... BUT SIR CLIVE SAYS: Salute Italians for the stifling tactics
It was a gutsy and clever idea by a wounded Italy team
ITOTALLY support Italy and their use of their innovative and inspired tactics at Twickenham yesterday, it was one of those rare moments in Test rugby that, as a former coach and player, make you sit bolt upright in your seat and think, ‘Wow, this is different, this is new’. What on earth do England do next?
Italy are scrapping for respect and pride, both personal and national after many have criticised their right to an automatic place in the Six Nations. I myself strongly believe that some time soon there should be a pathway — via a promotion/relegation play-off — between the Six Nations and the Six Nations B.
That is not anti-Italy or pro-Georgia, it is something European rugby generally must aim for.
What we did see yesterday was a very gutsy and clever, if ultimately unsuccessful, response from a wounded Italy side that felt under pressure — the sort of pressure you encounter when seeking promotion or trying to avoid relegation. Pressure can be very good for a side.
At Twickenham, against a superior team and a rugby nation with infinitely more resources, they went down fighting and scheming and plotting. It was behind the lines — literally — guerrilla warfare and I found it compulsive viewing. It’s what David always has to do if he is to stand any chance against Goliath.
In the past two weeks the brains trust of Conor O’Shea, Brendan Venter and Mike Catt burned the midnight oil to work out how they could make life as difficult as possible, within the laws, for England and they came up with what has been termed ‘anti-rucking’.
I had never seen it at this level, although I understand the Waikato Chiefs sometimes use it in Super Rugby and O’Shea said afterwards that they had seen Toulouse use it for short periods — and Australia for a brief spell against Ireland last autumn.
I’ve also seen under-age sides around the country tweeting today to say they often employ it. The tactic is entirely legitimate and it was fascinating to watch unfold in a big-match situation.
It’s a long time since I’ve seen some of the best modern- day rugby brains, like Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio, up in the ITV studio so exercised and involved in an issue. The texts and tweets were flying in from all quarters, almost all supportive of Italy employing these tactics.
It was great. Laws are not always about being restrictive, they can be looked at positively as well, an opportunity to come up with something different, a loophole if you like. Every time a new law is introduced I can promise you club