From Paul Morgan, Editor of Rugby World Magazine
Leicester turned in a streetwise performance at Twickenham to beat London 10-9 and become the champions of England. It was finally sealed by a Jordan Crane try ten minutes from time.
A couple of things I noted:
* It was magnificent to see a new side in the final. This will be the first, not last time we’ll see them in a final.
* I’m delighted to see a non-international player, Toby Booth coach London Irish. Just pushing past players into coaching jobs doesn’t always work and it is great to see you can make it with hard work and talent, and not because of who you know.
* Leicester never looked like losing this game. I never felt anyone but they would win, especially when London Irish failed to capitalise on the chances they created in the first half.
* When London Irish had three penalties 10 metres from the Leicester line at the end of the first half they should have kicked one of them, instead of taking three scrums. The score was 3-3 at the time and would have meant they led at half-time. In the normal season it would have been the right call, but in a final take the points!
* Leicester will have to play much better next week to beat Leinster and do the double
* London Irish got the upper hand in the scrums, but still failed to get clean possession!
* The game was won and lost at the breakdown and this could mirror the Lions tour.
* If Alan Quinlan is to be replaced on the Lions tour my vote would go to Lewis Moody. He’s experienced, tough and a breakdown specialist.
But what does everyone else think?
Paul Morgan – Editor, Rugby World Magazine, the world’s best-selling rugby magazine
If you’d like to get 32 per cent off a one-year subscription to Rugby World magazine go to the home page of www.rugbyworld.com
Leicester turned in a streetwise performance at Twickenham to beat London 10-9 and become the champions of England. It was finally sealed by a Jordan Crane try ten minutes from time.
A couple of things I noted:
* It was magnificent to see a new side in the final. This will be the first, not last time we’ll see them in a final.
* I’m delighted to see a non-international player, Toby Booth coach London Irish. Just pushing past players into coaching jobs doesn’t always work and it is great to see you can make it with hard work and talent, and not because of who you know.
* Leicester never looked like losing this game. I never felt anyone but they would win, especially when London Irish failed to capitalise on the chances they created in the first half.
* When London Irish had three penalties 10 metres from the Leicester line at the end of the first half they should have kicked one of them, instead of taking three scrums. The score was 3-3 at the time and would have meant they led at half-time. In the normal season it would have been the right call, but in a final take the points!
* Leicester will have to play much better next week to beat Leinster and do the double
* London Irish got the upper hand in the scrums, but still failed to get clean possession!
* The game was won and lost at the breakdown and this could mirror the Lions tour.
* If Alan Quinlan is to be replaced on the Lions tour my vote would go to Lewis Moody. He’s experienced, tough and a breakdown specialist.
But what does everyone else think?
If you’d like to get 32 per cent off a one-year subscription to Rugby World magazine go to the home page of www.rugbyworld.com
