In the Champions Cup final I stand fully behind my initial assessment that Leinster, in an epic game of small margins, were ultimately undone by their own trademark ill-discipline and bad habits at the breakdown. There was always going to come a day or a time when a referee took against their antics and frankly downright dangerous play and unhappily for them that proved to be the final quarter of a Champions Cup final.
It’s ironic. I thought they got away with murder against both Leicester and Toulouse and, if they had been refereed more harshly on those occasions, they might have mended their wicked ways. There is not, for example, the slightest doubt in my mind that Josh van der Flier should have got a yellow or even a red when he went flying into Rodrigue Neti at that caterpillar ruck in the second half against Toulouse. Instead Neti copped it.
Among other things, this is a massive wake up call to Ireland who also play fast and loose at the breakdown, more so than any major Test team I can think of. Ireland are more than good enough to win the World Cup this autumn but are they clever and humble enough to appreciate that a flaw in their make up has been identified? Referees will now be on their case at the breakdown. The genie is out of the bottle.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 28, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 28, 2023-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
