'Zero chance' - Sir Clive Woodward: 'I knew there was no way Ireland could win that game'
World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woordward says Ireland had ‘zero chance’ of beating England in Twickenham and says his prediction of a comfortable win was justified.
England dominated Ireland 18-7 at Twickenham in their inaugural Autumn Nations Cup meeting, a fourth win on the trot against Andy Farrell’s men. It seems Eddie Jones’ team have Ireland’s number, as they scathed them in the tackle and smothered them in a seemingly omnipotent defence for the best part of 80 minutes.
England made 238 tackles to Ireland’s 72, and all but shut out the men in green until a late Billy Burns’ kick put Jack Stockdale in under the posts, giving the scoreline a more flattering hue despite a one-sided affair. The score was in fact the first points England had conceded in more than three and a half hours of Autumn rugby.
The mood in Ireland camp has been relatively positive following the defeat. Skipper James Ryan said he believed Ireland were ‘closing the gap’ on England, while veteran scrumhalf Conor Murray said: “If we had taken one or two of our opportunities then the game is up in the air as to who gets the win.”
Woodward didn’t see it that way.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Woodward says that England have emerged from a 13-month hiatus following their World Cup humbling at the hands of South Africa, and are now the ‘best defensive side’ in the world.
“When I saw the selection on Thursday and felt the vibe coming out of the camp, I knew there was no way Ireland could win that game and was very confident in my prediction of a comfortable England win,” wrote Woodward.
The former England and Lions boss also took exception to Farrell claiming that some of his players had changed from ‘boys to men’ during the game.
“Ireland coach Andy Farrell seemed to take a deal of comfort in seemingly dominating the game, and even claimed that some of his players had changed from ‘boys to men’ during the course of it; I’m not so sure.”
Woodward says that the possession stats Ireland boasted were misleading.
“Ireland have a high-class pack and were always going to win their share of possession, but it’s what you do with it that counts — yes, they were missing some key players, but the way they played they had zero chance of beating England. Zero.
“There was always going to be plenty of tackling for England to get through, but they were prepared for that. Judging on this performance — one to 15 — England are probably the best defensive team in the world.”
Woodward did have some advice on how Ireland could have beaten England: “There were, of course, things they could have done. The first tactic you adopt against such a stifling defence is at the breakdown. Ball in hand, there are three options: left, right, but most importantly route one which is punching through the middle of the ruck.
“Try to clear out defenders, find a hole and try to get in behind that white wall. Breach it even by a couple of feet and you start to build a little momentum.
“Secondly, there is the kicking game. Right at the end, Billy Burns showed what might have been with his clever little dink forward which set up a try for Jacob Stockdale.
“Kicks to the wings — as with May’s first try for England — were another option Ireland needed to explore. Anything to break up England’s defensive stranglehold.”
Woodward had a strong record against Ireland as a head coach, winning five of the seven Five and Six Nations games he played against the team while in charge of England between 1997 and 2004.
“England had their opponents exactly where they wanted them and Ireland merely played into their hands.”
Murray said that Ireland left Twickenham with "massive belief" even though they weren't able to prevent a fourth successive defeat to their rivals.https://t.co/5zpZ4M0aSN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2020
“Another tactic Ireland needed to employ — and you know what’s coming — was the humble drop goal. Drop back in the pocket and help yourself to a couple of drop goals to start the scoreboard ticking over.
“Lastly, when your lineout is not going well, why take that option when there are alternatives such as quick tapped penalties or rehearsed penalty moves?
“To beat a team who play like England, you must have ways of taking them out of their comfort zone. Take more risks.”
Next up for England is the prospect of Wales in Parc Y Scarlets, and you fancy that Sir Clive is backing England to get the job done there.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ahh too many OK 7’s out there at the moment, would have loved to have Harmon (and Boshier from Panasonic) included on that list (although I don’t know what I’m looking at with those stats!). I would love to see another 7 come through like Cane (who VdF has molded off), who was a real attacking machine before his neck injury and inability to turn his head/upper body to pass or catch properly forced his style to change. No sure McReight is it, he looks more like a canny McCaw than the blasters Hooper and Cane were. The real issue is what use can Schmidt mold out of his ability and skills in just two short seasons. I think Cale could do a lot of the more skillful stuff. McReight is probably best to knuckle down and do the core duties a modern day Cane performs for the other two loosies (if he’s the best Schmidt has to play with at 7).
