The Future of the Barbarians

The Barbarians is a franchise which holds a special place in the rugby world. A favourite of fans across the globe they stand for something bigger than trophies. They embody the spirit of the game, and that connection to the enjoyment of the game is the reason thousands of fans will still turn up to "pointless" games that don't even count towards caps.

With all that being said the Barbarians are at a critical tipping point. With the rise of professionalism, and club owners demanding full use of their players, the historic franchise may need to rethink their place in the world. So what is the future of the black-and-white hoops, and how can they stay relevant?

The Barbarians went on an entertaining tour across three countries this autumn,
 but should they consider changing their attitude to accepting matches.

Offside Opinion: Residency Players

Pivac has wasted no time in making headlines with
his first training squad.

This week Wayne Pivac became the first new coach to announce a squad, post World Cup. In doing so he made a number of surprise selections, but he also made two that everyone expected. Bringing two former Kiwi's into the Welsh international set up, with Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo having completed the mandatory minimum three-year residency to play for a national team.

Now, let's be clear, I do understand the decision to pick two of the most naturally gifted attackers available to him. Wales were consistently maligned under Gatland for being predictable in attack, and dropping in the dancing feet of Halaholo to midfield, and the free-running of McNicholl to the back field will certainly have an impact on that issue. But I have fundamental issues with their selection, which certainly leaves an ashen taste in my mouth.

Key Reasons for South Africa's Victory

The dust has settled from South Africa's victory in the World Cup final, in doing so becoming the first team to win the Rugby Championship (or previous incarnation the Tri-Nations) and the World Cup in the same year. The game has been analysed from every avenue by professional and amateur pundits alike. So there is probably nothing left to say about it really. Which means it's the perfect time for this blog to get its views on the result on the web. Keep reading to find the three takeaways from the final.

In a World Cup Final victory is decided by small margins, like opening strategies, physical size, or tiny halfbacks.

RWC 2019: Team of the Tournament

What a World Cup it was, with twists and turns all the way through. It seems like years ago that we witnessed Uruguay overturn the Flying Fijians. The fanfare for the success of the Japan team still echos around the globe. And the glorious rampant victory for England over the All Blacks will live long in the memory. But in the end, it was the mighty Springboks who lifted the Webb Ellis trophy for the third time in their history. The sight of Siya Kolisi holding aloft the ultimate prize in rugby will stand through time, up there with Francios Pienaar's jubilant celebrations from 1995.

With the dust settled it's time to discuss the Team of the Tournament.

History was made in Japan this year, a tournament which will be remembered for many reasons.

Quick Tap: Wales 13 - 16 South Africa Takeaways

A day after England crusaded through the All Blacks, we witnessed a much tenser affair as Wales took on South Africa. The game was billed to be an arm wrestle between two similar teams, and so it proved from the outset. A game dominated by kicks (73 in all) and physical defence, where each team was looking to prey off the opponent's mistakes. In the end, it came down to a single two minute period of play, to just about put the Springboks into the final. So how did that come about, here are the takeaways from South Africa's victory.

South Africa claimed a hard earned victory, de Allende scored their only try of the game in a
wonderful solo effort.

Quick Tap: England 19-7 New Zealand Takeaways

I honestly didn't see this result coming. I had an inkling that England might pull off something, but I didn't expect it to be that convincing. As, arguably, the two best teams in the tournament met in the semi-finals it was always going to be a monumental game. Right from the start you could tell England were up for this, from the anthem, to the response to the Haka (which if England get fined for is a total travesty), and into the opening moments of the game. England are known for fast starts, this was another level, and they never let up till the final whistle. But what were the takeaways from the game, where was it won and lost?

England set the tone early, with their response to the All Black's Haka. It will be remembered along with
the victory for a long time.

Wales v South Africa Preview

Semi-finals are tough, knowing that if you win you've got a chance for glory, lose and you're playing in a game which is pointless and painful. We've covered New Zealand v England (read that here), now it's time for the other side of the draw. Wales and South Africa meet in the knockout stages for the second consecutive World Cup. Last time South Africa stole victory against an injured ravaged Welsh side with a last-minute try. Wales have not lost to the Springboks since that fateful day at Twickenham, with four consecutive victories against various forms of the green shirted giants. But friendly games in November don't matter for much when it comes to the added pressure of knockout rugby, so what are the talking points before Sunday's do or die game?

Du Preez's late try in the corner knocked Wales out last time these two met in a World Cup.

