A Fazless midfield

[Epaminondas Pules]

Surely you can find someone else to fling the ball at a supporting runners face, kick out on the full and charge up out of line and miss tackles?

Aaaaanyone on this board? Assuming we're all EQP

Not me, my fitness levels wouldn't get me back onto the line in time to be charging out up and early. Actually this is a real area of strength for Farrell who works really hard off the ball, I don't love the mindset is locked on go forwards rather than scanning what's going on, but if you had to pick a default setting then go forwards is the best one to have.

I wish someone would tell Tigers that. We just seem to stand and wait for something to happen.

[Banquo]

Surely you can find someone else to fling the ball at a supporting runners face, kick out on the full and charge up out of line and miss tackles?

Aaaaanyone on this board? Assuming we're all EQP

Not me, my fitness levels wouldn't get me back onto the line in time to be charging out up and early. Actually this is a real area of strength for Farrell who works really hard off the ball, I don't love the mindset is locked on go forwards rather than scanning what's going on, but if you had to pick a default setting then go forwards is the best one to have.

His work rate off the ball is only strength if he does the right thing when he gets there. And he often doesn’t- for example flying up is only any use if you make the tackle and don’t leave a massive dog leg. Generally though, his scrambling defence and cover is very good.

[Puja]

Aaaaanyone on this board? Assuming we're all EQP

Not me, my fitness levels wouldn't get me back onto the line in time to be charging out up and early. Actually this is a real area of strength for Farrell who works really hard off the ball, I don't love the mindset is locked on go forwards rather than scanning what's going on, but if you had to pick a default setting then go forwards is the best one to have.

I wish someone would tell Tigers that. We just seem to stand and wait for something to happen.

I saw that post on the bottom of page 1, thought "I should make a quip about Tigers being the proof of that," turned to page 2 and found you'd beaten me to it.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Aaaaanyone on this board? Assuming we're all EQP

Not me, my fitness levels wouldn't get me back onto the line in time to be charging out up and early. Actually this is a real area of strength for Farrell who works really hard off the ball, I don't love the mindset is locked on go forwards rather than scanning what's going on, but if you had to pick a default setting then go forwards is the best one to have.

His work rate off the ball is only strength if he does the right thing when he gets there. And he often doesn’t- for example flying up is only any use if you make the tackle and don’t leave a massive dog leg. Generally though, his scrambling defence and cover is very good.

Yep. I used a couple examples of him flying out of the line during the NZ ‘loss’ at Twickenham to explain to/show my son why a defensive line is so important.
I’d also rather a playmaker understands what is needed at any specific point in a game rather than just running around/go forward without thought.
I also hate the thought that working hard off the ball is a strength rather than just a prerequisite of playing for England.

[Digby]

Simply applying pressure is useful. It's not always going to work if an opponent has a skilled enough move called, that one Ireland executed on us a few years back was a peach, but clearly ramping up pressure even if it's not always accurate is a useful tool in rugby, even when an attack has time they can struggle to realise and exploit it.

[Banquo]

Simply applying pressure is useful. It's not always going to work if an opponent has a skilled enough move called, that one Ireland executed on us a few years back was a peach, but clearly ramping up pressure even if it's not always accurate is a useful tool in rugby, even when an attack has time they can struggle to realise and exploit it.

Not individually generally though, bar attack stopping tackles.

[Banquo]

Not me, my fitness levels wouldn't get me back onto the line in time to be charging out up and early. Actually this is a real area of strength for Farrell who works really hard off the ball, I don't love the mindset is locked on go forwards rather than scanning what's going on, but if you had to pick a default setting then go forwards is the best one to have.

His work rate off the ball is only strength if he does the right thing when he gets there. And he often doesn’t- for example flying up is only any use if you make the tackle and don’t leave a massive dog leg. Generally though, his scrambling defence and cover is very good.

Yep. I used a couple examples of him flying out of the line during the NZ ‘loss’ at Twickenham to explain to/show my son why a defensive line is so important.
I’d also rather a playmaker understands what is needed at any specific point in a game rather than just running around/go forward without thought.
I also hate the thought that working hard off the ball is a strength rather than just a prerequisite of playing for England.

Yep

[Digby]

Simply applying pressure is useful. It's not always going to work if an opponent has a skilled enough move called, that one Ireland executed on us a few years back was a peach, but clearly ramping up pressure even if it's not always accurate is a useful tool in rugby, even when an attack has time they can struggle to realise and exploit it.

Not individually generally though, bar attack stopping tackles.

This is where his awe inspiring leadership comes in driving others ahead to ever greater things. Mostly it works, sadly mostly still leaves a lot of holes across 80 minutes