Expert Witness: Joe Marler fallout baffles Lewis Moody

Colin Newboult

With the 2020 Six Nations becoming one of the most disrupted competitions in recent memory, we are joined by former England skipper and regular Expert Witness, Lewis Moody, to examine the key talking points.

Tackle count

England’s superb 70-minute performance on Saturday was marred by a lot of controversy both on and off the field. The sending off of Manu Tuilagi for a high tackle, combined with Joe Marler’s interest in tackle of a different type, somewhat overshadowed the home’s side complete dismantling of the Welsh XV, but Moody remains upbeat about the actual outcome.

“Let’s be honest about this, the end scoreline flattered Wales big time,” he commented.

“England won virtually every part of that game: the gain line, set-piece, kicking and attacking statistics show absolute dominance for 70 minutes of the match and it’s a shame a few cards at the end allowed Wales to close a gap they possibly didn’t deserve to.

“Wales were really, really poor in defence and collision. When the game broke up a little and cards took their toll, they scored a couple of great tries; it would be remiss of me not to mention the first Justin Tipuric try which was sensational and a testimony to Tips’ mobility and speed. But in set-piece and breakdown they were concerningly poor, especially if you consider they had Josh Navidi and, later in the game, Taulupe Faletau – two world-class players – back in their ranks.

“I’m also delighted a number of English players who have been injured or unavailable came through the match with flying colours. Henry Slade was a revelation at full-back; he reminds me greatly of Will Greenwood in that he’s got that leggy ability to glide past players and to offload around the back of a tackler. His kicking skills are superior to Will’s and if Slade is half as effective over his career he’ll have done brilliantly. But from an attacking perspective, Eddie Jones clearly wants Henry involved and he’s a great option to have, whether in midfield or the back three.

“I was chuffed too for Mark Wilson. He’s a simple and honest player who adds so much to our back-row stocks and offers the genuine ability to play international class rugby in any three of the breakaway positions. His speed of ‘self-recycling’ is absolutely top-drawer and this is shown in an incredible tackle count in every game he plays – he’s an absolute workhorse. When you factor Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola into the equation then England’s back-row options are immense. It’s a little strange that Eddie persists with Tom Curry at eight when Mark’s played there all his life but you can’t ignore the effectiveness of England’s loose trio on Saturday.

“However, it’s a shame that the game has been marred by all the faux outrage over Joe Marler and Alun Wyn Jones. Trial by social media, it seems! It feels like this has been blown out of all proportion and people are forgetting the fact that these two have known each other as mates and opponents for something like 10 years or more. In ‘Joe-land’ he’d have found this really funny and his aim was to wind Jones up. Loads of cheap shots like this go on, from little tickles to forearms in rucks. There’s no malice, nothing sexual, just a bit of cheek from Joe and it appears that the armchair fans have somehow rallied to make this a much bigger deal than the players will find it.

“More frustratingly, England now won’t play until the summer and I feel that the team would have relished a run out in Rome. England’s end of season scorecard will have a pretty big tick on it as far as I am concerned. They’ve lost world class players through injury, learned a lesson in Paris, but have emerged as the most consistent side in the competition,” concluded the former England skipper.

Gregor’s pride

“Scotland were much improved on Sunday in that they finished the good rugby they’ve been starting. They’ve been really annoying to watch thus far as you felt that the losses they’d suffered were absolutely self-inflicted via poor final execution. The big difference in this game was they delivered the final pass or the decisive play without error, something that Gregor Townsend will be mightily proud of.

“Whilst we can admire the finishing, and in particular the lines Sean Maitland ran, both in his try and in setting up others, this was a win based upon real quality of breakdown control and defence. Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie were absolutely outstanding all day and real menaces in sealing off and controlling the primary collision. Watson continually impresses me; he’s pound for pound the hardest tackler in the competition and he’s had an outstanding season.

“France will be furious. They approached this game very casually which is frustrating but hardly unexpected. Perhaps they’ve a right to be frustrated about the red card as a lot went on before the punch and it’s rare in the modern game that players get to that level of anger without some form of prior cause. There are a few pictures flying around of the incident but I feel the officials focused on one aspect, the punch, without closely examining the build up to that.

“Overall, they emerge from the tournament with huge credit and a new stable of fine players. Ireland may well have struggled away in Paris this weekend and it’s annoying that we can’t see that conclusion to a credible season for Les Bleus.”

Celtic clash

“It seems strange that we’ve only got one game to preview in the final weekend but it promises to be a crackerjack. Wales are in a weird place; dismantled by England, turned over at home v France and beaten in Dublin, they’ve looked unsettled and a little stale. Their set-piece has come under severe pressure and they, inwardly, must be concerned.

“Scotland will come to Cardiff on the crest of their fine win and with a lot of confidence after translating attacking opportunities into points.

“The game is particularly interesting as I feel if Wales use a big kick strategy, then they play into the hands (and fast feet) of an exceptional Scottish counter-attack. At the breakdown, Wales could get caught cold again if they don’t compete with the spoiling and nuggety work of the Scottish breakaways. The set-piece could, on what I’ve seen, go the way of the Scots and Wales need to compete a lot better there than they have so far this tournament.

“However, this will be a game where control at 10 will win the match. If Dan Biggar is fit and with his home crowd feeding his passion, he could be their key, but Adam Hastings too is growing into a fly-half with great control.

“It’s a really tough one to call, but I just feel Scotland have the momentum and will win by a score.”

Lewis Moody MBE, a tearaway flanker, played 71 times for England and appeared in one Test for the British and Irish Lions. He was a key member of the England’s World Cup-winning side in 2003 and skippered England in the 2011 RWC. He will forever be remembered for winning the lineout that led to ‘that drop goal’.

He now spends his free time promoting his children’s charity, The Lewis Moody Foundation, which raises funds worldwide for children suffering from brain tumours.

by James While

 

England