Ireland vs England - Minute-by-minute

[Danno]

If you could punt the link my way - unless it's just at ITV Player?

[Puja]

If you could punt the link my way - unless it's just at ITV Player?

Puja

[Raggs]

I hope to try and do ruck marks myself, but if anyone else wants to try, I'm happy to share the basic spreadsheet I use.

[Raggs]

So, just setting up the very basics of the ruck marks, and the OPI/m score (overal positive interactions per minute) for Mako, is already at an acceptable level for a loosehead (0.52), before even checking a single ruck. Purely on tackles and carries.

[Danno]

I hope to try and do ruck marks myself, but if anyone else wants to try, I'm happy to share the basic spreadsheet I use.

Please do, I can at least do a practice run and compare notes with you to see if I have the gist of it (and patience for it)

[Raggs]

Here's an editable copy. I suggest making another copy for yourself, so that you have it. Remove the exclamation marks.

!

It has the first minute or so of data and the espn data, copied in.

You need to fill in the time of rucks (attacking and defensive), the quality of the carry, the carrier (if a forward), colour scheme is explained, though you may need to enable the addon that allows the spreadhseet to count background colours up.

There's a colum in the final table that doesn't work yet. I'm trying to setup a better way to compare across games, since some games have far more rucks than others, and the OPI scores look very different, despite a team maybe working hard covering ground.

[Mellsblue]

So, just setting up the very basics of the ruck marks, and the OPI/m score (overal positive interactions per minute) for Mako, is already at an acceptable level for a loosehead (0.52), before even checking a single ruck. Purely on tackles and carries.

Not all superheroes wear capes.

[Raggs]

At 4 minutes in, there's a kick from Youngs to touch, whilst May is the hardest chaser, 2nd up, easily, is Mako. 20 minutes in, and it's hard not to notice his workrate. He's a machine.

[Stom]

He is probably the best forward around right now...

[Raggs]

Danno, if you do try the ruck marks, I'd suggest just do attacking rucks at first, gives you a decent start point, don't bother with the other nonsense I do, I'm just trying to build up a full picture.

[Danno]

Thanks Raggs. I'm going to need to do some local logistics or else wait until Saturday morning as either the spreadsheet or the game would need to be done via my phone, which is nightmare fuel (others need to use the TV AND the laptop in the evening, I'm informed).

I'm having a rewatch in the meantime which is probably a really good idea as there's some exciting stuff that would have me failing to do the job. Also yelling about some of Garces' oversights. The headtackles, Nowell's unawarded penalty and such are as blatant as they come

[Raggs]

He was very poor all round, but he had a linesman to help him spot some of the naughty stuff England did, and indeed didn't do.

[Puja]

Minute 41: Ireland kick off and it's very comfortably taken by Itoje on our 22. We set a maul and Youngs box kicks for May to chase. It's not his best and about 5 metres too long, but the chase isn't helped by a veritable phalanx of Irish players sauntering back on lines that coincidentally intersect with chasers. Larmour shepherd May out the way without incident, but Bundee Aki gets a nasty shock from trying to block Sinckler and getting a shove in the back that sends him literally flying into the catcher Henshaw. Ref and touch judge have no issues despite Irish protests and Sinckler carries on through without breaking stride to tackle a rather disconcerted Henshaw.

Ireland play a phase and then go back for a Sexton kick, which I think was going to be a bomb on Daly. Clearly Schmidt had a word at half-time. However, Curry is up quick and gets the chargedown in and the ball bounces towards England's line with Youngs in pursuit. If he turns and looks, May is there in support with a massive amount of space to counter-attack - there's 20m to be gained at least - but instead Youngs just kicks without a single look. It's poor and just gives the ball back to Ireland for a counter of their own.

Minute 42: Ireland recycle and go for another high kick that Curry gets close to charging. Sexton needs to stand deeper as he's got Curry in his face every time. It's a good kick though. Again, Daly comes screaming in from a distance away, when May was closer and in a better position to go for the catch, and again he has misjudged it badly and is barely in the same postcode. Thankfully, Henshaw appears confused by the lack of competition and drops the ball. It's slow and Youngs kicks poorly - there's acres of space for May if he just dinked it over the top, but instead he goes neither short nor long and just gives Murray the ball at the edge of the 22. Thankfully, Murray returns his generosity with a terrible kick of his own straight back to Youngs - counter attack ball with most of the Irish offside. A couple of good carries takes us well into the Irish half and Farrell grubbers to touch in the 22. It's tactically solid, and reminiscent of when O'Gara used to keep pinning us back if we were losing, but I would've liked to see a few more phases of attack with front foot ball like that.

