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Northampton explain failure to capitalise against 12-man Irish

By PA
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson admitted his team played far better against 15 men than they did against twelve during their 38-22 victory against London Irish. The Exiles began the second half with Tom Pearson, Henry Arundell and Rob Simmons all in the sin bin but came through that daunting period unscathed due to Saints, without an ill Dan Biggar, trying to force play too much.

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It was only after the visitors were restored to full strength that the accuracy of their game returned and they recorded their first win since Dowson succeeded Chris Boyd during the summer. Dowson said: “We didn’t really take advantage of the numerical advantage.

“We weren’t clinical enough, we didn’t keep hold of the ball and we forced things, which is frustrating but what we did do is we stuck to our guns when it got back to 15 apiece and we managed to get on top. Big parts of our game came back, but it is tough playing with twelve guys – we have done it in the past a couple of seasons ago and it does take it out of you.

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“That fatigue element was also part of it in the last 20 minutes. We could have been way better in that area, but we got our game back on plan and we managed to capitalise. I don’t know what illness it was but he [Biggar] phoned me this morning saying he wasn’t in a fit state to play. It was disappointing he wasn’t playing, but he should be OK.”

Northampton led 10-0 at half-time through Juarno Augustus’ try and they eventually extended their advantage through second-half scores by Ollie Sleightholme and Alex Mitchell. London Irish threatened a comeback following a Will Joseph effort and a penalty try, but George Furbank put the game out of reach before Ollie Hassell-Collins’ consolation.

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Their director of rugby Declan Kidney said: “There were a lot of things there that were in our control that we can do better. There were a couple of momentum swings in the game too, so the two of those things combined probably cost us as the game went on.

“It’s well within our grasp to be that much better and fair play to Northampton, we knew they were going to be well up for it, but there are learnings for us to take. (Playing with 12 men) does take the energy out of the boys around the pitch.

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“You could say there was a four-point swing in that nine minutes, which isn’t the worst thing with three men (in the sin bin). They only scored at the end of the three men coming back on and in the minute before that, we can probably control those moments better.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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