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Newcastle bow out with Montpellier loss as Connacht continue 100 per cent record

By PA
Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins – Gallagher Premiership – Kingston Park

Newcastle bowed out of Europe with a 26-7 loss to Montpellier at Kingston Park that leaves them bottom of their Challenge Cup group.

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An Alex Hearle try in the 32nd minute kept the Falcons in the hunt for a first win in the campaign and they were level at 7-7 early in the second half.

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But Jan Serfontein’s try broke the deadlock with Lyam Akrab and Nicolas Martins also crossing to propel the Top 14 side clear.

Pool One leaders Connacht completed the group phase with a 100 per cent record after toppling Cardiff 28-19 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Replacement scrum-half Matthew Devine decided a tight encounter when he touched down in the 65th minute.

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SK 23 minutes ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

If you are building the same amount of rucks but kicking more is that a bad thing? Kicks are more constestable than ever, fans want to see a contest, is that a bad thing? kicks create broken field situations where counter attacks from be launched from or from which turnover ball can be exploited, attacks are more direct and swift rather than multiphase in nature, is that a bad thing? What is clear now is that a hybrid approach is needed to win matches. You can still build phases but you need to play in the right areas so you have to kick well. You also have to be prepared to play from turnover ball and transition quickly from the kick contest to attack or set your defence quickly if the aerial contest is lost. Rugby seems healthy to me. The rules at ruck time means the team in possession is favoured and its more possible than ever to play a multiphase game. At the same time kicking, set piece, kick chase and receipt seems to be more important than ever. Teams can win in so many ways with so many strategies. If anything rugby resembles footballs 4-4-2 era. Now football is all about 1 striker formations with gegenpress and transition play vs possession heavy teams, fewer shots, less direct play and crossing. Its boring and it plods along with moves starting from deep, passing goalkeepers and centre backs and less wing play. If we keep tinkering with the laws rugby will become a game with more defined styles and less variety, less ways to win effectively and less varied body types and skill sets.

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