Minute 43: Ireland win the lineout - we aren't getting anywhere near their throws, which is disappointing. Regulation clearance to the 10m line and it's our lineout.

Minute 44: George overthrows at the back and Wilson manages to get enough of a hand on it to get it to bounce to Farrell. He kicks for touch and it's the right call as there's masses of space, but a really poor execution as he hooks it straight out. Nice slow motion replay of him shouting "Ahhhhhh, fuck it. Sorry lads" as he watches it go. Good work ITV.

Another regulation lineout win for Ireland and we don't even jump. Sexton gets Curry in his eyeline again and has to ship it quick before getting a thump. Ringrose makes ground and Ireland have good attacking ball.

Minute 45: Sexton chips over and we've got no-one sweeping behind. However it's too long and bounces into touch. Our lineout is won at the front and we go for the maul and box again. Murray attempt to block May again and it's not even remotely subtle; he's checking over his shoulder to see where he is. May actually sidesteps him and runs in touch before coming into play and leaping to bat the kick back out of the hands of Larmour. Sadly, Best is first to the bouncing ball. Our defence is up sharply though, Curry is in quickly over the ball and he is latched onto it for a literal 4 seconds before Garces blows up and gives the penalty... just kidding - Garces looks blankly at it and waits until Curry is eventually levered away and then plays on.

[Puja]

Minute 46: Some big dominant tackles and Ireland are going backwards in attack again. Sexton grubbers through, we probably do block Aki's chase a bit, but no matter as Nowell misjudges his slide onto the ball and knocks on. Ireland recycle and carry well and I think that may be the first carry James Ryan has made. He's been kept very very quiet.

We again look narrow and Ringrose whips it wide, but Stockdale has overrun and has to stop to take the pass, letting Nowell cut down the space with ease. Sexton cross-kicks and Farrell takes with ease, beats one defender, and then kicks it down the line for May to chase. Again - Cipriani does that, drowning in commentator spooge.

Minute 47: Henshaw has a massive head start, but gets man and ball by the time he gets back and May hits him hard to drag him down 5m from his line. Dallaglio won't shut up about how Garces has "a feel for the game, a real sympathy for it", but he doesn't show it there as May does everything possible to clear out the way with Henshaw lying on top of him and still the penalty is given, presumably for failure to evaporate on command. Dickhead.

And now we get to the best bit of the game - Ireland attempted to play advantage, but O'Mahoney was bounced into touch by Sinckler, who then has a sly word. O'Mahoney doesn't react calmly and Sinckler has another word which leads to a bit of pushing and shoving. There is a threat or two, which Sinckler roundly mocks, and POM walks away with a few rude words and a lost temper. Garces redeems himself somewhat with an excellent telling off - "Guys. We are here. Waiting for you. And you are here. In the stand." {exasperated look at each of them. Raised eyebrow. Shake of the head. Walks off without another word}

Sinckler walks away with a smile and a joke to his teammates. POM walks away still fuming and refusing to make eye contact with Sinckler. Top trolling by the Sink.

Minute 48: *Finally* we effectively attack an Irish lineout. It's not enough for a turnover, but it ruins their ball. Murray kicks and May and Larmour take the ball together. May came in from deep and England are going forwards so it's our scrum, although I wouldn't have been aggrieved with it going the other way.

Minute 49: Entirely taken up with replays and a wheeling scrum.

Minute 50: Good solid scrum ball and we send Manu back on a switch move that allows him to bump off a few Irish tacklers. Good support and it's quick, front foot ball again. Itoje takes at pace and we go forward again, before a lovely move from Farrell - he's got an option of George on a short hard line or Slade on the pull-back. It looks for all the world like he's preparing to pull back to Slade and the Irish prepare for that while keeping an eye on George. Faz takes it right to the line before he steps left, George feints right, and sudden Mako has popped up into the gap and is running at pace into Sexton, whose minders have gone to hit George or run to get Slade. Aki realises in time to bring him down, but not before Sexton gathers another bruise and Mako's made 6-7 metres.

