6 Nations 2021

[munster#1]

RoG on Lowe and defence

"It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explaining.

The first one, from George North at 13-6, is a straight-up case of looking for a phantom attacker (Halfpenny) who is so much less of a threat at that moment. There is only one live threat in that moment, it’s George North, you hit him stone dead, get him down on the ground. End of story. Why push off onto the ‘ghost’ outside? The threat is North. Hit the threat.
If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.


Let’s be fair and apply context here. We are talking about fractions of seconds. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But scanning in front of you, watching where the ball is and numbering off is a critical part of Test defending. If it’s a five-on-three for the attack, of course Lowe would have had to do something spectacular.


But Ireland were lined well, it was five-v-five (in fact probably six v five in Ireland’s favour), hence you number off against the man opposite you. Lowe hit in a channel, which has essentially created a problem when there was no try on

If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.
".

Whatever your personal opinion is on Rog, and I know he decides the nation, but he is a great and very interesting analyst of the game.

Hopefully at some stage he returns to our island to impart his knowledge on Irish rugby.

[CiaranIrl]

Admission: I'm a bit out of the loop in the who's who of the french team. I'm fairly familiar with most of the backline, but I don't recognize a few of the pack at all. I'm not sure I've ever heard of the number 6 at all for example.

Would any of the knowledgeable folks be up for a bit of an analysis of the French team?

[munster#1]

15. Hugo Keenan 14. Keith Earls 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. James Lowe 10. Billy Burns 9. Jamison Gibson Park 1. Cian Healy 2. Rob Herring 3. Andrew Porter 4. Tadhg Beirne 5. Iain Henderson CAPTAIN 6. Rhys Ruddock 7. Josh van der Flier 8. CJ Stander

16. Ronan Kelleher 17. Ed Byrne 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Will Connors 21. Craig Casey 22. Ross Byrne 23. Jordan Larmour

This team does not I still confidence at all.
The bench is probably one of the weakest we have had for a good while.

Our back 3, primarily our wingers will be targeted massively, and I don’t think Larmour will add any strength to that area.

Saying that, I hope to be proven wrong.

[Barry]

RoG on Lowe and defence

"It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explaining.

The first one, from George North at 13-6, is a straight-up case of looking for a phantom attacker (Halfpenny) who is so much less of a threat at that moment. There is only one live threat in that moment, it’s George North, you hit him stone dead, get him down on the ground. End of story. Why push off onto the ‘ghost’ outside? The threat is North. Hit the threat.
If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.


Let’s be fair and apply context here. We are talking about fractions of seconds. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But scanning in front of you, watching where the ball is and numbering off is a critical part of Test defending. If it’s a five-on-three for the attack, of course Lowe would have had to do something spectacular.


But Ireland were lined well, it was five-v-five (in fact probably six v five in Ireland’s favour), hence you number off against the man opposite you. Lowe hit in a channel, which has essentially created a problem when there was no try on

If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.
".

Where is this from?

Irish examiner

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

[outcast eddie]

Forwards decide who wins the game apparently.

Unless, of course, some of the backs have such a howler it negates all their good work.

I'm looking forward to this game with trepidation.

[LeinsterLeader]

RoG on Lowe and defence

"It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explaining.

The first one, from George North at 13-6, is a straight-up case of looking for a phantom attacker (Halfpenny) who is so much less of a threat at that moment. There is only one live threat in that moment, it’s George North, you hit him stone dead, get him down on the ground. End of story. Why push off onto the ‘ghost’ outside? The threat is North. Hit the threat.
If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.


Let’s be fair and apply context here. We are talking about fractions of seconds. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But scanning in front of you, watching where the ball is and numbering off is a critical part of Test defending. If it’s a five-on-three for the attack, of course Lowe would have had to do something spectacular.


But Ireland were lined well, it was five-v-five (in fact probably six v five in Ireland’s favour), hence you number off against the man opposite you. Lowe hit in a channel, which has essentially created a problem when there was no try on

If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.
".

Whatever your personal opinion is on Rog, and I know he decides the nation, but he is a great and very interesting analyst of the game.

Hopefully at some stage he returns to our island to impart his knowledge on Irish rugby.

He's a brilliant analysist alright and while he was technically right in relation to the Georg North try (ie go to the danger), in that instance JL was "damned if you do.....". If you need evidence of this cast your mind back to the game we lost against the All Backs in the Aviva with the last Play of the game when Ian Mad stepped in to make a tackle he didn't think SOB was going to make and conceded the try to the man outside him. Afterwards SOB was fuming and complaining that players need to trust the guys inside them to make their tackles. The real problem with the GN try last week was IH just walking back into the line after a ruck. Once that happened we were defending by the seat of our pants.

He's spot on with the other one though. That was all on JL in my opinion

[LeinsterLeader]

Our chances all lie with the pack now I think.

If that backline has to do too much defending or doesn't get good front foot ball, I'd be worried

Big day for BB. Hope his heads right. Could be the making of him!

[Oldschool]

Forwards decide who wins the game apparently.

Unless, of course, some of the backs have such a howler it negates all their good work.

I'm looking forward to this game with trepidation.

