The Six Nations heads into round 3 this weekend with the Irish hosting Wales in Dublin, England and Scotland scrum down for the Calcutta Cup in Murrayfield and the French who take on the Italians at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Gambling Zone is delighted to welcome former England capatain and England's most capped hooker, Dylan Hartley into the zone for the final three rounds of the Six Nations. Each week Dylan will be casting his eye over the action and shraing his expert opinions.
It doesn’t stop there! In this month's edition of our video podcast In The Zone, presenter Manish Bhasin sits down with 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall, which you can watch below.
Get In the Zone with Dylan and the first of three interviews which you can read below.
WATCH IN THE ZONE WITH MIKE TINDALL
On England
The difference between captaining your club side and country
There’s a different level of scrutiny when you captain your country versus captaining your club side. There is a greater expectation captaining England, whereas when you captain your club, you have more time to rectify certain elements of the role over a longer period when compared to tournament rugby.
As a club captain, you can learn and mature. You’re allowed to lose. When you’re the captain at an international level, you get one shot. You’ve got five games in a row at the Six Nations then you have four games in a row for the autumn. You have three tests in a row in the summer and you have to get it right from the off.
I think the biggest challenge of being an international captain is getting everyone on the same page before the matches start. That will have been the biggest challenge for Jamie George. Ten days out from playing Italy in the opening match of the Six Nations, he has to be the glue that bonds together a squad of forty guys and, it’s a bit like the first day of school in many ways. There are new relationships to build and new players to get to know who are experiencing that international environment for the first time.
You then have to deal with the new standards that the coach Steve Borthwick wants to set and bed in his philosophy and culture. Getting forty people to be completely aligned in such a short space of time, when you only really train once or twice a day for an hour, it gives you limited time to bond with your team mates.
Club rugby is completely different. It takes years for a successful team to come together whereas with international rugby, you have to get it right straight away. You have all the challenges off the field, but you also have to lead by example on the field and deliver.
99% of a captain’s job is unseen. The majority of captaining for me is what they do from Monday to Friday to get the team ready. That is where you earn your bread as a captain.
Saints and England captain Dylan Hartley
Courtney Lawes’ unapologetic physicality statement
I loved Courtney’s comments about rugby being unapologetically physical. I’ve been saying this all along, we need to stop apologising. You can’t change the game; the game is gladiatorial. The foundations of the game and what’s celebrated about it is that physicality. People watch rugby because they want to see the physical competition. That’ the reality of it and, if you take that physical element away from rugby, you don’t have a game.
After reading Courtney’s comments, I wholeheartedly agree. So many things in this world are dangerous. Formula One is one of the most dangerous sports, but its celebrated for being quite glamourous and sexy, but the reality is, when that goes wrong, it goes very wrong. There are so many sports that are so dangerous that nobody focusses on.
Rugby has attracted a lot of negativity about the risks involved in playing the game. I love the way that if you speak to anyone that has played the game, they celebrate it. There is a massive cultural and mental element to the sport. It’s inclusive and lifelong bonds are formed playing it.
I thought Courtney’s comment where he said “the games for everyone, but not anyone” was spot on. I loved that comment. Everyone can play, but not everyone can make a go of it, and you need to be a certain type of character to stick at it and thrive at the game to see the benefits of the game.
Courtney mentioned processed foods and screens, and, for me, that is a much bigger risk. I think people need to look at the bigger picture. Don’t go after sport. If you’re going to go after rugby, then go after every other sport. You have to take risks to get rewards in life and I wholeheartedly believe that the benefits of sport outweigh the risks involved by far.
It feels like it’s taken someone like Courtney to stand up for the game rather than accept some of the negativity and criticism that have been coming rugby’s way over the last few years.
Courtney’s comments are powerful as he’s a current player with the on-pitch credibility along with a respected voice - I do fear his voice is only being heard as the media focus and feature the guys when retiring from the international game, they all make liberated and refreshingly honest statements and suggestions from the tip of the spear that would benefit our game but, unfortunately, never make it to where they can be implemented.
I think governing bodies are frightened because of lawsuits and the everyday rugby person is confused and conflicted - it needs to come from the top to make a stance, just like a strong coach with a strong voice, the message and tone is set there.
There is now a greater understanding of the dangers and risks involved now if we’re talking about TBI or concussion. People understand now that if you do not respect concussion or head knocks, it can lead to worse things down the line.
