Forwards in the backline - Munster's short lived 2005 experiment
Mathieu Bastareaud’s decision to move from centre to Number 8 when he plays for his new club Lyon rather unsurprisingly drew headlines this week.
For years the running joke was that the former Toulon midfielder is built like a prop – the sheer mass of the man screams forward – and there’s an understandable excitement at the prospect of a top tier international making the switch.
For many rugby fans however, a bright line between forwards and backs remains.
While the physiological difference between rugby’s two most basic positions continues to narrow, there’s a quasi-religious separation of backs and forwards deeply rooted within the culture of the sport, as if the two sub-sets were two entirely different species of rugby player that shouldn’t be confused or intermingled.
This sacred gap has been bridged recently with alarming regularity. Fiji’s Semi Kunatani and Levani Botia both moved from wing and centre (respectively) to the backrow, and are prospering there.
There have been cases of failure of course. Infamously Italian openside Mauro Bergamasco attempted to play scrumhalf in a 2009 Six Nations match against England, a doomed experiment that will be remembered – sadly – for his laughable incompetence in the position.
More recently Sam Burgess, who was already tasked with handling the considerable challenge of a league to union conversion, was effectively forced to move position by Stuart Lancaster from Bath’s blindside – where he was having some considerable success – to the England midfield – at the Rugby World Cup. It was a move that would ultimately see the 6’5, 116kg Burgess break-off his Bath contract a year early and return to the NRL.
Sam Burgess at RWC2015
Richie Vernon won 24-caps for Scotland in the backrow before converting to the centre in his latter years at Glasgow Warriors before retiring at the end of last season at London Scottish.
Going the opposite direction, England hooker Tom Youngs made the switch to hooker from the centre relatively early in his career thanks to advice from Heyneke Meyer. It was a good call too. He went on to win 28 England caps and three British and Lions caps in the position.
Yet it was some 14-years-ago that then Munster coach Declan Kidney flirted heavily with selecting Irish forwards in the backline – albeit with an injury crisis forcing his hand.
David Wallace in 2009 (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Kidney selected Irish David Wallace and Denis Leamy in the backs in two separate and consecutive games.
Wallace, one of the most explosive athletes to be produced by the Irish system, started on the wing against Border Reivers at Thomond Park in the opening game of the season in 2005.
“I’m very much looking forward to the challenge,” the then 29-year-old Wallace remarked. “I’ve played (on the wing) a few times, although I’ve never actually started a game in the position.”
Kidney reflected after the game that: “David was asked to play there (wing) for the good of the squad. And we must recognise his selfless attitude. I was very happy with the way he played in what was an unfamiliar position. But he is a very, very good wing-forward and it’s only fair that he gets time in that position.
And so it was a week later that Kidney returned Wallace to the pack, and started the 6’2, 108kg Denis Leamy at 12 for a Musgrave Park clash with the Ospreys.
Leamy, who would ultimately win 57 caps with Ireland in the backrow, was more than happy to start at 12. “I’d play anywhere for Munster. I have played in the backs at underage so I m familiar enough with it, and I’ve been training there all week so I m happy to give it a go. Looking forward to it really.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments