The former Ulster and Leinster coach Matt Williams was on Virgin Media over the weekend and isn’t happy with the 7/1 and 6/2 split of having way too many forwards on the bench ..
MORE HERE: 🚨Scottish supporters aren’t happy as an exchange between Finn Russell & Pierre Brousset comes to light ..
It’s not the coaches’ fault, it’s become a thing that’s incredibly discriminating against backline players, people of all physiques can play our game. It’s not just International level, it’s going down to other levels of the games and the numbers are extraordinary.
That is not what our game is about. It is not the coaches’ fault. I understand the tactics and I agree with the tactics but World Rugby have to act on this. It’s dangerous in so many ways, it’s dangerous about concussions, it’s dangerous with our scrums at the lower levels of our game and it’s not bringing in the ethos of our game, it’s going against what we want. We are going for brutality at scrummaging.
A 7/1 split on the French bench today. 6/2 for Italy.
Matt Williams reiterates his feelings on forward-heavy benches:
▪️ No blame on coaches
▪️ Brutality over finesse
▪️ Calls for World Rugby to step in
▪️ The dangers at amateur & schools level#ITAvFRA | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/ncEobQE0Fc— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 23, 2025
💣 LE SQUAD DU BOMB!pic.twitter.com/IAOZqWB1qR
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 23, 2025
And yet, after three years of Williams wringing his hands, and crying into his pillow, there exists no data, scenarios or anecdotes to support his arrogant, misguided claims. Why don’t the other presenters grow a spine and challenge his spewing of falsehoods.
Show us a bench where there’s no replacement props? If your big concern is “spinal cord injuries”each team has replacement props why not bring them on? Will having 2 more backs on the bench ensure that there’s less props on the bench so props can fatigue & injure themselves!🤡s
Wales had a 5×3 split too