Backs are turning into grunts now

HEARTFELT apologies in advance to forwards everywhere for this treacherous item because I know how incredibly hard you all work and heavens knows the bloody backs already get more than enough glory, headlines and sponsorships.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

But a harsh fact of life needs to be addressed and some coaches have already clocked it and acted accordingly. Some backs – curse them – could actually be much better than forwards at scoring from a foot out and finding a way over the line after their hard-working pack have gone through their various muscular lineout rumbles and latch-on ploys as they lay siege to the opposition line.

In the past we have rather mocked the dilettante showoffs as they raced in from wide open spaces, full of the joys of spring and their kit still untouched by mud or perspiration, to join the maul and add their ‘weight’ and dubious grunt to proceedings.

Getting in on the act and gate-crashing are two of the more polite terms used to describe such behaviour even though most forwards, frankly, scarcely noticed their presence.

Still at least the backs were showing willing and coaches like all that ‘collective’ stuff with everybody putting their shoulder to the wheel for the greater good.