41 Go to commentsI’ve little doubt that England is comfortably the No 1 team and not only beat other teams but beat them easily. Not so sure about France. They should be No 2 after winning 3 of last 4 matches against NZ and only a straightforward missed kick prevented it from being 4 out of 4. However, then they inexplicably lost to Canada and Wallaroos in WXV. I thought the NZ match was their “cup final” and they took the others lightly, but they were not particularly impressive in 6N except in flashes. I think they have stood still whilst Canada and England have moved forward but I don't think Canada has the depth and their team is ageing. I agree NZ not moving forward. What will be interesting is how the Wallaroos fare against NZ and then again in their September match against Ireland and then in WXV2 against other 6N teams. I was surprised they lost to USA.
3 Go to commentsI don't know why peoplenare upset here. If foreign fans think they are poor for their clubs and back it up with stats then it's probably true. Snyman would have been a legend in the NH if he was fit though. He just transforms Munster into a winning machine. Pollard is 100% the most disappointing one and his win rate outside world cups gives a good indicator. For all his clubs his average win rate is around 52%, inbetween world cups for the Boks it's 55%. Compared to other elite flyhalves who have 70%+ win rates for their clubs. If anything Manie is a far better investment if you looking for a flyhalf given that when he is on the pitch teams on average win 76% of games.
44 Go to commentsWhich captains were not human?
2 Go to commentsIt left him open to savage sledging most memorably POMs ‘Sh1t McCaw’ comment which prompted a national NZ meltdown. Cane was later substituted in that game. He had some redemption in the RWC quartfinal against Ireland but unfortunately he will be remembered for torpedo-ing his team with that red card in the final with NZ already 12-3 down.
2 Go to commentsThere should be a smaller number of teams cut off to play finals after the regular season, of course. However, with all due respect, the Crusaders aren’t playing well enough to even make that cut. They may have a late rally, if they can get some key players back from injury, but this is still a speculation as it stands. They will still have to rely on other results going their way too - their season is now entirely out of their control.
10 Go to comments1 week for two cynical and dirty plays? Absolutely pathetic punishment. He should’ve at least received 2 weeks - 1 week per trip. The guy is a cheating moron and liability. He should go back to league.
2 Go to commentsTest rugby is different level Some players are just big time players when the stakes are high they play better. The boks often lost to AUS on tour as they wanted to beat AB. Even at school level this is the case where some guys play better in tough games.
44 Go to commentsLet’s hope he misses more than just the Force game or the Reds won’t get very far in the finals.
2 Go to commentsThanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead. A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
41 Go to commentsNZ is now entrenched in Div 2 of womens rugby. Canada would be thrashed by the likes of France or England. Europe are Div 1, with massive competitions, massive money…
3 Go to commentsBlackadder dies not deserve selection. He has not played enough games. Finau is just better. Kaino's replacement at Blindside On form TJ should be the starting 9 .
129 Go to commentsThe difference is Cotter..
6 Go to commentsThey can’t handle the level of comp in the NH. Pollard was a complete waste at Montpellier - and was the backup 12 when he left. Kitschoff was stealing his paycheque every week at Ulster,- getting absolutely rinsed by backup THs in the URC. There is a reason all the Boks go to Japan - they don’t have it in them to be able to compete. And yes, they won the RWC. Where Barnes and O'Keeffe were the direct reason for that tragedy occurring.
44 Go to commentsTrouble with Jones is he has so many impractical innovations. Kemeney wasn't good enough in any position for top level test rugby. I like how Vern has Papalii playing. He's always had the workrate when in form, although I'm not sure that he quite has Cane's mongrel.
41 Go to commentsPut those results on the old CV and send it in to the crusaders bro.
1 Go to commentsJust go with a top 6 system where the top 2 teams go straight to the semi-finals and the other 4 teams fight it out for the other 2 semi-final spots.
10 Go to commentsIt’s a shame that Baxter wasn’t nominated for DoR of the season. what he did is more impressive than McCall imo
1 Go to commentsSeveral boks said during World Cup they play so hard to give people back home hope. As an Englishman the Springboks Captain’s life story is an inspiration which should give us all hope and inspiration. Rather like that other great South African, Nelson Mandela
44 Go to commentsFox News, Tucker Carlson, Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan? Yikes.
1 Go to comments