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Bath and Saracens final may offer a few clues for England at the World Cup Bath and Saracens final may offer a few clues for England at the World Cup
(about 3 hours later)
The other day the Yorkshire cricket coach, Jason Gillespie, took part in a fascinating Q&A in the Long Room at Lord’s. It may not have earned him the England coaching job but the former Australia pace bowler was very interesting on the subject of how to transfer pressure back on to the opposition in an elite team sport. The other day Jason Gillespie took part in a fascinating Q&A in the Long Room at Lord’s. It may not have earned him the England coaching job but the former Australia pace bowler was very interesting on the subject of how to transfer pressure back on to the opposition in an elite team sport.
Gillespie’s view was that, on occasions, doing the safe, obvious thing such as leaving the ball outside off-stump was not always the best policy. As a coach he said he preferred his players to back their talent where possible and if it felt right, to take the risk of trying to drive the odd wide delivery for four. If they did so, he argued, it had the potential to change the course of the game, by encouraging team-mates to have the confidence to do the same and sowing seeds of doubt among the opposition. Playing conservatively rarely has the same galvanising effect. The Yorkshire coach’s view was that, on occasions, doing the safe, obvious thing such as leaving the ball outside off-stump was not always the best policy. As a coach he said he preferred his players to back their talent where possible and if it felt right, to take the risk of trying to drive the odd wide delivery for four. If they did so, he argued, it had the potential to change the course of the game, by encouraging team-mates to have the confidence to do the same and sowing seeds of doubt among the opposition. Playing conservatively rarely has the same galvanising effect.
His words felt all the more relevant as Bath tore Leicester apart in last Saturday’s Aviva Premiership semi-final. The Tigers were more than competitive up front but Bath kept playing their shots regardless and blew the visitors away. It was the same in January when they thrashed Toulouse away from home, working on the principle it was better to stay true to their instincts with ball in hand than be throttled by the fear of the big sudden-death occasion. His words felt all the more relevant as Bath tore apart Leicester in the Premiership semi-final. The Tigers were more than competitive up front but Bath kept playing their shots regardless and blew away the visitors. It was the same in January when they thrashed Toulouse away from home, working on the principle it was better to stay true to their instincts with ball in hand than be throttled by the fear of the big sudden-death occasion.
The biggest test of all now awaits at Twickenham in Saturday’s grand final. Bath, though, have already pledged not to change their preferred method, correctly assuming there is nothing to be gained by doing so. Saracens may be an excellent defensive side but even they will feel some disquiet at the prospect of Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond and George Ford in full cry. In the modern game, positive thinking seems to be reaping increasingly impressive returns. The biggest test of all awaits at Twickenham in Saturday’s grand final. Bath, though, have already pledged not to change their preferred method, correctly assuming there is nothing to be gained by doing so. Saracens may be an excellent defensive side but even they will feel some disquiet at the prospect of Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond and George Ford in full cry. In the modern game, positive thinking seems to be reaping increasingly impressive returns.
Which begs an obvious question in a World Cup year: what would happen if England chose to adopt a similar mindset when they host this autumn’s tournament? They already have the spectacular foundations of the final Six Nations weekend to build on, Stuart Lancaster’s side having stuck seven tries on France as they sought – in vain – to boost their points difference and deny Ireland their title. Might we not be approaching the point where pursuing the Bath blueprint is England’s best way forward? It begs an obvious question in a World Cup year: what would happen if England chose to adopt a similar mindset when they host this autumn’s tournament? They already have the spectacular foundations of the final Six Nations weekend to build on, Stuart Lancaster’s side having stuck seven tries on France as they sought – in vain – to boost their points difference and deny Ireland their title. May we not be approaching the point where pursuing the Bath blueprint is England’s best way forward?
The traditional reaction is to take the opposite tack. Defence wins titles and all that. So it does in a nine-month league season but these days, in a knock-out situation, pretty much every contender has a tight defensive line. What can make the difference is the positivity, precision and sharpness of the attacking threat, as the All Blacks have long proven even when they do not have forward supremacy. In the shape of Bath’s chief executioners, English rugby now have the personnel to do something similar. The traditional reaction is to take the opposite tack. Defence wins titles and all that. So it does in a nine-month league season but these days, in a knockout situation, pretty much every contender has a tight defensive line. What can make the difference is the positivity, precision and sharpness of the attacking threat, as the All Blacks have long proven even when they do not have forward supremacy. In the shape of Bath’s chief executioners, English rugby have the personnel to do something similar.
