It may not be the most talked about facet of rugby’s intricate systems, but the beefy front row forwards are so often the key to victory. As Ireland rolled to an eleventh 5 or 6 Nations title, it was the power props of Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong who lay the ground work.
A game with a scrappy first half followed by another up and down second demanded heroes, or big characters. Someone to grab the game by the collar and drag Ireland to the title. These Leinster men did just that.
Inroads were made
There have been fair and obvious critiques of Ireland’s set piece in recent times, and they are justified concerns. Andrew Porter has been a bit of a victim of referee interpretations, even if he paints a dodgy picture.
Tadhg Furlong might not be getting a whack of the same stick, but he’s not been spared from criticism either. Once a bulldozing, hot-stepping, destructive ball carrier, Furlong has had to adapt because of age and injury, and listen to what his body says.
In order to add longevity, he had to evolve.
That said, when Ireland needed them most, they delivered in a big way. Porter will get the plaudits for the game- sealing try, but he was everywhere for the 80 minutes. His scrummaging was always going to be tested by Glasgow’s Zander Fagerson, but as the Scot wilted, the Dub rose.
All of a sudden Porter was the dominant force he so often can be, and alongside the Sheehan-Kelleher duo and Furlong, the scrum started making inroads, and finished a perfect 7 from 7.
Ireland’s scrum (and set piece in general) is far from the perfect platform, but it has its moments of sheer class.
If you give Porter an inch, which Gilchrist slipping helps with, there’s no better loosehead in the world.
When he wins that first contact, it’s game over https://t.co/VSVXR1hWxf— CaolanSRugby (@CaolanSRugby) March 17, 2024
The last name of that quartet was not to be outfought either. His carrying had the oomph it desires, and he was his typical immaculate self at the breakdown. After a difficult few months for Furlong, he rounded off the match lifting the trophy alongside O’Mahony, and the not-so-dry-eyes in the house got watery once more.
Although the focus is on the front row, it’s a shared admiration for the effort across the tournament. Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher proved they are Ireland’s finest 1-2 punch from the hooker position. Tadhg Beirne is hard to miss in the blue scrum cap, while Ireland’s happiest man Josh van der Flier stands out too. Player of the Match Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley look like a match made in heaven, as do Bundee and Robbie; while Calvin Nash went from Munster rotation option to Six Nations champion in 18 months, and that’s impressive.
I could go on and on, from Cian Healy to Caelan Doris, Hugo Keenan to Joe McCarthy. But I will draw the line with the man of the hour. Peter O’Mahony. After an injury derailed season and patchy form, the rumour mill almost wished the retirement chatter was coming true. But then Peter did what he’s known to do. He rolled back the years in a big way in the lineout, breakdown and with his tackling. This might be his last hurrah, and it might not. Either way he is a legend who would be missed.
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