'A step up from what we've played so far': How England eye Ireland
Richard Cockerill is braced for a thorough round four Guinness Six Nations examination when England host Ireland at Twickenham on March 12. Eddie Jones’ new assistant is working his way through his first championship campaign as the English forwards coach and despite getting beaten by Scotland and annoyed by Wales, he reckons the threat posed by Andy Farrell’s Irish is the biggest will have faced in 2022.
“They are a very good side, they play a really good style of rugby, very physical the way they carry the ball and the way their forward pack go about their business, and their backs have been impressive,” he said. “So they are a very good side and one to be well respected, so we are looking forward to the game but we know it is going to be a step up from what we have played so far.
“They are very good at their set-piece and it is going to be a real battle, both scrum and lineout. That is going to be where the game is probably won or lost. We know what they are going to bring and we aim to match that and make it a fierce contest.”
Second place Ireland are currently a point ahead of England on the table having taken a bonus point in all three of their games and the outcome of their round four encounter will determine which team remains in the title hunt heading into the final round of matches on March 19.
Ireland are Twickenham-bound have enjoyed a pyrrhic victory of Italy last Sunday in Dublin, a spectacle ruined by having uncontested scrums for the guts of an hour and the Italians getting reduced to 13 players in the process.
What did Cockerill make of the strange situation that unfolded? “It’s a little bit unique because with the hooker getting injured very early and then the other hooker getting sent off it made the whole thing conspire against the reason why the laws were brought in.
“In isolation, it’s not a great spectacle for the game and it does ruin the game to a point but it’s a unique situation where an injury happens and then the player in the same position gets sent off. Player safety is paramount and you’re unlikely to see a similar situation happen again. It’s pretty unusual to happen.”
What effect will it have on Ireland, though, as they weren’t genuinely tested? “It’s hard to know. It is difficult when you get into that scenario. Uncontested scrums make everybody have a bit more energy, and 13 men and how you play it makes it very difficult. I’m sure it is not ideal for Ireland but look, they are a good side, they have got a lot of experience in their squad so if anything they will be fresher than they would have been.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Hopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
6 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
1 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
71 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
71 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
71 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to commentsPity he couldn’t call him a liar to his face, such a brave man.
71 Go to comments“You ain’t counting to 12 or 13 straight after a game, son!” Just because you don’t doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t “I reckon if anyone said it they would have said, ‘Hopefully, see you in the final’.” Oh, you “reckon”, do you? You weren’t there, you weren’t part of the conversation but you know what was said… Id10T
71 Go to commentsNZ has such a rich history of quality number nines, and woman beaters.
1 Go to commentsThat’s what happens when you are scared of scrums
3 Go to comments