It wasn't just the lineout: Diagnosing Ireland's 5 areas of failure versus England
It was another difficult day for Ireland at Twickenham as Andy Farrell’s team suffered an 18-7 defeat which was far more comfortable for England than the final scoreline suggests. Having taken hold of the game through a brace of quick-fire Jonny May tries in the opening 20 minutes, England were effectively able to sit back and see out the game as a limited Ireland attack failed to make any sort of headway against the hosts’ disciplined defence and ferocious line speed.
Andy Farrell and his players tried to focus on the positives after the game, but there was much to concern the Ireland head coach as his team continue to blow hot and cold during what is proving a tricky transitional period.
Here, we look at some of the key areas of the game as Ireland suffered a fourth consecutive defeat to England.
ENGLAND’S DEFENSIVE MASTERCLASS
In his post-game press conference Eddie Jones mentioned studying Liverpool FC’s transitional play, but the way his team set up at Twickenham also brought to mind Jose Mourinho’s famous accusation that Tottenham Hotspur ‘parked the bus’ on a visit to Stamford Bridge during his first spell as Chelsea boss.
England are excellent at controlling the game without the seeing the ball. Ireland actually enjoyed 68% of the possession and 72% of the territory, while also playing more passes, making more carries and gaining more metres. The only problem was they never looked like doing anything with the ball, England’s defence denying their opponents any time or space to think when in possession.
By this stage you will be aware that England made an incredible 238 tackles, missing only nine. Ireland, by comparison, only had to make 72 tackles, missing 11. Those numbers tell their own story, Ireland losing a game in which they rarely had to defend.
Andy Farrell played down Jonny May’s second try as “just a breakaway try really”, but you would hope his message is more stern in the video review room. Teams don’t often go end-to-end against Tier 1 opposition, and while May rightly deserves credit for a stunning solo effort, Ireland should be more concerned at the gaps, missed tackles and even sluggish defensive cover which allowed the try to happen.
Alex Corbisiero's epic Tinder story from the 2013 Lions Tour ? @AlexCorbs pic.twitter.com/vjPRDRB1QK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 22, 2020
LINEOUT
The most obvious problem for Ireland was a malfunctioning lineout, an area which also creaked under pressure against France last month, Ireland losing three attacking throws in Paris. A month later the same problems were once again laid bare.
On Saturday most fingers pointed at Ronan Kelleher, a 22-year-old hooker winning just his second Test start. Yet the lineout is a team effort, and while Kelleher will have to hold his hands up for some poorly executed throws – a full-stretch Peter O’Mahony could only get fingertips to the overthrow that led to May’s superb solo try – the real puzzle here was why Ireland kept allowing England to compete at the set-piece.
The hosts put Ireland’s lineout under serious pressure from the very start, yet time and time again Ireland kept making life hard for themselves by throwing to the back of the lineout, exactly where England wanted to contest. James Ryan, starting for the first time as Ireland captain, could possibly have done his team a favour by throwing in a few safer calls in an attempt to take Maro Itoje out of the equation.
An area of the game that gave Ireland so much joy during the Joe Schmidt era is now firing blanks and as long as that continues, this team will struggle against the top sides.
Maro Itoje's dominant performance has reignited the debate. Who is the best lock in the world? ? pic.twitter.com/O6aUPCV1b4
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2020
PLAN B
Without being heavily beaten on the scoreboard, Ireland never looked like winning this game once May had sniped for his quick-fire double. So when Ireland were having such little joy with their attacking game, where was Plan B?
Ireland had some encouraging moments from the boot in the early stages, but they soon moved away from their kicking game and engaged in a battle up front, an approach which played right into England’s hands and only served to needlessly expend energy. Having been physically bettered in their previous three meetings with England, it was wishful thinking that that would change this time around.
Ireland would have identified and worked on dealing with England’s ferocious line speed before the game, yet it certainly didn’t look that way. Chris Farrell made 17 metres off 15 carries, while Bundee Aki made 16m from eight. CJ Stander, who had one of his most ineffective games for Ireland in recent memory, gained just three metres from five carries and only made two tackles. Alongside him Peter O’Mahony, who worked hard throughout, went 12m for 11 carries, while Caelan Doris made 8m from his 13 carries.
Ireland were running into brick walls from the start, and continued to do so for 80 minutes. Some clever kicks by Ross Byrne and Billy Burns opened England up in the latter stages – Chris Farrell held up over the line before Jacob Stockdale pounced for a consolation try – which only served to underline the thought that Ireland should have tried mix things up sooner and more often.
It was evidently clear that England knew how to beat Ireland. Having suffered four successive defeats to Eddie Jones and Co, Ireland are still trying to figure England out.
Murray said that Ireland left Twickenham with "massive belief" even though they weren't able to prevent a fourth successive defeat to their rivals.https://t.co/5zpZ4M0aSN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2020
HALF-BACKS
Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park are light on Test experience, but they have plenty of big game understanding through Leinster and have steered the province well on many occasions. Yet in Twickenham the pair never looked likely to take control, an issue which can’t solely be placed at their feet.
Gibson-Park is a fine scrum-half and is well able to distribute the ball quickly and accurately, but in the face of England’s rush-defence his decision making was poor as a result of having so little time on the ball. He had some decent moments but his decision to try run the ball from a strange Ireland lineout move at the end of the first half almost resulted in an England try, while his kicking game also left a lot to be desired.
Alongside him Byrne was equally frustrating, and the 25-year-old must be cursing his luck at his only two Test starts both coming at Twickenham. Yet this is the level he wants to be at, so this is the standard he must meet. Playing so deep isn’t unusual for Byrne but it only served to keep Ireland on the back-foot, particularly the more he resisted using his boot, and was never going to allow him properly influence the game.
Watching from a distance, it was hard to work out what Farrell had asked of his half-backs. For now, Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray retain a firm hold on their jerseys.
Learning from Premier League champions Liverpool FC has really benefited Jonny May, who Eddie Jones believes has the potential to become England's top try scorer ever.https://t.co/rnSRCxcnek
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2020
EXPERIENCE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
Andy Farrell’s post-game message that Ireland won the second-half sounded a bit like a speech a coach might give a well-beaten team of U12’s, but it’s easy to understand why he would want to boost the confidence of an inexperienced team.
This was an England side containing 11 of those that started last year’s World Cup final, while six of Ireland’s starting XV had less than 10 caps to their name.
The visitors had to plan without Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jordan Larmour, Joey Carbery, Dave Kilcoyne, Will Addison, Ryan Baird and Dan Leavy, but many of those players were involved in the previous three hidings handed out by England. Every team has to deal with injuries, and even if Ireland’s count is a little higher than usual right now, the problem is that many of the players available to Farrell have struggled against France and England in recent weeks.
More regular competitive games would certainly make a difference. Sixteen of Farrell’s 34-man squad for the opening rounds of the Nations Cup play their club rugby with Leinster, a team who spends their years clocking up routine Pro14 wins until the latter stages of the Heineken Champions Cup finally provide some genuinely competitive games.
Run through the diaries of players from the New Zealand, Australia, England, France, South Africa and Argentina Test squads, and you will find a much more demanding schedule at club level.
For many of Farrell’s squad, testing games will be few and far between before the start of the 2021 Six Nations.
Comments on RugbyPass
True Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
21 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
21 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
21 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
21 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
21 Go to comments