For those of you who follow the NFL on a regular basis, then the idea of a blitz defence is just another part of the ever-evolving vocab. It then made its way across the Atlantic to rugby league and then into rugby union parlance. The “put em under pressure” aggressive defensive system is stringent when done right, but sloppy when lacking maximum effort.
Whereas attack is often portrayed as the eye candy to the meat and veg of defence, it was always going to prove crucial today. Felix Jones and England’s new blitz defensive systems versus Mike Catt’s exuberant and exciting Irish attack. The latter has been bedded in for over fifty games now; the former still on page four of a lengthy manual. It dominated the conversation during the week and proved crucial in the outcome also. Unfortunately, it was the former Munster star who came out on top in this matchup, dashing hopes of an historic back to back slam.
Jones was adored as a player with Munster and Ireland, with his stock as a coach rising since his departure from his adopted province. He parted ways with Munster back in 2019, but went straight up the ladder assisting Rassie Erasmus in their World Cup glory in Japan later that year. It was there, under the tutelage of current Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber, that the 36-year-old mastered his defence acumen.
Mike Catt’s career in rugby is longer but equally exciting in its own right. He was rugby’s first fully professional player, has a World Cup medal from 2003, became the oldest player to play a World Cup final in 2007, he’s a Lion also and has been a long time assistant coach with England, Italy and Ireland no less. Like his versatility on the field, he has implemented a style with Ireland that empowers players and has them striving to.
This clash of styles was always going to be a major factor. If England could click and withstand the Irish onslaught, then it would go a long way towards victory. Ireland’s reviews of England would have had them licking their lips.
As it turns out, England simply stopped Ireland from playing. They flooded the breakdown, shot out of defence and just wrecked havoc. It’s just reward for Jones’ spectacular rugby brain, and it only took England being written off by everyone to make them realise the importance of defence. From 1-23 they fronted up and frustrated Ireland, playing the role of the enemy they so often enjoy.
💬 "It's all positive emotion at the moment"
England defence coach and former Ireland international Felix Jones reacts after this evening's result in Twickenham #SixNations #ENGvIRE Report: https://t.co/FTnaiyfOUk pic.twitter.com/yYscUrBUvA
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 9, 2024
To their credit, Ireland’s midfield made the most of the scrappy possession they did have, but it wasn’t enough. James Lowe’s two tries stemmed from good play from the Crowley-Aki-Henshaw axis, but far too often they had to run up blind alleys in hope of recyclable ball that Ireland could restart from.
Although this game was a nail biter that went down to the very last moment, there’s no doubt that Felix Jones was the mastermind of this hammer blow, just like Joe Schmidt did to the nation in October.
Once Steve Tandy and Gregor Townsend move on from their tournament altering loss in Rome, they will try and pick apart that Irish showing in hope of a rare Dublin scalp and major tournament upset. England’s sheer power and 3-lock-pack caused Ireland stress, but that’s not how Scotland usually line up.
Tandy’s defence is more of a hybrid model, closer to Ireland than England, and have struggled to maintain Ireland in recent years. That said, they will surely try and replicate certain elements. Expect someone like Andy Christie or Rory Darge to act as a shooter in midfield with Huw Jones off the edge. However, if they fail to get parity up front they will be a mere pale imitation of England.
It wasn’t a perfect showing from either side, but the better team definitely won. England looked greatly improved in all passages, and Ireland played within themselves, struggling to find a solution when needed. The usual punch and gusto provided from the Irish pack was no match for an English system that finally clicked, way before schedule too.
Ireland need to regroup quickly, and inflict ultimate pain on Scotland en route to a second consecutive Championship. They will be disappointed, that goes without saying, but how the react to this crushing blow will tell us more about them than any result in the Farrell era.
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