Culturally the education around the game has changed. Parents and players know the risks of playing again too soon after a head knock. The education piece has happened and there is a clear understanding of the risks involved. The games been through that now and I think it’s time to get over it and go back to celebrating what makes the game great, which is the physical aspect of it.
Why the England A Team is a good move for rugby
I think it’s a great move. People like watching meaningful rugby and I think fans also like to get a glimpse of what’s coming in regard to the future of their national teams. International second teams give players an opportunity to get a chance to play and impress.
That was the path that I took. I played three games for England Saxons and got my call up. I think it’s a hell of a pathway into international rugby for players. England have the depth to field another team and I think there are probably some concerns around other nations being able to so the same, but all the international teams that follow this path will have to find the players and younger stars will emerge.
I think it’s a lovely pathway. Henry Pollock is someone that I’ve mentored, and it was great to see him scoring a hattrick for England U20’s. If you compared Henry to a Tom Pearson or a Courtney Lawes physically, then you would say that he’s probably got a little bit of development to do, so it’s a great pathway for younger players to step up to men’s rugby and thrive on that stage. It’s great for talent development.
I think Scotland and certainly Wales have been guilty of fielding a fifteen and a twenty-three internationally without having much experience behind them. Iconic fifteens, especially for Wales, guys like George North, Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn – you could name the team with your eyes closed. You build these guys, but it’s a bit of an oversight from Wales to not have any other players coming down the pipeline, there should be players pushing the whole time. England have always done it and Eddie Jones did a really good job of succession planning. Look at the flankers. It started with James Haskell and Chris Robshaw, then the Curry brothers and Underhill emerge, followed by Ludlam and Earle to name a few – it’s a constant conveyor belt. There’s always progression and that is down to guys being given opportunities.
I believe that Wales have the talent to follow the same path. Ireland do it really well – look at what the provinces are doing in terms of european rugby. Ireland have got a steady pipeline of players coming through as well. You just need to look at Leinster play. That’s the Ireland A team.
Mercer not part of Borthwick's plans
There is a great depth to England’s squad, but is there too much depth? For example, Zach Mercer isn’t anywhere near the squad at the moment. Is there a bit of an obsession in the media for the player that isn’t in the squad rather than focussing on the guys that are in the team?
I think England rugby fans are fiercely loyal and can be a little bit tribal about the players that play for the club’s they support. Everyone’s favourite player is their club’s number eight. Number eight is one of those positions where players typically play well week in, week out, because they get lots of touches of the ball and high involvements.
If you look at New Zealand in comparison, there’s five super teams and not all five number eights can play for the All Blacks. There are always players that are going to miss out, but you don’t hear them sulking. Ultimately, Steve Borthwick has a way that he wants to play the game, Eddie Jones had a way that he wanted to play the game and they both pick players to fit that.
I would not have had a career if every coach I played for didn’t prioritise set piece. I was typically five to eight kilos heavier than most hookers and my set piece was very steady. I was always in the 90% for my line out and the scrum got a little bit easier towards the end of my career. There are always going to better players. Mikey Haywood at Northampton was far more dynamic as was Jamie George and Tom Youngs. Lee Mears was more skilful than me.
I was every coach’s preferred player because I was heavier and my set piece. It’s just one of these things that the players who are not in the squad or not playing have to deal with. Eddie wanted size and weight and Billy Vunipola had that in bags, like 10 kilo bags more than everyone else. It’s one of these things. Zach Mercer plays a great game and I love him as a player and he’s a great bloke, but how does Steve Borthwick want the balance of his back row to look? I’m not sure that Zach Mercer fits into that. Ultimately, Borthwick will have his favourite player for number eight and he can’t pick them all.
Scotland vs England Preview
How do you think Scotland will cope with being slight favourites?
I think it’s fair that the bookies have made Scotland favourites. Recent history says that they should be favourites, but I think England will like going into this match without being labelled favourites.
Scotland by their own admission struggle with consistency. They can be world-beaters on their day; they can create things and they always have the bit between their teeth when they play England. They seem to raise their game.
How do they deal with being favourites? I’m not sure.
It’s a difficult task going to Scotland – it’s not what it used to be – they’re a different animal. There is a genuine belief in this Scotland team. Finn Russell’s an inspiration with the way that he plays and his whole demeanour and attitude lifts those around him. The attitude he has towards the game is infectious and he’s the sort of player that the Six Nations needs.
How will England expose Finn Russell or how will he expose England?
