Why Turnovers Have Been England’s RBS 6 Nations 2016 Surprise Package

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: February 18, 2016

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England fans, ex-players and journalists have bemoaned England’s failure to win turnovers at the breakdown since the retirement of Neil Back in 2003.

Back, standing at just 5'10", was the last high-quality scavenging openside to wear the Red Rose. But, despite all the obituaries of England’s ability to fashion turnovers, it has been the team's surprise package so far in the 2016 RBS Six Nations.



England? Excelling at the breakdown, winning turnovers? Without a proper fetcher and having to make do with two blindsides in the back row? It sounds counterintuitive, and all the more so if one notes captain Dylan Hartley’s post-match comments from Rome, where England triumphed 9-40.

Hartley’s review was hardly complimentary of England’s breakdown play, as recorded by the Daily Telegraph: “We've got higher standards. At the breakdown we were off the money. We have to tighten up.”

Hartley, though, was being harsh on his charges. England’s starting back row might have misfired at the breakdown, but as a whole team, the performance against Italy at the ruck was one of the best in recent memory. In fact, according to the RBS 6 Nations Matchcentre, they recorded an astonishing 17 turnovers.

So far in this year's Six Nations, the next-best turnover display was from the French, with eight against Ireland.

Not all of these England steals were at the breakdown, but nonetheless, it’s a very encouraging statistic.



England’s tries alone suggest a vast improvement in these areas. George Ford’s first-half try came from a superb clear-out inside the Italian 22-metre line won thanks to good rucking from Mike Brown and George Kruis’ athletic claim (see video above).

Similarly, Jonathan Joseph’s third score was made possible by a turnover following a powerful hit by the rapidly improving Kr...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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