Ireland were all-singing and all-dancing in Rome on Saturday, running in nine tries as they earned the first try bonus point in Six Nations history.
After the chastening defeat to Scotland, Joe Schmidt’s men started like a bat out of hell – winning the important collisions and effectively owning the ball.
While the paucity of Italy’s efforts must also be considered a contributing factor, Kevin McLaughlin identified a pre-match conversation that would likely have had a big influence on how the game was officiated.
“In having more space in attack, I think it helped that the referee actually refereed the offside line. For the first time in about six months we had a game where the referee consistently watched the Italian line,” the former Ireland and Leinster flanker explained on this week’s ‘Hard Yards’ podcast.
McLaughlin believes Schmidt, in his pre-match conversation with Kiwi referee Glen Jackson, would have made the case for a stricter interpretation of the offside rule.
Jackson played under Schmidt with Bay of Plenty when they won the Ranfurly Shield in 2004, which may have seen his words carry more weight than normal.
“I would guess that was something to do with a conversation Joe had in the changing room before with Glen Jackson, who Joe actually knows. I would imagine he got a word in his ear and said, ‘watch these guys’.”
McLaughlin went on to emphasise the importance of that extra yard to the Irish attack.
“Having been smothered by Scotland a week before, having that extra yard or two gives you more time – even if it is just half a yard – to adjust your run, put footwork on and adjust the angle a little bit. That allows the half yard of space to get the offload away. I think that really helped Ireland’s attack a lot.”
Here is hoping for more of the same when France come to Dublin on Saturday week.
Hear McLaughlin, Donncha O’Callaghan, Pat McCarry and Andy McGeady analyse the weekend’s Six Nations action below. Or subscribe on iTunes.
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