Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman pointed towards a lack of “lineout gurus” as one of the reasons for Ireland’s setpiece woes in Saturday’s win over Japan in Newcastle.
Andy Farrell’s men prevailed 36-20 at the neutral venue in New South Wales but was quick to stress to the media post-game, that relief was primary emotion come full-time.
Part of the frustration would have been the scrum and lineout, an area where Ireland found themselves largely on the backfoot, thus stymieing any chance of the quick speed of ball they adore.
Speaking on this week’s edition of the RTÉ Rugby Podcast, Jackman pointed to the lack of lineout gurus in the squad, citing Darragh Murray as the only one, albeit from the fringes.
“We don’t have a natural lineout guru”, Jackman started by saying.
“I’d say, or one or two lineout gurus (at most). We’re a bit thick about trying to solve problems. And like Darragh Murray, he caught the eye in camp during the Six Nations because of how detailed he is and how good he is at opposition lineout, but also his own lineout work, and him and (Paul) O’Connell are kind of similar minds on that.
“But unfortunately, he’s not in the front line at the moment.
“He’s a developing player trying to push out Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, which is pretty difficult.
“It’s definitely a work in progress. I’d imagine it will be better this week, but against Australia as well, it wasn’t as fluid as it needed to be.”
Darragh Murray is someone who fits the lineout guru mould
Ireland’s setpiece is currently coached by Paul O’Connell, the former Munster, Ireland and Lions captain, and has been since his appointment back in 2021. However, the legendary second-row has come under pressure in recent years whenever Ireland’s setpiece falls behind.
Jackman however has some sympathy for O’Connell, given the heightened focus on him, and the players at his disposal.
“I think also when people look at O’Connell who was a legend as a player, it attracts more coverage.
“In a lot of countries, we don’t know who the lineout coach is.”
The former Grenoble coach Jackman goes on to add, “don’t forget, the premium now is on second rows as rugby players (having) athleticism.
“So those really strategic and smart players, they sometimes don’t get through the academy system because the premium is on athleticism.
“Then when you get a guy like Paul O’Connell or Victor Matfield to a certain extent, he wasn’t a power athlete, but he had a very good engine; who are lineout callers and also able to do the other stuff really well.
“But at the moment it’s just something that’s not natural to Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne. He has gotten much better at it, but it wasn’t what he made his name in at the start.
“In school he wasn’t a lineout guru, and under-20s he wasn’t a lineout guru, and in Scarlets he wasn’t a lineout guru. He had to become very good at it.
“Unfortunately, at the weekend, just certain things started to slip, and we didn’t have the quality ball we would like.
Paul O’Connell has been an assistant coach with Ireland since 2021
Ireland reclaimed just 14 of their 18 lineouts, for a 78% return against Japan. By contrast, this ranked Ireland dead last in lineout win percentage among the 12 nations competing in round two, while no other side dropped below 90%.
This will need to be corrected sharply ahead of Saturday’s test with New Zealand in Auckland, who, as Neil Treacy pointed out, have also done a number on Ireland’s lineout in recent showings.
Taking on a side like New Zealand, in the fortress of Eden Park, will force Ireland into a need for a clean performance where turnovers are minimal, especially with the likes of Will Jordan waiting on the opposing wings.
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