In this, the second edition we discuss three teams with styles of play that could not be any different from each other. Two of them recorded comprehensive victories over much fancied southern hemisphere opposition in the autumn, whereas the third nation is a team very much on the mend, left to lick their wounds after a disastrous run of late.
England
Twelve months ago, Stuart Lancaster took over the job of head coach on an interim basis, inheriting a team that was in the news for all the wrong reasons. Indiscipline and lack of focus on and off the pitch saw England fall out at the quarterfinal stage of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. Heads duly rolled, including that of Manager Martin Johnson. Lancaster was left with much to do, starting with building the image of the national team which had been torn to shreds in the matter of a couple of months.
The changing of the guard happened almost immediately with the likes of Mike Tindal, and Nick Easter banished from the international mix. Up and coming Chris Robshaw with one cap to his name at the time was hand over the captain’s armband, amidst many a raised eyebrow. Many did not know what to expect going into the 2012 competition. Narrow wins against Scotland and Italy, though displaying good courage and gut, were far from convincing. A last gasp loss at home to Wales followed, when Scott Williams went over to the snatch the game away 19-12. However, well fashioned out wins over old enemies France and Ireland followed, leaving the Red roses lamenting that momentary blip against the Welsh that robbed them of the title as well as the Triple Crown.
The summer away in South Africa brought forth mixed results. Having lost the first two tests, the third ended with honours even. Truth be told, England could have and should have gotten over the Boks in the second, and third tests. However, all was not lost. Lancaster was developing a group of players who were growing in capability and confidence as a team.
Come the autumn tests, England looked to possess all the firepower of a front running international side. Manu Tuilagibrought power and pace to punch holes in centre field, with the English tight five looking rock solid as usual. Players like Harlequin’s Mike Brown, Chris Ashton, and Danny Care looked sharp with ball in hand, and England looked to play a more expansive game than they are traditionally renowned for. After putting many past minnows Fiji, Australia were the first real test for Robshaw’s men. However, they came unstuck. Turning down many an opportunity to kick for goal, Robshaw opted to press for the maximum, and in the end they came up short. As you would expect, the media were very critical of some of the decision making in that game. If there were murmurs amongst the public after Australia, there was quite a rant a week later when England let a position of dominance slip to go down to South Africa. Needing a try to win the game with a couple of minutes left on the clock, Chris Robshaw (with the Australia game fresh in his mind no doubt) opted to kick for goal. As it turned out, at the hooter, pandemonium followed with serious questions raised over Robshaw’s credentials as a leader on the international stage. Battered, bruised, physically and mentally, things didn’t get any easier with the mighty All Blacks next up. However, Lancaster and his troops rose from the ashes to put on one of the greatest of English performances in recent times to well and truly beat the All Blacks amassing 30 points in the process. Not many teams have done that to the AB’s in any era. The smiles were back on the faces for the men in white – the demons of Australia and South Africa exorcized once and for all.
Player to watch: Saracens Center Brad Barrit showed great improvement with every game he played in an England shirt. However, the revelation of the autumn test had to be Joe Launchbury. A relative unknown at the time he pulled on a Wasps jersey last year, Launchbury has shown tremendous ability in the loose as well as in defence. With the ability to play either at lock or on the flank, the versatile youngster is certain to feature prominently in Lancaster’s plans over the campaign. A ticket to Australia in the summer with the Lions is sure to be within his grasp should he be able to continue in the same rich vein of form.
France
With the aftermath of the rollercoaster World Cup in New Zealand, Phillipe Saint-Andre took over the reinsfrom the parting Marc Lievremont. Many expected more stability to be restored to the French ranks following the Lievremont era that was tainted with bizarre team selections, questionable tactics, and verbal jousts against the opposition for most part.However, a fourth place finish in last year’s Six Nations was far from ideal. Trying out new combinations, Les Bleus had to huff and puff to get over Scotland and Italy, before being held to draw by the visiting Irish in a re-arranged fixture.Even their well experienced bench were unable to get them out of jail at the fourth time of asking when England well and truly ended their title hopes, with victory in Paris. Left to play for pride in their last game, away to Wales, Saint-Andre’s men did little to enhance their reputation returning home with defeat after another below par performance.
However, in the autumn tests that followed, the French were simply a different side. Dishing out a thrashing to Australia eased any fear which wasfollowed by fluid and complete performances to get over the dangerous Argentina, and high flying Samoa respectively. Flashes of the Les Bleus playing with typical French flair were back with the tri-colours propelled to fourth in the IRB world rankings.
This year, France go into the tournament with a new captain and a new strip. Having impressed in the absence of Thierry Dusautoir, Pascal Pape will continue to lead the side. The squad looks to have a very good blend of experience and young blood. Veteran fly half Frederic Michalak seems to have found a new lease of life since Saint-Andre brought him back from the wilderness. He is now in pole position to wear the 10 shirt when the campaign gets underway against the Italians. Wesley Fofana from Clermont is another class act, be it at outside Centre or on the Wing with an eye for the try line.
Player to watch: The most improved player over the Top 14 season, as well as the autumn internationals has to be Louise Picamoles. The strapping number eight has proved to be a handful at the back of the scrum and never fails to get over the gain line, bursting through tackles and offloading to keep the phase going. He is a lot more skilled than his large frame would suggest and is certain to be a thorn in the flesh of the opponents over the next couple of months. Picamoles is a big factor behind Toulouse being the force it is today in Europe. More attractiveperformances will see his name mentioned in the same sentences as the likes of Kieran Read, Parisse, and co.
Scotland
Perennial underachievers, Scotland promised much in the 2012 Six Nations when they went neck and neck with England in the first game, only to come unstuck by a Charlie Hodgson charge-down to lose 6-13. From there it was all downhill for Andy Robinson’s team as defeats to Wales, Ireland, and France followed. If one felt things were bad, it actually got worse with defeat to the lesser fancied Azzuri on the road bestowing upon them the dubious honour of the wooden spoon. A decent tour of Australia and the south Pacific followed with a historic win over Australia being the most noteworthy. However, misery continued back home in the autumn with defeat to lowly ranked Tonga marking the end of the Englishman’s reign.
Scott Johnson has been entrusted with reversing the fortunes for the Scots having been appointed on an interim basis. An astute tactician, there is an optimistic feel to the squad assembled largely due to the fact that there is only one direction they can go – up. One cannot deny that there still be some immensely talented players within the Scottish ranks. Richie Gray is one such talent. Though the former Glasgow giant has yet to find his feet at Sale, Gray makes up an integral part of the Scottish forward gameplay. Captain Kelly Brown has been in fine form for Saracens, and his ‘no nonsense’ approach to the game should rub off well on his young charges. The dark blues will look to capitalize on home advantage when they take on Wales, Ireland, and Italy. If a few other results go their way and you never know. The best advantage the Scots enjoy this year is that they have literally very little to lose, but yet so much to gain.
Player to watch:Much is expected of the newest ‘Kilted Kiwi’ – Sean Maitland who has loads of Super Rugby experience behind him. However, another key ingredient of the Scottish challenge and one that impressed immensely over the autumn was Edinburgh’s Tom Visser. The ‘Flying Dutchman’ as he is referred to can be deadly if put into space, or close to the goal line. Opposing teams will not take the Scottish backline lightly, though scoring tries have proved to be their Achilles heel over the last couple of years. The Calcutta Cup on Saturday may well mark a red letter day in the Scottish rugby revival.