We’ve seen England with their rush defence; with a whole new level of line speed. Finn is one of these players that can manipulate depth and he can even take the ball really flat and encourage the England defence onto him. Equally, he can goad the defence to come on to him quite deep and if you look at guys shooting out the line for England, putting pressure on fly halves, Finn’s got the ability to the ball inside, outside, on his foot and can exploit that.
I think it will come down to who cracks first. Do they put his skills under pressure, or does he exploit England’s line speed? It’s going to be interesting.
England's defence v Russell interesting battle
Who do you think Steve Borthwick should go with in place of Alex Mitchell and do you think we’ll see Manu Tuilagi back in the team as well?
Manu’s back in training. Fraser Dingwall and Manu Tuilagi are two completely different athletes. From what we saw from Steve Borthwick at the rugby World Cup is that he picks a team. He doesn’t have his fifteen – he didn’t at the World Cup, and he changes the team to suit the opposition. I think this might be the first time that we see him deviate from the team that he has picked for the opening two matches. I think he will pick a team to exploit Scotland and I can see a bit of Manu coming down Finn Russell’s channel. That’s no slight on Fraser Dingwall who has done fantastically for England. Borthwick could use Manu at thirteen, but if I think you’ve got Manu in the team, then every day of the week he’s got to be playing. I would expect him to be in the mix somewhere.
Are England contenders?
I think if England beat Scotland, then they are contenders. England are quietly going about their business. It’s like England in the World Cup, nobody expected them to do anything at the tournament and quietly they go about their business and appear where they need to at the right time.
If England get past Scotland, then they’ll be playing Ireland. Anything can happen at the Six Nations and any team can lose one game and still come out on top at this tournament.
Wales vs Ireland Preview
Do you give this Welsh side any chance on Saturday?
I’d like to give Wales a chance, but I can’t. It’s not about Wales, it’s about Ireland being too good. In Dublin, after another week of training together, I think the Irish will be too strong for them. They will be stronger, tighter, well drilled and the spirit in the camp will be high.
Wales will give them a good game, but I just think the Irish are way too powerful for a young Welsh side that still have a bit of learning to do. I think it will be too much of a big ask for them.
France vs Italy Preview
France have stuttered at the Six Nations so far. Everyone has been pretty vocal about how they’re not the same team without Dupont. The players will be wanting to prove people wrong and will be motivated by the fact that they’ve gone from World Cup favourites to being nothing without one player.
They will have benefited from another week together. They would have addressed a few issues and I expect them with the quality that they’ve got to come flying out of the blocks on Sunday.
In Paris, I think it will be too much of a big ask for Italy Even though I’ve been quietly impressed with some of their rugby. I am also looking forward to seeing Louis Lynagh give it a crack.
On Louis Lynagh
Is Louis Lynagh a missed opportunity for England or Australia?
It’s tough to say. Those who’ve seen him play week in, week out for Quins will be better qualified to say because I don’t watch Premiership rugby every single week, but I did see him score an absolute wonder try not so long ago. He does some great things.
Here’s a kid with an opportunity to go and play international rugby. Does he wait (for an England or Australia call) or go for it? He’s absolutely going for it. Wing is a pretty difficult position. There’s not many guys that sit in a wing position internationally for years. It’s a highly competitive position and, these guys are so finely tuned, so the slightest sort of injury or form can have a massive impact on your international career.
I think it’s a pretty bold decision by Louis and a proud decision as well. He’s proud to be half Italian. Good on him. Go for it. He is exactly what Italian rugby needs. If you look at the rest of the rugby world – your Bundee Aki’s or Duhan van der Merwe – it’s pretty common in international rugby.
I think it’s good for the international rugby community. He takes his Premiership experience to the Italian side, which is only going to benefit the game. He’ll add to that environment and I’m sure he’ll learn a lot there too. I think it’s a great moment for him.
Bold decision by Lynagh
Players who Have Caught The Eye
Have any players caught your eye that we haven’t mentioned across the championship?
I would say Tommy Reffell. Again, I think he’s going to go on to become a Welsh great. Wales seem to produce these fantastic rugby players and he looks like he will be someone they can build a team around for a long time.
I’m a big fan. He quietly goes about his business. For a Welsh team that is in transition, I think they can really build around this guy. They need to wrap him in cotton wool. It’s a high turnover position. Flankers have always got their head down and are expected to carry the ball a lot and have a high tackle count. If you look at all back rows faces, you can see they’ve had a tough paper round.