Until now the argument has been there is no point playing New Zealand or Australia at their own type of game, on the grounds they are better at it? But what if the evidence of our own eyes is accurate and England’s battalions of promising young players are finally maturing into the real deal at the top level? Are we absolutely convinced Ford and Watson, say, are miles short of Beauden Barrett and Israel Dagg in their respective roles? Or that Jonathan Joseph poses no threat to the veteran Conrad Smith? If nothing else the credibility gap is closing. Until now the argument has been there is no point playing New Zealand or Australia at their own game on the grounds they are better at it. But what if the evidence of our own eyes is accurate and England’s battalions of promising young players are finally maturing into the real deal at the top level? Are we absolutely convinced Ford and Watson, say, are miles short of Beauden Barrett and Israel Dagg in their respective roles? Or that Joseph poses no threat to the veteran Conrad Smith? If nothing else the credibility gap is closing.
It is also worth remembering that this year’s World Cup will be played on the relatively firm pitches of early autumn; purely relying on set-piece power and kicking goals might see England out of their pool but they will require something extra to go on and actually win the Webb Ellis Cup. This Saturday, among other match-ups, should see Ford, Eastmond and Watson in direct opposition to Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Alex Goode. The outcome could go a long way towards determining how England approach a World Cup that could reward boldness more than some of its predecessors. It is also worth remembering this World Cup will be played on the relatively firm pitches of early autumn; purely relying on set-piece power and kicking goals may see England out of their pool but they will require something extra to go on and win the Webb Ellis Cup. This Saturday, among other match-ups, should see Ford, Eastmond and Watson in direct opposition to Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Alex Goode. The outcome could go a long way towards determining how England approach a World Cup that could reward boldness more than some of its predecessors.
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Are you heading to Twickenham for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership final? If so, take a look around the stadium and judge for yourself whether rugby is growing ever more popular with women? Premiership Rugby tell us that the weekend ITV1 highlights show is now watched by more women than men. The number of women and girls registered to play rugby in England this season, meanwhile, has risen 20% from 15,000 to 18,000 in the past 12 months and the RFU is hoping that figure will be 25,000 by 2017. Worldwide, women’s rugby is said to be one of the fastest-growing forms of the game. On the opening day of the Lord’s Test last week a rough straw poll suggested nine out of 10 paying spectators were male. Bear that in mind as you stroll around the Twickenham concourse at the weekend. Are you heading to Twickenham for the Premiership final? If so, take a look around the stadium and judge for yourself whether rugby is growing ever more popular with women? Premiership Rugby tell us the weekend ITV1 highlights show is watched by more women than men. The number of women and girls registered to play rugby in England this season has risen 20% from 15,000 to 18,000 in the past 12 months and the RFU is hoping that figure will be 25,000 by 2017. Worldwide, women’s rugby is said to be one of the fastest-growing forms of the game. On the opening day of the Lord’s Test last week a rough straw poll suggested nine out of 10 paying spectators were male. Bear that in mind as you stroll around the Twickenham concourse on Saturday.
Two to watch …Two to watch …
Bath v Saracens and Glasgow Warriors v Munster. Two potentially gripping finals which will test the nerve and resolve of all concerned. Bath’s Mike Ford and Glasgow’s Gregor Townsend have both done exceptionally well to create positive-minded teams with high ambitions, while Sarries and Munster are experts at finding a way to win even when they are not at their absolute best. Regardless of outcome, it has been an absorbing domestic season. Bath v Saracens and Glasgow Warriors v Munster. Two potentially gripping finals that will test the nerve and resolve of all concerned. Bath’s Mike Ford and Glasgow’s Gregor Townsend have done exceptionally well to create positive-minded teams with high ambitions, while Saracens and Munster are experts at finding a way to win even when they are not at their absolute best. Regardless of outcome, it has been an absorbing domestic season.