Rule changes are being evaluated. Most are being used in the Super14, and there is a good chance that that set will be used in the TriNations.

http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/0/020811drelvss142008_4404.pdf
http://www.trinationsweb.com/news/viewarticle.asp?id=10803

It just needs a change in tackling technique by the defenders.  They try to push the attackers down because that’s the sensible thing to do if the attackers are genuinely attacking. But they are not, so the defenders should start from a lower body position and tackle with the intention of pushing the attacker upwards, so exposing the ball and even inviting the attempt to offload.  Alternatively, don’t tackle at all; let the attacker and, usually, his chum fall to earth and see if you can then drive over them and ruck the ball back.  What the defence does at the moment plays into the hands of the attack.

There may have been a rule change that has made this technique profitable: better enforcement of not coming at the side (I believe there was a switch to “coming from behind the last player in the ruck,” which must have had an effect), the changes in who gets the put in when the ball is trapped (it changed a couple of times from “team going forward” to “use it or lose it"). If so, amending the law makes sense.

However, as with lineouts, where lifting initially gave a massive advantage to the side taking the throw, it may be a case of coaches and players figuring out new tactics. In 2005, the Welsh especially, appeared to have pioneered tactics for disrupting opposition line-outs. My impression is that counter-rucking is being adopted by the French, Scots and Welsh, with some success. Perhaps the referee telling the team in possession to get a move on (the English ref did this to the Italians yesterday) and threatening to give a scrum to the defenders would help.

Part of the reason for the negative play is because of the way Ireland lost to France last year at Croke Park: a try scored in about 20 seconds from a restart. No team wants to lose that way again.

Looking at this weekend. The Italy v Scotland match could be even. The drama of England v Ireland is that if England lose, I’m fairly sure Ashton gets the boot. If Ireland lose badly, I reckon O’Sullivan deserves the boot, but there is a doubt that the Irish RU can afford to buy out his extended contract.

Before sacking Ashton, has anyone thought about his record? His team has played France FIVE times in the past year, winning all three competitive matches (including a World Cup semi-final) and losing both friendlies. Apart from the pride of winning in the Marseille Velodrome, I think most French people would gladly swap this sequence with England.

Although it might be premature for Italy (more so than Scotland) to decide a change at the top is needed, the loser might have a new boss soon. Mallet has not replaced Berbizier that well and Scotland continue to look worse than a mediocre Ireland, which can’t be what the SRFU have in mind.

Wales v France should be entertaining, whatever the result. Barring a horrendous refereeing decision which turns the game, I’m looking forward to a classic. And the BBC, like a lot of the media has the wrong figure for France’s target: either beat Wales by at least 20 points, or beat Wales by 19 including and at least one more try than Wales.

Welsh discipline could be the problem. If anyone thinks France will allow two Welsh players to have sessions in the sin bin without scoring a try each time…

Apart from the pride of winning in the Marseille Velodrome, I think most French people would gladly swap this sequence with England

To change the sport, I think there are very few football fans in Europe who would not swap their team’s performances with those of Liverpool over the past four years. (If I were a Liverpool supporter, I would have had a good evening, too). On that basis, do you think Mr Benitez should lose his job?

Rafael Benitez appears incapable of putting together a squad able to come within 20 points of winning the premiership.

On the other hand, even Jose Mourinho, to say nothing of Professor Wenger, would be proud of the record of Benitez in Europe: 2004, UEFA Cup winner at Valencia; 2005, Champions’ League winner at Liverpool; 2006, Champions’ League, out in first knock-out stage; 2007, Champions’ League finalist; and 2008, Champions’ League quarter-final at least.

My guess is we need a UK manager, and a Europe manager. There are problems with this, but the right bonus system for the two managers should make them work together (say a big payout to BOTH if either tropies is won). Or a decision has to made where the priority is.

Admittedly, most other Liverpool managers over the last twenty years haven’t got very much closer. I understand the frustration of Liverpool’s fans at not winning the league in that time when they saw it as almost their divine right to win it most years before that.

However, I just seem to be hearing the “Benitez is a crap manager because if you discount his performance in the Champions League, Liverpool have done hardly anything” line a lot lately. This almost strikes me as like saying that Carl Lewis was a disappointing athlete if you don’t count the nine Olympic gold medals. Liverpool fans have been to the Champions Leage final twice in three years (including winning the trophy once) and there could well be more such glory coming. Liverpool will win the league again some time. Chelsea’s glory will probably not outlast the Russian money. Manchester United may well get caught in the collapse of the credit bubble. Arsenal deserve huge respect for the way in which they run their house, but they don’t have quite the fanbase of Man U or Liverpool.

However, such a streak in Europe may never come again, and you should enjoy it while it lasts.

The problem with the “enjoy Europe don’t worry about the Premier League” approach can be summed up in two words.

Leeds United.

This was a club that operated on the financial assumption of playing Champions’ League football every season. In 2000, that assumption looked good. In 2002 it no longer looked as good. Recently, the club has been on the brink of bankrupcy several times and is about 40 places off qualifying for the Champions League. If Liverpool goes out in the quarter final then the Prem League position will be vital.

The failure to win the Premier League for Liverpool is down to two factors: not good enough performances against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the past 20 years, and the inability to string together a streak of say 30 undefeated matches with only about three draws. Losing to Reading last year with a bizarre formation and even more bizarre team tactics was the sort of lapse Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson do not appear to make as often.