefore don't even attempt to contest really as the resetting of the defence is the primary concern. Turnover work is only actually attempted on the ground by a single individual should they see the chance (usually Mr D Cole giving away a pen). The problem is as soon as teams begin to operate at above 85% efficiency with ball in hand it's like watching the tide come in. England cede ground hoping for mistakes so they can revert to set pieces where they are happier. When teams don't make mistakes, we get beaten. Scotland mercilessly exploited our complete inability to compete. Watching Dan Cole in a text book guard position whilst less than a yard away John Barclay was standing there stealing the ball was infuriating. Because we don't plan to compete, we're lost when teams do. The Irish have known this for years. There will be a lot and I mean a lot of accidentally "look I'm trying to move" stuff going on and the tackled player will be held on to until the ref commands the tackler to release. Danny Care will stand there flapping his arms as unless it's on a silver platter he's scared to touch it. England actually need the breakdown reffed in a certain way to maximise their game plan. Any ref allowing a contest there is effectively favouring the other team. It's not bias, it's just what it is. Being unable to adapt to a ref is a significant English failing. [/QUOTE]
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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[Natwest 6 Nations] Round 3 : Scotland Vs England 24/02/2018 16:45
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