You wouldn't data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Agree Ireland v England was a product of circumstances, both teams got into the nitty gritty and overall it was a poor spectacle. Farrell has been a fairly reliable source of cheap points in the tournament but England cannot be singled out for a lack of flair. The tournament has not been an exhibition of attacking football
Since it is mentioned, Ireland could have bagged a few in the first half against Scotland but for poor offloading and decision-making
2013 suddenly has an air of being a transitional period for all the participants. Perhaps 2014 when more settled and working towards a final WC squad and less 'interim managers' around, we will see more focussed intent
Do not agree about better defending. Players do not particularly strike me as being technically better ability wise than a given past generation. Perhaps better coached and prepared granted.
The defending is definitely better. The players are full time professional for one and physically look much more athletic and bigger than past generations to me. Better coached could mean they have become better defensive wise surely?
No dispute sports science has advanced greatly and continues to eek that extra 1% at the very top of professional sport
However the most fundamental thing remains ability. No dietician, physio or gym routine will make up for the lack of ability. Now if you are going to tell me we have never seen rugby players of this standard before,... come on data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Players are much more prepared than yesteryear. But organisation and an advanced coaching setup does not necessarily translate into execution. The opening weekend this year was really good viewing but overall as we head into the penultimate round am not particularly seeing rugby that is blowing my socks off. Sure we have one or two "yeah he will get into the Lions squad" but am not seeing elite world class rugby. Rightly that bar should be set exceptionally high. Everyone has their own standard and measure of course.
Of course we have definitely seen quality in the past. I just find the defence is much fitter, faster and they are up on the attack so fast there just seems less space to with. Especially at international level with the better teams.
Totally agree. The defence is so sown up at the moment I can see at some point maybe the reduction of 1 or even 2 of the back line players to create more space like in RL.
That's exactly what my old man said they should do
Clever man data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
its easier to defend than it is to to attack.The former requires supreme organisation the latter the ability to find openings in very well organiosed defences.That requires the kind of talent the likes of Fofana and O'Driscoll have
i also think the first round of matches were very good but subsequent ones were largely dictated by conditions and the opposition
Hoping for Scottish win because its about time they became a competitive force again and an Irish win because its time France got the wooden spoon and besides the Lions need the Oirish at the top of their game.Tomorrow obviously a good English win would be nice