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'That is a good observation backed up by measurement': Why England have Dupont in their sights
England defence coach John Mitchell has a simple instruction for his players this Saturday at Twickenham: Get Dupont. Unlike most other Test teams, France play mostly off their scrum-half and it has resulted in Antoine Dupont becoming one of the stars so far in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
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Having overcome his recent positive test for Covid-19 after France had started the championship with away wins over Italy and Ireland, the 24-year-old is now coming to London looking to keep alive his country’s Grand Slam bid.
France had their round three home game against Scotland postponed due to the virus outbreak which affected a dozen players and four staff, meaning their 31-strong squad will have not played Test rugby in 27 days when they take the field next Saturday at Twickenham.
But England defence coach Mitchell saw enough in the French displays in Rome and Dublin to know they must shackle Dupont if they are to get their own campaign back on track following February defeats to Scotland and Wales.
“Yeah, that is a good observation backed up by measurement as well,” said Mitchell when asked if the French were unusual in playing so much off their No9. “They are putting close to 60 per cent off nine. It just goes to show you very simply run to the line and then make decisions off the speed of that ball.”
If you couldn't pick any of the current match-day team, who are the form picks?
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 8, 2021
Asked what England will look to do to limit Dupont’s influence, Mitchell added: “Stop him from running, I reckon. He can run. A really good player, likes to influence the game, backs his strengths, is a huge influence on how the French team plays. Looking forward to taking away what he has.
“He runs, he has good vision, he has got awareness I guess of defenders when he goes to the breakdown on either side of the ruck. He also tends not to be premeditated. I guess he makes a lot of decisions based on what is in front of him.
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“He has a good skill set and he is physically put together really well. He is powerful, he has got a good fend as you have seen and some of the ways he goes around defenders rather than on their inside, and his support play is second to none in how he anticipates beyond the ball on situations to support.”
Rugby fans in general often talk about French flair in attack but Mitchell doesn’t view them in that way. “They are still heavily focused on a long kicking game and they are still heavily focused on trying to get attacking lineouts in the attacking half and that is really where their game has been built on.
“Some people have a perception of French players as being expressive, flamboyant, keeping the ball alive, they still have that ability and they are still very good in space but this very successful French team is somewhat conservative in the sense that it is trying to win the kicking game, trying to win the territory and then get its opportunities to pounce.
“They are a far more patient side that waits for their opportunity, that is prepared to stay disciplined and tactically disciplined in the way that they play.”
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'This week @Alishabutchers1 had to fundraise to cover the cost of ankle surgery following ligament damage sustained while training'@_JessHayden ??? on elite women's players paying out of pocket for treatment in order to play the game #IWD21 #IWD https://t.co/Y7tfa1K2Fl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 8, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
“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.
9 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.
22 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.
9 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 commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments