Scotland's rejuvenation can be attributed to the Six Nations victory over England. Photo: Andrew Mogridge/Action Images via Reuters Rugby World Cup Predictor Promotion
In the visitors' dressing room at Twickenham, Gregor Townsend knew he had a decision to make. The head coach of Scotland simply had no idea how important this would become.
It was a break in the first leg of this year's Six Nations Championship and despite attempts by Hugh Jones and Doohan van der Merwe, his side were trailing by 13 -12.
The stakes were high. Scotland were aiming for a third Calcutta Cup win, but Townsend went into the championship not knowing if his contract would be renewed after that World Cup.
Townsend was particularly concerned that England were able to comfortably handle his team's footwork and put pressure on their team again. Decision making has also sometimes harmed his side. Too many times during that first half, his team missed opportunities to attack space and chose to strike instead.
The idea of a break would not only turn the fight on its head, but also determine the advantage of his team. tempo attack strategy for France World Cup campaign.
To encourage his players to consider attacking space as their main goal, he encouraged them to keep the ball in their hands, even from deep, and the ripple effect was to unleash a collective attacking ambition led by but not limited to Finn Russell. alone.
The strategic change expanded the possibilities for Steve Borthwick's team, showing their level of fitness and creating space in the final quarter for Scotland to seal a 29-23 win with Van der Merwe's stunning second attack. it started at 22 (see video below).
«The way we played at Twickenham this year extends to how we fight with any team, because it was in those last 20 minutes that we really showed ourselves, ”Townsend told Telegraph Sport.
«We weren't.» satisfied with our game in the first half, although we made two really good attempts, because we attacked not ambitious enough.
“I think our players knew that the game was turning into arm wrestling, in which you can go anyway. We needed even more control and promotion of the game, and then opportunities appeared.
“The last try was incredible, it required the ability to go past the net and then again past the net, and in the lead up to the try, you saw how Sione (Tuipulotu) in the half of the scrum passed the ball to Finn, Fraser Brown. in prostitute position, he then passed to Richie Gray in the second row, whose pass went under pressure to our No. 8 Matt Fagerson and then to Doohan.
“That's what gives you the biggest boost as a coach. It doesn't depend on one or two players, it's a team effort. It depends on them all being in the right place and making the right decision under pressure when their lungs are screaming because it's the end of the 80 minute test match.
“At the international level, you I had enough time to analyze the situation and after the Six Nations, the last 20 minutes against England and how we played against France, it gave us a plan. This is our game and we just need to get better at it.”
Hone our game on all courts
While England struggled to define and implement their attacking strategy after losing six nations, Scotland held summer months, focusing your fitness and training on honing your game on any court.
They may have the misfortune that they are faced with this. found himself in a puddle of death alongside South Africa and Ireland, but a win and a minor loss to hosts France last month gave Townsend confidence that his team's attacking prowess could match any team's — and he regrets his decision to bet £10 in the win teams every time a winger scores a goal.
“It takes skill, ambition, communication, an understanding of space, and good physical fitness,” adds Townsend. “If you play a wider game and keep the ball in play, then you will be able to apply those skills under pressure and we will get to the target. It would have been nice to have a couple more test matches before the World Cup but we saw enough signs, in particular the second half (against France) at Murrayfield when we lost, and the start and end of the game in St. Louis. -Etienne to show that we are making progress.”
Scotland pressed France hard during the RWC warm-up matches. Photo: Paul Ellis/AFP
How this philosophy will deal with juggernaut Springboks in their first match remains to be seen, but Townsend is not intimidated by it.
«We have to play according to what we believe in . our strengths are our speed and our fitness, not slower power plays,” he says.
“The strength of our people is definitely our creative players and passing ability, as well as our players who can defeat you in one go.» on one. So, if we ignore the fact that we are only using 50 or 60 percent of our capacity. If we insist on it more, then we will give our creative players, our brilliant ball handlers, more opportunities. And yes, there is a risk in that. But the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.”
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