England v New Zealand Preview

It's semi-final time, and the final four can sleep knowing they will make it to the last weekend in Japan. Doesn't mean they will be able to sleep as the pressure mounts further, 80 minutes away from the glory of a World Cup final can keep a man up at night. First up, on Saturday, is the current champions versus the home of the sport. Neither team had fully demonstrated their ability in the groups, but both utterly blew away their opponents in the quarters. This game promises to be full of blood, thunder, and no smaller amount of skill too. So what are the key points to consider ahead of kick-off?

Last time the two met England were robbed of the victory but a contenious offside decision. A moment
like that could swing the semi-final too.

The State of Play

Japan has been eventful, hasn't it? The pool stages were extraordinary, filled with dozens of memorable moments, a couple of amazing victories, and its fair share of controversy. For me personally, this has been the best World Cup I've watched in my lifetime, from the attitude of the host nation to the moments of ridiculous skill, to the performances of the likes of Uruguay, Japan, and the Tongans.

It's been a historic World Cup from every angle, from the hosts to the number of red cards, to the weather, and much more besides. To that end, it seems highly appropriate that all four of the quarter-final match-ups have plenty of history to go with them. England and Australia is a feud as old as time; New Zealand v Ireland is a more modern titanic rivalry; Wales want revenge after the events of 2011; lastly, Japan and South Africa engage in a rematch of the "Brighton Miracle".

So who's going in on a roll, who's under prepared, and crucially who's going to make the semis?

There's plenty of history in the quarter-finals, an opportunity for teams to lay deamons to rest,
or for others to make fresh memories of victory.

Quick Tap: Uruguay, High Tackles, and Fitness

The World Cup is well and truely underway, many results have gone exactly as you'd expect, we've had a couple of thrillers, and another which will go down in history. Here are my three main talking points so far from the events in Japan.

Week One in Japan will live long in the memory for many people.

RWC Pool D: Toughest of the lot

And we finally reach the best pool of the lot (not biased I swear), with just over a week to go till it all kicks off. This has the look of a traditional Rugby World Cup pool. There are two front runners who will be pushing each other for top seed, along with a couple of Tier Two sides who will have eyes on causing a significant upset, and then finally a minnow to make up the numbers. A number of games could go any which way in this pool, but who will come out on top?

Wales and Australia have gone toe-to-toe for years, Wales finally got a win last November.

RWC Pool C: More banana skins than Mario Kart

We're at the halfway stage of the World Cup Pool reviews, time for number three. When the pools were drawn, many said this looked like the "Pool of Death". However come 2019 the top slot looks like a foregone conclusion, while France and Argentina will be slogging it out to reach the quarter-finals. Not to mention two Pacific Nations Cup sides who are looking to make a statement this year.

Four years ago England crashed out after losing against two Tier One nations in the groups.
Could it happen again, or will they rise to the challenge of Japan?

RWC Pool B: Decided in Game One

In the second of our summaries of the World Cup groups, we see the current champions faced with a hard fight to top their pool. This group will more than likely be decided in Game One of the pool, on Day Two of the Championship, when New Zealand and South Africa face off in Yokohama. Elsewhere Italy look most likely to gain automatic qualification for 2023, while Canada and Namibia will duke it out to avoid the dishonour of last place. So what are the key points for each team ahead of Japan?

Four years ago New Zealand completed the first-ever back-to-back championship.
They're under more pressure than ever this time around.

RWC Pool A: This could go anywhere

The World Cup is just around the corner, which means it's time to review the Pools. First up we've got Pool A, containing two age-old 6 Nations rivals, the home nation, and one of the most physical teams in the tournament. With recent results, this pool looks closer than ever between the main four. We could see some complicated pool stage mathematics being pulled out to figure out who qualifies.

Japan made history four years ago, now they are the host nation, can they go further, and reach the quarter finals?

Quick Tap: Wales are Top of the Pile

The world ranking system barely makes sense, no one really likes it, and ultimately it doesn't matter. And yet, right now, the Welsh public don't care. They don't care that it came by avoiding New Zealand for nearly two years, they don't care it came by squeaking home against England (although beating the old rival to go top does bring an extra level of satisfaction), and they really don't care that the Kiwi media are insulting them and calling their place at the top "laughable".

The fact of the matter is, this is yet another moment to add to the long list of accolades achieved by Gatland in his decade long tenure as Welsh coach. Drop all the question's over "Do Wales deserve to be number 1", and the critique of the system, and appreciate the work Gatland has put into to Welsh rugby.

North scored the try which put Wales top of the world, meanwhile, Ken Owens turns into the Messiah.

Offside Opinion: All Blacks won't make the Semi's

Time for another knee-jerk reaction, I guess, following on from the last Offside Opinion, where I stated Wales would be capable of beating the All Blacks (that aged well didn't it...), now I propose that the events in Cardiff 2007 will repeat themselves and the Kiwi's won't make it past the Quarter Finals of the World Cup.

