Barrett J has keys to the kingdom
The Rugby Paper|July 16, 2023
RUGBY is a game of infinite possibility, especially when it comes to dreaming up collective nouns. A “squabble of hookers” sounds about right, as does an “annoyance of scrum-halves”. And if we’re talking specifically of England coaching hierarchies stretching back to Old Testament times, how about a “catastrophe of selectors”?
CHRIS HEWJETT
Barrett J has keys to the kingdom

Other nouns are available, particularly in respect of the propping fraternity. Yet when we arrive at the midfield, a “confusion of centres” is the only conceivable choice. There is no getting away from it. Why? Because nobody quite knows what they want of their 12s and 13s.

Inside centre is particularly problematic, even in an age of positional interchanges governed by the circumstances of the moment. The A-list of genuinely great outside specialists is comparatively easy to piece together – Danie Gerber, Jeremy Guscott, Philippe Sella and Brian O’Driscoll, with big shout-outs to Tana Umaga and Conrad Smith, whose contributions to the All Blacks were poles apart but equally precious. The great 12s? That’s more of a head-scratcher.

Those of a certain age – that is to say, decrepit old has-beens like your columnist – can talk fondly of Mike Gibson, one of the quietly magnificent rugby intellectuals responsible for the Lions’ one and only series victory in New Zealand. We should also mention the wondrous Didier Codorniou, “le petit prince”, whose pass was a thing of such exquisite beauty, it prompted the Wallaby maestro Mark Ella (who knew a thing or two about weight, timing and soft hands) to describe him as “the best”.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024