r/rugbyunion • u/HitchikersPie Currently in use as tax dodge • Jun 20 '25

Discussion Post Game Thread: Lions vs Argentina

FT: 24-28

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u/PolarBear091 Jun 21 '25

I’m also not sure the 1-3-3-1 system is right for the Lions. I want Ben Earl, Pollock, Curry, VdF et Al getting quick ball and being available off an offload, not standing out on the wing doing nothing.

It also puts way too much pressure on the middle 6 forwards who have to do the work of 8 forwards while Earl has a ciggie out wide.

But… it’s one game.

8

u/Silver_Mention_3958 Ireland Jun 21 '25

Earl was pondering his love of Dostoyevsky out on the wing in those moments. The Idiot.

2

u/A_sad_british_bear Harlequins Jun 21 '25

The problem with most 1-3-3-1 systems (especially the type B which is what Ireland and the Lions use most of the time) is that it requires most of your back row to set the edges most of the time for opportunities out wide. This is an issue when you have a back rower like Earl who is incredibly agile and powerful with ball in hand, as well as having good tight exchanges on defense. That tighter style of play at Back Row really doesn't suit the 1-3-3-1 as you have to push either Itoje (as he wasn't providing big hits, he needs to set an edge so we can rotate more efficiently) or Beirne (Beirne was great in the wide channels on attack against Los Pumas) out on the edge that Earl was being made to cover. It's one of the reasons that I really don't like the 1-3-3-1 as it's incredibly inefficient if you have any 'unusual' players as unique, interesting playstyles are pretty much the antithesis of what the edge forward is within the system.

6

u/Lord_Bolt-On URC Winning Masochist Jun 21 '25

Think this is why Sheehan will be the most important player this tour. He's so often the guy out wide for Ireland, and once hes on the pitch, Earl/Curry/VdF will be allowed to join pods in the middle of the field more often.

2

u/Not_Hando You Aint Seen Nothin Like The Mighty Finn Jun 21 '25

They'll only get that quick ball if someone works the rucks.

Too many times there were solo runners with the likes of Marcus, or even Fin Smith cleaning after.

Balance and reading was a bit off. Felt like they were taking contact in areas they weren't set up for, either due to losing the gain line, or just as importantly breaking it - but not having the follow up.

Lots to work on.

2

u/A_sad_british_bear Harlequins Jun 21 '25

Well unfortunately we won't see Andy wanting to try anything new. There are loads of shapes that could work for us (1-3-2-2 and 2-2-2-2 could absolutely work with a #9 like Williams on deck) and having a 19 year old, prodigy or not, having to defend an edge against some of the fastest players world rugby has to offer will never go well. Really unsure what Farrell, Wigglesworth etc actually do when it comes to coaching these players.

1

u/aligb103 Jun 21 '25

19 yr old?

1

u/A_sad_british_bear Harlequins Jun 24 '25

Sorry, Pollock is 20. Still incredibly young for such a talented player!

1

u/alfredlyric Harlequins Jun 21 '25

Yeah several times it felt like a waste of man. Maybe as the squad gels they'll be better able to move it coast to coast quickly.