[Puja]

Minute 51: Quick ball again and Farrell picks the right option of Slade at pace and we're into the 22. This is how we started the match! Lots of good, quick plays around the 22m line - we're not making ground, but it's dynamic, fast-paced, and accurate. Ireland are doing very well to counter us here.

Minute 52: Mako finally makes a mistake - he's got the option of Billy on the crash or Farrell on the pull back and goes for the latter only for Ringrose to read it well and take Farrell man and ball. The ball goes loose and Ireland break and kick long. It's a minute for uncharacteristic errors as Slade tries to take the loose ball from a standing position rather than a slide and makes a complete balls up. Ireland have attacking ball against an English defence in disarray, but Sexton decides to carry it into Daly and Farrell and get the ball stripped. He really did have a bad game.

Minute 53: Kruis is off for Lawes and he's had a really good game. Scrum is set and Ireland carry into the 22 across several phases. They're moving forwards, but we don't look too stressed.

Minute 54: Both Manu and Lawes take the opportunity for some really big shots on runners who have been slowed by other defenders. It takes all the momentum away from Ireland's attack and rouses our spirits. Itoje, on the other hand is on one leg. Fair play to him, he's still joining the defensive line and looking to assist with tackles, but he's barely standing. Thankfully, before he does any further damage to himself, Sinckler tackles high and Garces gives the penalty.

Dallaglio reaches a new high as a commentator after watching Itoje twist his knee, hold his knee, get treatment on his knee, hearing Garces say "I think he's broken his knee," before piping up with, "Not looking good for Itoje - looks like he's damaged his ankle." Keep trying Lol, keep trying. But maybe do it on Iranian television or something.

Minute 55: Sexton kicks the penalty. 13-17, against the run of play.

[Puja]

Minute 56: Good kick off from Faz, but Ireland recover. Murray box kicks and again Daly hares in from deep. He's right on this one though, he can get there, rises majestically aaaaannnndddd... drops it. Bugger. Looking at it again though, there's no need for him to be running in for that. Wilson and May were right there and, while he could get that one, should is a different matter altogether. However, it does result in another comedy moment as Ireland try to play the advantage and a long, floaty pass is sent out to above and just behind Aki. Manu gets a full 15m run up to absolutely wallop Aki and knock him backwards and everyone enjoys it immensely. Except for Aki, possibly.

Minute 57: We fail to scrum.

Minute 58: Ireland attempt a wide passing move, but we're never in any danger of anything there and Ireland knock on twice under high pressure. Good work from Slade, who has been absolutely rock solid today after some distinctly average defence in his England career so far. More of this please!

Minute 59: Mostly setting up the scrum. It's a good solid scrum though and we get the ball out - that appears to be a thing we're doing today, rather than going for the penalty lottery. I like it a lot. Nowell is at first receiver and is targetting Sexton. Not much footwork there, just bosh!

Minute 60: We attack well, except for Hughes, who is strikingly noticeable for how upright he is. Needs more reeducation with Eddie, methinks. We're not really being that threatening, but Ireland give away a really stupid penalty for hands on the floor. Owen gets a relatively straightforward shot from 40m out, just to the left of the posts.

[Puja]

Minute 61: Lots of squinting at the posts.

Minute 62: Bad miss. He's a good kicker, but he always has at least one of those in him a game, especially from distance. To add insult to injury, Manu reads the short 22, but gets it tapped back out of his hands by the Irish chaser, only for Garces to give the knock on against him. Irish scrum.

Minute 63: Aki attempts to go through Curry from the scrum ball. He gets dropped, very technically and efficiently. Impressed by Curry today. Recycled and defended a couple of times until Murray puts up the box kick on May, for a change, who catches it well, for a change. Unfortunately, Youngs looks left, looks right, looks left again, before deciding against either crossing the road or passing the ball and instead puts up a kick for Jonny May to contest, despite the fact that Jonny May is at the bottom of the ruck just in front of him. Free ball for Murray, who once again repays Youngs's generosity, this time chucking the ball to no-one. Stockdale does well to make some ground and Ireland attack again.

