England women's head coach Simon Middleton has launched some thought provoking suggestions in regards to conversions in the women's game.
He argued that because of the physicality difference between the men's and women's games, that there should be concessions for the latter and conversions from the touchline made closer.
If a try is scored [within five metres of the touchline], the option should be there, maybe not to bring it into the 15-metre line, but maybe 10 metres from the touchline.
If you gave someone the option of kicking from the touchline or bringing it 10 metres in, I would hazard a guess that most kickers in the female game would bring it in.
Some did not kindly to what they felt were patronising comments, with Irish outhalf Nicole Cronin tweeting #Pissoff.
The Rugby World Cup Twitter account also responded in kind and shared a 110 second video of touchline conversions from the 2021 World Cup.
Although they did not mention or tag Middleton, the timing of the post said everything.
Rugby World Cup Page Hits Back At Middleton Comments
Just 110 seconds of kickers landing sideline conversions at #RWC2021 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Rui94QowZt
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) April 12, 2023
Changing the kicking rules for the women seems legit alright 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #Pissoff https://t.co/YgOTJqjsF2
— Nicole Cronin (@__Spud__Cronin) April 13, 2023
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"I think that could impact the game and change it positively. I think it is a bit of an unfair game for female kickers because so much about goal-kicking relies on power," added Middleton.
“Obviously timing and technique but Holly (Aitchison) struck the ball beautifully last week [against Italy] and dropped about five under the crossbar.
“You want to be rewarded for good skill and hard practice and I don’t think they get rewarded because of physical constraints that come with what we know is a natural discrepancy between male and female athletes.”
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