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View from the Cape – Europe, England, Defence, Centres

When I first became Chairman of EPCR in 2014, the Pool draw was a big moment due to the competition structure and the Pool of death where top teams were drawn together was always eagerly awaited. Our base in Neuchatel, a University town north of Geneva and on the edge of the watchmaking centre of Switzerland, was a bizarre choice but everyone still tuned in to the draw. Even then there were criticisms of the structure, there still are and always will be.

The simple facts are these – all three leagues LNR, PRL and URC have improved their product and competition out of all recognition. Therefore the way in which EPCR operates and chooses its model will be determined by them in conjunction with EPCR management. The Governance restructure which I called and implemented ensured that much would happen. The cluttered season and pressure on players also means that the Champions Cup has to find it’s way within a global calendar. We established the round of 16 during Covid and there are more positives then negatives from it’s continuation.

There have been some stunning ‘last 16’ weekends of wall-to-wall high quality rugby. For example, table-topping Bath and Bristol can still progress despite losing their first two, and so can the slow starting South African franchises (just). The interest will be high.

As to last weekend’s rugby, the Premiership had a rude awakening on the quality of its domestic defensive patterns, a question we were already asking. Toulon, Stormers and Bordeaux battered their English opposition mercilessly with power and skill combined. Bristol squeaked past Benetton who unlocked the Bears defence too easily at times and will still fancy themselves for the latter stages. The top form they are showing augurs well for Italy’s Six Nations chances especially when at home.

The two heavyweight matches of the weekend firstly saw Leinster hold out against an unlucky La Rochelle. Anyone clocking how heavy a tackle Ringrose is making right now? Their smother defence evident in Bristol was on show again and nullified La Rochelle’s attack. That said, the Irish stars are twinkling a little less bright and with Munster in scrapping mode and Ulster in relative freefall, I look at Dublin’s 6 Nations opener with optimism from a Red Rose perspective- not for the first time.

In the sweat of Durban, Toulouse brought out the heavy guns for the Sharks who were definitely scenting blood. The first 20 minutes was test match stuff, and the French scramble defence was exceptional and had to be. Dupont, implicitly criticised recently for his reluctance to travel, was everywhere and exceptional. He was not the only one. Mauvaka has to be the world’s best hooker with his running and passing ability there for all to see allied to the hard stuff. When you look at him and the likes of Codie Taylor, Michael Marx, Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan and Julian Marchand his deputy the value of a rampaging all- court hooker cannot be understated.

This weekend will be epic in many ways – Bath in Dublin, Bristol at Clermont, La Rochelle in South Africa and lots of places up for grabs.

You can can understand England’s momentous decision to stand down Jamie George in favour of Maro Itoje who will feel that this is his time. We have to develop the next generation of hookers as in so many positions. Everyone else is. However I do pay tribute to him. He should have been made Captain three years ago in my mind because he has been Carlingesque in his insistence to connect with the public and bring back some pride. These are the sorts of decisions that could have been made with the right structures around the National squad. As pointed out by a statistician, had he been on the pitch for a few of the last 20 minute blowouts England has endured, who knows? I hope he celebrates his 100 caps in style but he is the ultimate team man so that will not matter as much as a successful Six Nations for England.

This is entirely possible because Ireland is vulnerable and if they can eke out a win then the Twickenham clash with France is huge and the crowd will be pumped. For me the key may be defence because Ireland do not concede much themselves and English rugby players seem to think conceding three tries a match is ok – which it is not- and using blitz defence tactics as an excuse does not wash.

To indulge myself on centre play, as I usually do, this is one of my biggest worries for England in the context of a squad which can do really well this year if they get this right.. Next to no defined  pipeline I can see and confusing messages everywhere due to inexperienced coaching. Lawrence is put into gaps by Russell at Bath, it does not happen for England. Does Borthwick experiment with Freeman, Dingwall, Slade, Finn Smith or even Ben Earl – and that’s before we get to Oscar Beard and Luke Northmore. Young Ben Waghorn ex England U20 produced the tackle of the weekend against Toulon and is rated very highly. Warming his behind on the Quins bench or being loaned out randomly is just not good enough. If I add Will Joseph and Lennox Anyanwu also England potentials then that makes five from one club, how do they ever get to make a statement or form a career. At least two of them should ply their trade elsewhere surely. By the way well done to Harlequins for developing such talent!!! I note that neither Gloucester nor Newcastle provide a single player to the England Squad which is bizarre. I am just making a point and the number of centres used by England since the days of Greenwood, Tindall and Catt would be a very decent cricket score.

Two fun facts for discussion:

  1. An uncapped 20 year from from the second tier of French rugby, Noah Nene, has just been named in the senior squad for the Six Nations.
  2. I note that neither Gloucester nor Newcastle provide a single player to the England Squad but Gloucester have a number picked for Wales……. good use of RFU money?

Hallers

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