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Those calculators that were in use on Super Saturday five years ago in the 2015 Six Nations finale will be out in force against next weekend as points difference could be the determining factor in deciding who lifts the trophy in 2020 following the 33-point Ireland win over Italy in Dublin
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Fifty points was a decent Six Nations score for seven-try Ireland to rattle up, that figure being in and around what they usually manage against Italy.
However, they will the concession of 17 soft points which included an intercept try and another with the clock in the red where the safest thing to do was get the ball off the park and not risk a concession.
A bonus point win away to France would ensure points difference is immaterial but from this remove it appears it will have a major say in who is crowned champions.
Looking beyond Ireland’s few defensive mishaps, though, there was still plenty for Andy Farrell to feel pleased about, namely the form of some of the rookies he introduced to wash away the bad smell that lingered from last February’s comprehensive defeat to England at Twickenham.
A restart win with a twist for Ireland https://t.co/mEE5qFuxnF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 24, 2020
Six changes were made to the starting XV on this occasion and here is how they rated:
15. JACOB STOCKDALE – 6
A novel out for him at this level, switching to full-back from the wing. Made what looked to be one brilliant try-creating break from his own half but he score for Hugo Keenan was ruled out for an illegal block. Had struggled in defence on the wing in 2019 and missed a few tackles here.
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14. ANDREW CONWAY – 5
Quiet afternoon. With Ireland’s box kick largely redundant, Conway had to find other ways to get into the game but the ball was rare enough in coming his way.
13. GARRY RINGROSE – 4
Punched the first defensive hole in the creation of Ireland’s first try, but his day was done after 27 minutes as he didn’t return from a head injury assessment that was later disgnosed as a broken jaw. His replacement Robbie Henshaw started well, quickly giving Keenan a try assist, but just don’t mention that intercept try he was caught out for.
12. BUNDEE AKI – 7
Started with some errors but came into his own and he capped an industrious display with a 69th minute try.
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Roll on Super Saturday! #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/I1bAxTWsSG
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) October 24, 2020
11. HUGO KEENAN – 8
Dream debut for the youngster, scoring two first-half tries and coming within a TMO decision of getting a third. He was helped by so much play coming his way unlike Conway on the other wing.
10. JOHNNY SEXTON – 7
Gave good guidance in getting Ireland into a promising position by the break but his intercepted, try-conceding pass was to the fore in the stodgy period after half-time that pegged momentum and left Ireland waiting until the 61st minute for their bonus. Went on to score a try himself before giving way late on to Ross Byrne.
9. CONOR MURRAY – 7
There has been so much debate about his status at starting scrum-half that his yellow card after just three minutes would have cheered his detractors but he bounced back capably and showed there was more to his game than his trademark box-kicking. Excellent kick in setting up Keenan’s second try. Replaced by debut-making Jamison Gibson-Park on 67 minutes.
1. CIAN HEALY – 6
Had the horrors at the scrum on his last Aviva Stadium outing, playing for Leinster against Saracens, but he won an early set-piece for Sexton to kick three points and was a positive first-half influence. Waned a little after the break and was taken off for rookie Ed Byrne on 55 minutes.
Textbook ?
Johnny Sexton storms over to finish an attack that will have the @IrishRugby coaches smiling #IREvITA #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/FGZRu7VNJN
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) October 24, 2020
2. ROB HERRING – 6
Excellent first-half when his nuisance value in disrupting opposition was to the fore with choke tackling and breakdown foraging. Did hand around in the second half, though, as the try-scoring Dave Heffernan was thrown on after 51 minutes.
3. ANDREW PORTER – 6
He is never going to be Tadhg Furlong but he held his own for the 63 minutes he was on for before Finlay Bealham arrived to up the tempo.
4. TADHG BEIRNE – 7
Set the standard defensively with a table-topping tackle contribution. He doesn’t carry much but his defensive belligerence is what can help Ireland most if they are to clinch the title.
Unstoppable!
When the @IrishRugby pack gets on a roll, watch out…#IREvITA #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/AuDbjGNobF
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) October 24, 2020
5. JAMES RYAN – 6
Had the lineout ticking over and battled away in the tight confines. His ball carrying was unusually restricted and he was hooked for Ultan Dillane on 63 minutes.
6. CAELAN DORIS – 7
Lasted just four minutes in his debut Aviva Stadium Test due to concussion but more than made up for it here. Unlike Peter O’Mahony, who came on after 67 minutes, Doris has a threat on the ball that is invaluable and he was busy with it here. His best moment was the breakdown steal that began the move for Keenan’s second try.
7. WILL CONNORS – 8
You have to love newcomers who rise to the occasion and it was so fitting that he got Ireland’s bonus-point try on 61 minutes before being awarded the official man of the match award. His combination with Leinster colleague Doris have the back row a versatility it was crying out for in the loss to England.
8. CJ STANDER – 7
Accounted for Ireland first try and was busy knowing that with O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier left out, he could have been next to go if he didn’t come up with a performance. Bossed the metres carried chart for the forwards with more than 70 made off 21 carries.
Will Connors' #GuinnessSixNations debut for @IrishRugby
20 tackles | 35m made | 10 carries | 3 turnovers | 1 try
(and 1 very famous trophy presenter!)#IREvITA pic.twitter.com/YIYrmS4zoo
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) October 24, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments