Lancaster says 50/22 will give game a kick
FUTURE Ireland outhalves could do worse than dust off their Ronan O’Gara DVDs as the new 50/ 22 rule begins to bite.
The game changer for no10s has been slow in the take- off through the opening four URC rounds.
But Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster senses there are going to be less flat- to- theline out- halves, as those with radar- honed kicking prosper.
It might not affect Johnny Sexton, Harry or Ross Byrne at his own club but it could mean a significant shake up in the centre; a no12 who has a neat kicking game will become a huge bonus.
The 50/ 22 rule dictates that if a player kicks from his own half and the ball bounces before going into touch inside the opposition 22, his team gets the line- out.
Modern
Given the high ratio of tries scored from rolling mauls in the aftermath of line- outs in modern rugby, this is being seen as a way to set up an attack.
One coach spoke recently about the opportunity/dilemma posed to teams with a scrum in the centre of the field inside your own half.
A kicking scrum- half, out- half or any potential receiver is well placed to pick a spot with an almost diagonal kick; by contrast, the defence must worry about keeping players back to defend against kicks.
Lancaster suggests Leinster have been looking closely at players such as Ciaran Frawley who provides an option from no12; is it possible Robbie Henshaw, who does not kick tactically, is to be moved out to no13?
“I think the 50/ 22 is a really positive innovation, a good one, personally,” says Lancaster of the potentially seismic rule change.
“Because what it does is it forces teams to defend a fair distance into the backfield.
“If not, then good kicking fly- halves and good kicking teams will exploit it and get attacking line- outs in the opposition 22m which is, clearly, the strike-zone.
“Certainly we have to increase our time spent understanding who is going to do what role in each different defensive area to make sure we have things covered.
“So, yeah, it is a big part of our preparation now, understanding how to attack teams and also defend that space.”
Leinster staff have spent the season watching, far and wide, examples of the 50/ 22 in action.
“We actually saw two last weekend, Billy Vunipola was one in the Saracens game, I think Eric Cronje in the Zebre game was another,” continues Lancaster who could have added in a particularly effective example from the Montpellier- Clermont match.
“With that in mind, without a doubt, and I don’t think it is just a flyhalf thing to be honest.
“Because if you look at us we have a Jamie Osbourne or a Jimmy O’Brien or a James Lowe, everyone has to have a good kicking game now.
“That’s because anyone can be asked to put the ball downfield for a 50/ 22.”
Type
If this sounds like the type of game perfected by 100 years of Munster rugby or, more recently, legendary out- half O’Gara and the Reds’ success circa 20002008, Lancaster isn’t aware of it.
“It is before my time, obviously I’m pretty young but the all- court fly- half will be the key.
“I am not saying Ronan O’Gara wasn’t (such a player) because I am sure he was.
“You can’t just have a kicking out- half. You also have to have someone who can threaten the line but also control the game with a good kicking game.
“I think our squad are well blessed in that regard if you look at, say, where we are with Johnny, Harry and Ross, all three can do that.”
Watch this space.
The 50/ 22 rule may have quite a significant impact on which outhalves are in the Ireland squad at the World Cup in two years’
time.