The All Black's air of invulnerability is well and truly gone by now, it's probably the worst build-up to a World
Cup for New Zealand ever.

Quick Tap: Wales' Back Row Woes

Four years ago, Wales went through an injury crisis rarely seen in international rugby. Watching backline players litter the hospital ward was painful, despite the unbelievable run to the quarter-finals. Well with another World Cup on the horizon, it's happening all over again. Although this time a bit earlier, and in the back row, rather than the back-three.

The Welsh back row was a real strength in the Six Nations, but will they make it to the World Cup in one piece?

It wasn't too long ago, a couple of months to be honest, that the Welsh media were debating which stellar players would be left behind in the back row. With only room for - probably - five players, and Gatland stating he would plan to take the main four from the Six Nations with him to Japan. That left a single place on the plan, most likely to be snapped up by the world-class, test Lion, Taulupe Faletau. Leaving the likes of James Davies, Aaron Shingler, Ellis Jenkins, and more behind in the rainy valleys of home.

Faletau in the hospital again, not the best
image for a world-class player

Well within one week that's all changed. Faletau suffered his third injury of the year, ruling him out of the tournament. The news wasn't better when it came to Ellis Jenkins who is continuing his battle with recovery after his nightmare injury in the Autumn, and struggling to progress at the speed the coaches had hoped. James Davies and Josh Navidi, both, are recovering from injuries of their own and yet to train fully. The previously deep well of the back row has been cracked by an injury earthquake of unreal scale.

It is likely that Gatland will look to call up a replacement to Faletau before too long, with Thomas Young a strong contender. Thanks to his versatility since he is another who can - if required - cover the No. 8 hole left by Faletau. More than anything, Gatland will be desperate that Ross Moriarty remains injury-free through the next couple of months. As the only true No. 8 left in Wales he has become more important to the national side than many thought he would four years ago, and without him, the Welsh back row looks a little small compared to the Georgians and Fijians they'll be facing come Japan.

It's not the best start to Wales' World Cup preparations, but they have overcome these problems before, and will not panic any time soon, but the coaching staff, pundits, journalists, and fans will all be crossing their fingers no more injuries creep out of the woodwork.

Offside Opinions: Wales can beat New Zealand

As it stands New Zealand and Wales are the top two teams in the world, and for two weeks running New Zealand have had to defend their #1 ranking, a loss against either Argentina or South Africa would have seen them drop below the Welsh. This poses an interesting question, could Warren Gatland and the men in red, Hansen and the All Blacks, were they to meet next weekend?

Jantjies' last-minute try put the world on notice, that the All Blacks really do appear vulnerable.

Fight for Position: Review

The Six Nations might be over, but the analysis isn't, yet, in fact, it's going to be referenced all the way till September. Before the tournament began, I wrote an article focusing on the position each team had to resolve ahead of the World Cup - ideally by the end of the Six Nations. So it's time to review how each team did. Did they find the man to fill the jersey for Japan, or are they still searching?

Alun Wyn Jones won Player of the Tournament, but who stepped up to stake a claim for the World Cup?

Quick Tap: Six Nations Round 5 Round Up

Super Saturday never fails to disappoint, does it? It started with Italy somehow losing against France in a game filled with endless basic errors, before heading to Cardiff for the Grand Slam decider. Wales strolled to the title, keeping an out of sorts Ireland from ever looking comfortable. Then it ended with the most ridiculous game of the season, Scotland almost yanking victory for the jaws of defeat, only to have England find the necessary score to draw. It was an unbelievable day of rugby, which some memorable headlines, but what other notes were there from the matches?

Wales claimed their fourth Six Nations Grand Slam, Warren Gatland's third, setting a new record.

Quick Tap: Six Nations Week 4 Round Up

Week four set up a very exciting final round on Super Saturday, with the tournament wide open, with three teams able to win the trophy still. Wales survived a Scotland revival with stubborn grit; England routed Italy in typical fashion; finally, Ireland found their blueprint again to walk over a lackluster French outfit. Read on to see my points from each game.

Alun Wyn Jones wasn't the most cheerful after beating Scotland, he knows the big one is yet to come.

The Welsh Regional Debate

The landscape of Welsh rugby is in turmoil right now. While the national team are on a winning streak never before seen in the Land of St. David the regional structure is cracking at the foundations. The WRU are in the process of finalising a new agreement with the regions, focused on handling the finances of the game above all. This has led to a lot of debate on social media and in newspapers in the last week. Now I'm putting forth my thoughts.