Funnily enough I was thinking about that but the caveat is only if you have backs capable of exploiting the dominance of the forwards.
Since 2018, for Ireland, at least, we haven't been able to exploit that dominance.
Why that is the case and what has and is being done about it are the questions that we don't seem to have found the answers to.
It's fair to say that some of the things we used to do well, we don't anymore, box kick and chase being one example.

[Dexter]

RoG on Lowe and defence

"It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explaining.

The first one, from George North at 13-6, is a straight-up case of looking for a phantom attacker (Halfpenny) who is so much less of a threat at that moment. There is only one live threat in that moment, it’s George North, you hit him stone dead, get him down on the ground. End of story. Why push off onto the ‘ghost’ outside? The threat is North. Hit the threat.
If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.


Let’s be fair and apply context here. We are talking about fractions of seconds. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But scanning in front of you, watching where the ball is and numbering off is a critical part of Test defending. If it’s a five-on-three for the attack, of course Lowe would have had to do something spectacular.


But Ireland were lined well, it was five-v-five (in fact probably six v five in Ireland’s favour), hence you number off against the man opposite you. Lowe hit in a channel, which has essentially created a problem when there was no try on

If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.
".

Would the fact that we were a man down not play a role at all?

[Twist]

Le team

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps
14. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 89 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 31 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 48 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 3 caps
10. Billy Burns (Ulster) 4 caps
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 6 caps
1. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 105 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 17 caps
3. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 33 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 18 caps
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 59 caps CAPTAIN
6. Rhys Ruddock (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 26 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 29 caps
8. CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 47 caps

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 7 caps
17. Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 3 caps
18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 45 caps
19. Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 17 caps
20. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 6 caps
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) uncapped
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 11 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 25 caps

[Twist]

Conor Murray has hurt his hamstring, by the way. So he hasn't been dropped or anything.

Sexton and Ryan both out due to their head injuries last week. They "have not hit all their markers this week in the return to play protocols so are not considered for selection."

Foireann an Fhrainc;

15. Brice Dulin
14. Damian Penaud
13. Arthur Vincent
12. Gael Fickou
11. Gabin Villiere
10. Matthieu Jalibert
9. Antoine Dupont

1. Cyril Baille
2. Julien Marchand
3. Mohamed Haouas
4. Bernard Le Roux
5. Paul Willemse
6. Anthony Jelonch
7. Gregory Alldritt
8. Charles Ollivon.

Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Hassane Kolingar, Uini Atonio, Romain Taofifenua, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Serin, Anthony Bouthier, Teddy Thomas

[riocard911]

RoG on Lowe and defence

"It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explaining.

The first one, from George North at 13-6, is a straight-up case of looking for a phantom attacker (Halfpenny) who is so much less of a threat at that moment. There is only one live threat in that moment, it’s George North, you hit him stone dead, get him down on the ground. End of story. Why push off onto the ‘ghost’ outside? The threat is North. Hit the threat.
If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.


Let’s be fair and apply context here. We are talking about fractions of seconds. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But scanning in front of you, watching where the ball is and numbering off is a critical part of Test defending. If it’s a five-on-three for the attack, of course Lowe would have had to do something spectacular.


But Ireland were lined well, it was five-v-five (in fact probably six v five in Ireland’s favour), hence you number off against the man opposite you. Lowe hit in a channel, which has essentially created a problem when there was no try on

If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.
".

Where is this from?

Where do you expect? "De paper" of course!

[Ruckedtobits]

As I read that Irish team my primary emotion is how hard done by are Cooney, Blade and Marmion. All three have done much more on the pitch this season, as opposed to what has been put in print, than Casey.

I will be glad to be proved wrong but IMO he has not justified national selection as yet.

Kelleher, Furlong, Dillane & Connors will have important roles because that French pack reeks of physicality. Ed Byrne in particular will have a tough 25- 30 mins.

[Twist]

I'm concerned about a few things here;

1. Our place kicks. I don't think its a strength of Billy Burns' even when he isn't recovering mentally from an error last week.
2. Our second row looks light. Both of those guys are/were thought of as '6 and a halfs'.
3. The lineout - we're short on jumpers and short in general.
4. Our pack in general just doesn't look to have the physicality to withstand their opposite numbers.

I still think our cardiovascular fitness is better than theirs, and with the likes of Beirne, JvdF, Stander and Porter starting and Dillane, Casey, Furlong, Kelleher and Connors to come on we can press that advantage home. Its worked for Kiwi sides against saffer monsters plenty of times. Henshaw always seems to have a good game against France so I'm hopeful he can do some real damage with his current form.

I really hope Burns goes well and exorcises the ghost of that endgame last week. He's capable of good, quick distribution if the pack get on top.

[RobbieRockBoy]

RoG on Lowe and defence

"It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explaining.

The first one, from George North at 13-6, is a straight-up case of looking for a phantom attacker (Halfpenny) who is so much less of a threat at that moment. There is only one live threat in that moment, it’s George North, you hit him stone dead, get him down on the ground. End of story. Why push off onto the ‘ghost’ outside? The threat is North. Hit the threat.
If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.


