Rugby: Steadman states case for the defence as Ireland pay visit

Published on Tuesday 10 March 2009 08:41

SCOTLAND will be seeking to stop the opposition scoring a try in two consecutive matches for the first time since 2006 when Ireland visit Murrayfield in the Six Nations rugby Championship on Saturday.

Not since the back-to-back encounters with England and Ireland – some 30 matches ago – have consecutive shut-outs been achieved.

But defensive coach Graham Steadman can take heart from the fact that, last time out, Italy failed to cross the Scotland line for the first time ever in this country.

However, far from resting on his laurels, Steadman has emphasised the need for renewed vigilance.

He said: "There is scope for developing momentum in terms of defence and what it comes down to is the current squad trusting the systems that are in place.

"The players are now working very hard off the ball for one another and that certainly puts us in a strong position to win every match."

Steadman is looking to turn Murrayfield into a fortress and believes that the ability of players to adapt to different referees' interpretations of the laws has never been more vital.

"Understanding the referee's requirements is undoubtedly the biggest difference between when I worked in rugby league," said the former Great Britain full back and Castleford Super League coach.

"There is nothing similar in the other code to the way in which you have to get on the same wavelength with the ref."

"It's a massive change from rugby league to rugby union in that respect and, here, refs can have a significant impact if players don't adapt to their interpretations.

"We have to be more pro-active with what the referee wants."

Steadman reckons working out, then complying with, the calls of South African Jonathan Kaplan on the day the world's most experienced whistler handles his 50th Test, should be given priority in the squad's preparations .

"We have not been smart enough in this area so far," said Steadman.

Indeed the 38 penalties against the Scots so far compared to 20 awarded has also been highlighted as unacceptable by Steadman despite victory last time out. He said: "Nigel Owens, the referee against Italy, would tell our players to get their hands off the ball at the breakdown and not responding quickly enough was a definite no-no.

"It is up to the coaches to make the players aware of the challenges ahead of them and, of course, that is part of what the defensive structure should be. You have to talk with them about the opposition's main threats and what plays are liable to come off the back of, say, the set-pieces.

"It's a learning process and I know that against Wales (13-26) the Scottish players were over-loaded."

Holding his hand up in a manner that surely only brings credit, Steadman added: "I do feel strongly that, against Wales, I gave the players too much to think about. I had a sleepless night because all the homework and research into that opposition should have been prioritised down to five or six key points."

Once again Steadman is committed to getting defensive strategies spot-on while, as a former Ireland defensive coach, he can also bring inside knowledge which could thwart the visitors' Grand Slam aspirations.

"I know a lot about the individuals and their new defensive coach has similar principles to myself. This time they will travel with a great deal of confidence and we have to get in their faces.

"We can cause what at this stage would be a little bit of a surprise. What (new coach) Declan Kidney has brought is more of a calming influence and his set-up will be more player driven.

"Having worked with Eddie O'Sullivan for two and a half seasons he would rule on most aspects, whereas Declan will give the players more responsibility while retaining the final say. Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell and Rona O'Gara will certainly have a big influence."

Kidney steered Munster to the Heineken Cup last season and Steadman added: "Ireland do mirror the way Munster play, which is with a lot of patience and discipline while never panicking and that has put them in a strong position.

"The spectacle (with Munster) has not always been great but they get the job done playing keep-ball. Declan gave them that responsibility. That's the way the Ireland set-up will be with O'Driscoll hitting a rich vein of form. His confidence is the best I've seen for two seasons with the Lions tour helping him raise his performance. Stopping O'Driscoll is one key aspect but I rate wingers Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe.

"As for O'Gara he hasn't hit his straps yet and I like to think it won't be allowed to happen at Murrayfield."