Why are England so far ahead of the rest?
The results so far in this year’s Women’s Six Nations have shown just how far ahead England are. Whilst it doesn’t seem great for the competition with such disparity in standards- it is hugely important in pushing other nations to raise their game.
Previously England have been criticised for being the only professional team but gradually other countries are realising they need to invest too or risk falling even further behind, which can only be a positive for the women’s game moving forward. This is reflected in other nations now giving playing contracts- with the latest being Italy after a huge defeat against England in round two.
Aside from the obvious of being professional for the longest- England’s success runs much deeper than that and I’m going to highlight the areas which give them the edge.
Strength in depth
No matter who is injured there is a like for like replacement. We have seen this with scrum-half Claudia MacDonald being out of action and the young Lucy Packer and experienced Natasha Hunt slotting in seamlessly as well as Leanne Infante. This strength in depth reflects in their performances.
We only have to look at the Black Ferns games back in Autumn where England dominated both matches whilst missing the likes of Emily Scaratt and Infante.
Everyone wants to be part of the World Cup squad so every game of the Six Nations is like a trial game. There will be four or five big name players that would make most World Cup squads who won’t be taken with England due to the competition, so each player has a point to prove.
And what a try it was! ?? https://t.co/8GLpk6ajm0 pic.twitter.com/YRmMsChGEp
— Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 17, 2022
Versatility
You just have to look at the England pack to see how versatile they are. When you have props like Sarah Bern who run in 40 metre tries you know coaches are going to have selection headaches.
One of England’s best players Poppy Cleall can play second row, six or eight and is world class at all of them.
Maud Muir a young talent can play loosehead or tighthead and has even been known to pack down at hooker, which is almost unheard of internationally.
Having forwards breaking the line isn’t a new concept and we have seen it from all the nations in the Six Nations, but England’s point of difference is their front five’s varied skillset and ability to offload in the wide channels. The ball is kept alive and makes defenders have to work so much harder- which inevitably leads to gaps in the defence for England to exploit.
The players are also super conditioned- they are big, powerful units but can shift gears- you only have to look at former sevens player Alex Matthews and the try she scored against Wales in round three. She plays back-row in 15s but looked as quick as a wing out wide.
Not letting the forwards claim all the versatility points, the backs also have their fair share of players that cover multiple positions- Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Sarah McKenna are all dangerous ball players and decision makers, who can switch in at full back or on the wing, as well as Helena Rowland and Holly Aitchison who have both played in the centre. This allows the best 15 to be picked on the pitch rather than the best in that position.
Finishers
England are blessed with out and out finishers. Wingers Jess Breach, Lydia Thompson and Dow (who unfortunately broke her leg during the clash against Wales) are up there with the best finishers in the world. Give them an inch of space and they will take it. Having these players out wide with the midfield able to throw accurate, flat passes cause defences real problems to have to cover such width.
The territory battle
As if the above wasn’t enough, England also have a wealth of kickers. Zoe Harrison was class against Wales with her length of kick repeatedly pinning Wales into their own 22. Her ability to nail conversions from the touchline allow England to play with real width and mean that scoring in the corner can still result in seven points.
However, Harrison isn’t England’s only kicking option, with Scarratt, Amber Reed and Rowland all having a great tactical kicking skillset.
This time last week ?@jessbreach on what it was like to play in front of ???? record-breaking crowd ??#RedRoses | @O2 pic.twitter.com/O3EpjTquD5
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 16, 2022
Relentless
This is a word I use a lot in commentary when describing England. Unlike France, who so far in the tournament have not looked full strength, England go out to every game with the same mentality. They are world beaters whether they are on a run of 20 consecutive wins or two.
Scotland defended really well and Italy made over 200 tackles against England but the relentlessness in the Red Roses’ mindset for 80 minutes shone through. They’ll continue scoring tries until the clock goes red.
Big hits aren’t celebrated- they are expected. 20 metre passes from the likes of Scarratt and Rowland are the norm, casually flung to a wing flying on at pace.
For me the France game will show exactly where England are at. I struggle to see anything other than a Grand Slam for England, but France are a decent team with a high skillset across the team.
In summary, England are setting the standards and it’s a beautiful thing to see other nations sitting up and taking notice. It’s also been amazing to see record breaking crowds in stadiums as a result, none more so than this weekend’s match as England play Ireland at Leicester’s Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, which could attract a world record attendance.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments