Probyn: Red cards could be shown in every game
With the first break in the Six Nations this weekend, there’s a chance to review how the teams are performing and whether the matches are bringing what the game needs at this time.
Most of the games have had some controversy attached to them either created by the players or the match officials, providing many talking points for fans to debate and react to.
The luckiest team so far without doubt are Wales, who have had an opposition player sent off for dubious reasons in both of their games. This has given them two wins from two performances, much against the run of play and to the delight of the Welsh fans, who, after recent results, were expecting their team to be propping up the bottom of the table with Italy.
The two players sent off, Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony and Scotland’s Zander Fagerson, can both genuinely feel very unlucky as they seem to have been singled out for an offence that happens at almost every breakdown in every game.
In all games now there are a number of ‘clear-outs’ where an opponent attempting to steal the ball is targeted by a single player who runs from a distance to smash into him in an attempt to stop a turnover.
I am not saying that it’s right as I believe it is a highly dangerous act and against the laws that state players should bind together before entering a ruck or a maul.
The point is, if all referees (in both of these cases they just happened to be English) were to forensically review every clear-out that happens in a game, in the same slow motion, with the multiple angle views that O’Mahony and Fagerson were subjected to, there wouldn’t be any forwards left on the field.
The unluckiest team so far are Italy who would have achieved their second closest result ever at Twickenham, had the referee enforced the laws.
England’s 41-18 result really should have been 27-18 with two tries disallowed. Owen Farrell’s late tackle should have been a penalty which would have cancelled Michael
“England’s 41-18 result over Italy should have been 27-18 with two tries disallowed”
Watson’s try and although Jonny May’s jump to avoid a tackle before touching down looked spectacular, it was actually against the laws of the game.
Players are not allowed to jump to avoid tackles under the laws as a matter of player safety and so May’s try should also have been disallowed.
If that had happened, it would put England’s performances so far into perspective. Despite being hailed as ‘getting back on track’ by those involved, there’s still a long way to go before England return to where they were last season, let alone improve.
The French, who are currently topping the table, have once again shown what an enigma they are, a team that flashes brilliance and then dissolves into basic mistakes.
As a player the French were the team I loved to play against more than any other because of the joie de vie they bring to every game.
The excitement of the backs and the ferocity of the forwards always guaranteed an eventful game. It seemed to have vanished over the past few years, but Fabien Galthie has managed to reignite his players.
The addition of Shaun Edwards has not only improved the French defence but added a level of professionalism that, for whatever reason, French rugby never enjoyed but always aspired to.
Already the French have shown an improvement on their autumn showing thanks in part to Galthie’s success in negotiating a longer release of players from their clubs. The lockdown of the French squad will not stop them training and will cement the team together as they approach their next game.
On the other hand, England and Eddie Jones must use this break to find some direction and unity to make the talk of ‘being back’ a reality.