Minute 64: The ball goes wide and it's really noticeable how connected England's defensive line it. It's a two-on-two with losts of space, but Manu and Nowell manage their gaps, aren't drawn to take the other's man and snuff out a threat that we'd have gifted a linebreak from last season. If by some chance we do win the RWC, you might have to think that the departure of Gustard was a turning point. Ireland keep trying to go wide though and Sexton is rewarded by a Courtney Go Smash special just after he's released the ball. It's brutal intimidation tactics, but it's a) effective, and b) funny when it's happening to someone else. It's also a good way of getting to the All Blacks.

Again, it looks like there's space wide and we're narrow, but Slade and Daly manage it well and cut down the attack with no great strain. Murray box kicks to May's wing, but for some reason Daly is defending there and May's at full-back. Ironic - this is the time where it would be right for the 15 to charge in and take command a la Daly, but May hesitates, Daly doesn't have May's command of that wing and Henshaw nicks the ball back. Thankfully the attack fizzles out with an Irish knock on.

Minute 65: Williams on for Sinckler, who has had another belting game. Unfortunately, this minute is taken up with us failing to scrum. I would call it a night there, but I remember what happens after this scrum.

Minute 66: It's a very iffy scrum, but the positive hook means the ball is at BillyV's feet even as it hits the deck. No need for a reset or the roulette wheel of scrum penalties and we play on. Youngs picks and fires a perfect pass across the face of Farrell and into Slade's hands without him breaking stride. That is gorgeous. If I wasn't keen enough, Slade takes two steps and, at full speed, fires out another glorious pass across the face of Manu and into May's hands without him breaking stride. The fact that May doesn't have to even slow sees him past Larmour, who hasn't kept up with the speed of passing and he's clean through. Slade points for the kick and May obliges before being cynically taken out by Henshaw. Never mind, the kick is a great one and Slade can just waltz over and touch down.

It didn't look like much, but that was two absolutely perfect passes at pace, delivered to two people who hit their marks perfectly, with a winger fast enough to beat the defence and then kick in his running stride and have it bounce just over the try line and no further. That's six immaculately performed, very difficult skills, without which the try would not have been scored. It won't win it against something that looks more flashy, but to me, that's try of the tournament already.

Minute 67: Oddly, while Slade touched down about 8m in from touch, Farrell is taking the conversion about 2m in from touch. I think Garces just walked back from where he'd stopped to look at the big screen and got confused as to where the actual grounding was. Captain Faz needed to have been paying attention to that though - it makes it a much harder kick and Faz does miss it.


Right, that's me done for the evening. The rest for another day.

Puja

[morepork]

That's a good observation about Curry being technically efficient. It's about time you had someone at 7 like that. You have gone from converted 6's that can't pass, catch, or step, through to the roid-fuelled pregnant gibbon that is Haskell, arriving finally at an actual athlete. How dare you England. Get back in your time machine please.

[BBD]

TLDR?

Minute 1 - Ireland assume the position
Minute 2 - England mount and proceed to violate Ireland
Minute 80 - The indignity ends and the campaign to sack Joe begins

[Puja]

TLDR?

Minute 1 - Ireland assume the position
Minute 2 - England mount and proceed to violate Ireland
Minute 80 - The indignity ends and the campaign to sack Joe begins

Hey! I haven't got to minute 80 yet - don't spoil the ending!

Puja

[BBD]

apologies for the Premature Evaluation - it happens........Ive been under a lot of pressure lately

[francoisfou]

apologies for the Premature Evaluation - it happens........Ive been under a lot of pressure lately

Trust you've apologised to the missus!

[Mikey Brown]

I second whoever stated that they feel like a deranged pervert for enjoying these (I think those were the words) and it reinforces my feeling that May and Curry were absurdly busy and that we seemed to stop using or centres at all for a good half hour in the middle. I missed an awful lot though.

[Raggs]

62.49, the one where May is at the bottom of the ruck. Anyone want to guess who's leading the defensive line as they move up? Here's a clue. He's a prop, he's a machine, and I hope he stays fit.

[Mellsblue]

62.49, the one where May is at the bottom of the ruck. Anyone want to guess who's leading the defensive line as they move up? Here's a clue. He's a prop, he's a machine, and I hope he stays fit.

Is he wearing an invisible cape?