Ford taking on the lion’s share of the kicking was also significant. England’s fly-half, whose skill in this area needs little introduction, kicked 26 times but Alex Mitchell, his scrum-half, put boot to ball on just eight occasions. It is unusual for there to be such a disparity in the kicking numbers between No 9 and No 10. Indeed, Ford actually kicked more of the rest of the England team combined: 26 against 16 (including Mitchell’s eight).
Ban on escort runners giving England edge
Although England wish to remain an unpredictable attacking side, which includes their kicking strategy, Ford’s control over that area stems more from the law tweak that resulted in “escort runners” (retreating defenders protecting their catcher) facing sanction rather than luck of the draw.
Aerial competition has thus become far harder for the defensive side but, in turn, attacking wings seldom win clean ball. The current aim of chasing wings is to jump with an arm in the hope of tapping the ball, like in basketball, back towards their side. From there, however, possession becomes a lottery.
England have internally identified these 50-50s, which often result in scrappy ball, and have looked at other ways to create transition. That is, turnover ball where the defence is disorganised, from which they can attack. That is not to say that England have stopped kicking to compete in the air, far from it, but that other avenues are being explored following the new interpretation of the law.
Look no further than the 14th minute of the hammering of Wales for evidence. Mitchell box-kicks exquisitely from England’s 22 and Tommy Freeman does well to tap the ball back to England’s side. From there, we have become accustomed to seeing scrum-halves box-kick again with the belief that the opposition back-field would be poorly marshalled owing to having to compete for Mitchell’s first aerial bombardment.
Ford tweaks this, however, and opts to not gamble again with another box-kick and risk further scrappy possession. Rather than have Mitchell kick again, with the Welsh defence having retreated swiftly and the England attack missing its outside centre from the previous kick-chase, the fly-half opts to kick diagonally and long towards the Welsh line. Josh Adams is forced to fall back and collect the ball before putting in a tame clearance into touch. In two kicks and 30 seconds, England went from clearing their lines in their own 22 to throwing into a line-out beyond the Welsh 10-metre line. The possession is far cleaner and England are far more organised.
England want their kicks to remain varied. Variety creates attacking opportunity. None more so is this witnessed in Arundell’s second try, as well as a second-half moment for Henry Pollock, where Ford opts to kick instead of pass. Simply, the fly-half could have put the ball through the hands and while that can be more accurate, the kick is quicker and, crucially, can travel forward for a team-mate to attack. England work on this in training and it is bearing fruit.