Let’s be fair and apply context here. We are talking about fractions of seconds. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But scanning in front of you, watching where the ball is and numbering off is a critical part of Test defending. If it’s a five-on-three for the attack, of course Lowe would have had to do something spectacular.


But Ireland were lined well, it was five-v-five (in fact probably six v five in Ireland’s favour), hence you number off against the man opposite you. Lowe hit in a channel, which has essentially created a problem when there was no try on

If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.
".

Where is this from?

Examiner, his column

[blockhead]

I'm concerned about a few things here;

1. Our place kicks. I don't think its a strength of Billy Burns' even when he isn't recovering mentally from an error last week.
2. Our second row looks light. Both of those guys are/were thought of as '6 and a halfs'.
3. The lineout - we're short on jumpers and short in general.
4. Our pack in general just doesn't look to have the physicality to withstand their opposite numbers.

I still think our cardiovascular fitness is better than theirs, and with the likes of Beirne, JvdF, Stander and Porter starting and Dillane, Casey, Furlong, Kelleher and Connors to come on we can press that advantage home. Its worked for Kiwi sides against saffer monsters plenty of times. Henshaw always seems to have a good game against France so I'm hopeful he can do some real damage with his current form.

I really hope Burns goes well and exorcises the ghost of that endgame last week. He's capable of good, quick distribution if the pack get on top.

1. Agreed, hes not even first choice for Ulster and I think he is very weak when there is any kind of distance involved. Double whammy with Murray also out.
2/3. Agreed. Tough day at the line out awaits.
4. Agreed but, its a mobile back 5 for sure, maybe just maybe we can gain something there.

Not confident know.

[Blue not red blood]

Both Jgp and Caey will bring a speed of getting to the ruck and quicker distribution that Murray has been noticeably poor in the last few years.
They both are good snipers which Murray again seems to have lost.
Big concern is BB place kicking, third best in Ulster and not a regular.
Interesting comment on Ringrose as a kicker, he only missed one kick in SCT year and has kicked the odd conversion for Leinster.

[Ruckedtobits]

The capacity of Galtie to demote Teddy Thomas to the bench and bring in Damien Penaud shows completely the different perspective of French and Irish coaches. Penaud is an outstanding footballer but Thomas was the undoubted star, with Dupont, of last week's defeat of Italy.

The selection of Anthony Jelonch is fascinating. A Castres backrow who can play in all three positions, this 6'4" ,16st 10lb, twenty-four year old was first selected in 2017 to tour in SA having starred in two U.20 national teams in 15-16 and 16-17. He is a wonderful line-out exponent and might be the French second-choice jumper. He takes over from Dylan Cretin who is another who starred last week and retains his place in the Squad.

That is the way to build depth in a national Squad. Bringing in new young players to a winning team is always the best baptism. If only we had used our heads in 2019!

[sunshiner1]

5. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps
14. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 89 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 31 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 48 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 3 caps
10. Billy Burns (Ulster) 4 caps
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 6 caps
1. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 105 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 17 caps
3. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 33 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 18 caps
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 59 caps CAPTAIN
6. Rhys Ruddock (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 26 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 29 caps
8. CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 47 caps

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 7 caps
17. Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 3 caps
18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 45 caps
19. Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 17 caps
20. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 6 caps
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) uncapped
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 11 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 25 caps

For the first time in a long time I am excited about an Irish team. Genuinely hope we win and this is some sort of watershed were Farrell starts trusting younger players. We will see.

[Oldschool]

RoG on Lowe and defence

"It is undeniable that James Lowe was the central figure for the George North and Louis Rees-Zammit scores. The winger kicked beautifully and added a positive dimension to Ireland’s attack but his defensive decision-making in those instances need further scrutiny and explaining.

The first one, from George North at 13-6, is a straight-up case of looking for a phantom attacker (Halfpenny) who is so much less of a threat at that moment. There is only one live threat in that moment, it’s George North, you hit him stone dead, get him down on the ground. End of story. Why push off onto the ‘ghost’ outside? The threat is North. Hit the threat.
If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.


Let’s be fair and apply context here. We are talking about fractions of seconds. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But scanning in front of you, watching where the ball is and numbering off is a critical part of Test defending. If it’s a five-on-three for the attack, of course Lowe would have had to do something spectacular.


But Ireland were lined well, it was five-v-five (in fact probably six v five in Ireland’s favour), hence you number off against the man opposite you. Lowe hit in a channel, which has essentially created a problem when there was no try on

If his miscalculation for the Zammit-Rees try wasn’t worse, it was just as concerning. In layman’s terms, if you’re the second last defender, then you should be lining up the second last attacker. There was no threat inside, Ireland had numbers, but again Lowe shot up and in on North, forcing Hugo Keenan in one and facilitating a stroll in for Rees-Zammit, although kudos for a serious pair of wheels on Tadhg Furlong in his effort to get across.
".

I'd take advise off ROG for many things on a Rugby pitch .........defensive 'Reads' would not be one of them

Don't know about that, you don't become President of the Non-Tacklers Union if you can't make very good defensive reads (as in knowing where not to be).