In a second blog post on Ireland’s first try, I’ll examine in brief the 3 stages that led to the try. Having built pressure on the phase attack prior, Ireland were camped in the Welsh half. This particular attack begins in the Welsh 22, the second in a row after a poor exit by Biggar.
In an unusual set up, Ireland called an 8+1 Lineout commiting 9 players. However this has the benefit of allowing lots of moving parts and giving them front foot ball despite the best attempts of Tipuric and Ken Owens. Placing Connor Murray at the tail may seem an odd choice, especially as it places him further away from the next ruck. However, as usual it’s a precalled move so every player knows their role. The move from Murray away therefore has positive impacts despite seemingly erraticness, especially seen as he can’t get the ball.
By pulling round the front, he creates a slight delay in the line, as Wales have to worry about a front peel, a maul or the tail attack. By screening the play with Van der Flier positioned at the back of the maul, Wales can’t adapt quickly enough and Aki makes the gainline on the tip from Herring. At which point Murray then crosses back through the weshline, having maybe only a slight hole but highlighting a gap in between Ball and Wainwright who pushes round the corner rapidly.
Ireland then continued with a close pick and go game. This final example before Lamour’s try categorises, their tactics in the contact. From the previous phase we can see that both Alun Wyn Jones and Aaron Wainwright have been pinned, whilst on the active carry Ireland use an early latch and a late one to add ballast to the carry. By using Cian Healy from the outset on the base of the ruck, the Irish carrier is automatically pushed wider. This brings in 3 welsh defenders. Whilst Justin Tipuric is non-commital, his mere narrowing means he defends the fringe on the next phase and stops Owens working naturally to assess the options.
However the problem doesn’t stem from Tipurics non-committal, instead, Jake Ball and Wyn Jones have become focussed on the breakdown. The efficiency of the carries, with the gainline breached on almost every phase has caused wales to back track significantly. This means Ball has twisted inward and now is having to guard the fringes. As well as this, Wyn Jones has followed the lock inward, creating the crumbling foundations which Ireland expose.
At first glance, the armour try comes from a poor defensive tackle by Tompkins who has clearly over pushed. However, there is much more than this, that causes the play to succeed. Yet again, Ireland manages to have multiple pieces in motion and while certainly not as equiste as the Sexton try against Scotland there is beauty in the moving of multiple pieces.
However, this beauty is hard to understand with a tight angle. Instead let us consider the try from behind the posts.
As you’ll see at the beginning of the clip you’ll see Tompkins alerting Wainwright to a threat on Larmours inside. This causal inside arc is intended so that two things are possible. By moving fast, Ireland can get set quickly into their 1-2-2-3 structure. It also obviously has pulled wales apart. Wainwright concerning himself with the insight line holds his feet and is slightly checked by the Irish player. Of course, Tompkins has over accelerated in haste to get to Conway, but these little details stop an effective scramble and prevent Wales hauling down the Irish full back.
Overall, whilst a poor game for Wales, there were bright sparks. However, the credit lies with Ireland. They are settling into a new system, and despite some of the ease they found against some mistakes, they took their opportunities well. As the Irish prepare to descend on Twickenham, I for one can’t wait to see the next innovation in Farrell’s system.
If you’d like to read a longer analysis on this try and the system Ireland are developing then click below
The Analysis Guy 