I will put forward a small disclaimer. I do not know the details for the money being discussed, and even if I did I probably wouldn't understand what they mean. What is here is my thoughts on the regions, and the WRU's plans to change the look of professional club rugby in Wales.

The regions could be about to undergo the biggest shift in their history, as the WRU looks to build a long term plan.

Quick Tap: Six Nations Week 3 Round Up

The middle week of the Six Nations served up the game of the tournament so far, serving up a middle finger to World Rugby wanting to dispose of the championship. Either side of the monumental clash in Cardiff, France piled on to Scotland's woes, and Ireland did the minimum required in Rome. Read on to find my less obvious takeaways from each game, in this week's Quick Tap.

When Adams crossed the line Cardiff went crazy, and the 2019 Tournament was blown wide open.

England's Three Thorns

What a difference a year makes, after slumping to their worst ever finish in the Six Nations in 2018, England are back to their rip-roaring best, full of swagger, and dominant at the top of the table heading into Round 3. The revival has come about by rediscpvering what made them great under Eddie Jones when he first took over and then turning it up another notch. So what exactly is England's game plan, and what is making it so hard to stop at the moment?

England a roaring once again, lead by a beautiful centre combination in Tuilagi and Slade.

Quick Tap: 6 Nations Week 2 Round Up

Ireland regained some semblance of form, Wales made hard work of it in Rome, and the England juggernaut steamrolled into a second weekend. But away from the results what were the main takeaways from the games last weekend?

Farrell is captain of a behemoth right now, as England rampaged through the headless French roosters.

World Rugby's Bonkers Proposal

The biggest news in the background of rugby right now is whether World Rugby will get their new proposal for the annual structure of international rugby past the major Unions and league stakeholders. The proposal stands to join together the 6 Nations and the Rugby Championship in a single league, adding Japan & Fiji, which will play through the year. All ending in knockout games in November. Put simply the concept is idiotic, and could ruin rugby, read on to find my views as to why.

Bill Beaumont (L) and Agustin Pichot (R) are leading the debate for changing the international game.
Usually I agree with their policies, but this is one I am deeply against.

Quick Tap: 6 Nations Week 1 Round Up

Time for another Quick Tap article. The 6 Nations started this weekend, so here's my chief take away from each game on a weekend that saw Wales come from behind in Paris; Scotland get their expected bonus point against Italy, and finally England romp to victory in Dublin.

England put in the performance of the weekend, but what were the takeaways from the first round?

6 Nations: Fight for Positions

The Six Nations is always important, but in a World Cup year it takes on a new level of significance. The head coaches have to weigh up the desire to win games and gain momentum for Japan, as well as fine-tuning any elements that require it and giving form players opportunity to stake a claim for September. By now most national teams should know their first choice team and simply be tweaking the game plan a little. However that is never the case, and below I discuss the primary position each Six Nations team needs to sort out before the end of March.

There's a lot riding on this tournament for the head coaches, the will to win, but also to prepare for the World Cup.

Quick Tap: 2019 6 Nations Fantasy League

February is almost here, and we all know what that means. Yep, it's time for the annual TacklePad 6 Nations Fantasy League on ESPN! Enter using the code below:

1300446-118723

One of these men will lift the trophy at the end of March, but who will come out on top of the TacklePad League?

Restructuring Europe

It's a near constant discussion in the newspapers, on the TV, and down the pub. Does the European system really work? Just recently we've had a few big names from the English Premiership saying that the current system is unfairly skewed to the Irish sides when it comes to winning Europe. In addition, the endless debate about player welfare brings the number of games players play into scrutiny.

With all that in mind, I'm putting forth my proposal for a brand new European system, read on below.

The Champions Cup still draws criticism for how unfair it is to certain nations. Maybe we should just get rid of it.

Scrums Scrums Scrums

Last week I mentioned how people shouldn't be "trying to fix the game". So this week I'm going to be a hypocrite and talk about how I would fix the game. Although crucially I'm going to do so by not fundamentally throwing the sport itself under the bus, instead I'm going to discuss how I think the decade long problem with scrums can be sorted out, by not changing any laws at all.

Everyone loves a good scrum right? Totally not boring spectacles that 90% of the time end in a penalty.

Stop trying to "fix the game"!

It seems not a week goes by that some rugby newspaper writer pens a column or article about how to "fix" rugby, and to get rid of some modern blight on the game. Recently the big issue has been head injuries and concussion. A valid problem with the game - all contact sports really - that needs to be dealt with in the proper way. However, some of the ideas being generated are just utterly unfathomable, fixing made up issues, instead of the fundamental issues.

Concussions and head injuries do remain a significant threat to players, despite World Rugby's efforts.