Ben James
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benjames17.bsky.social
Ben James
@benjames17.bsky.social
Photoshop merchant and podcast man | Apathetic rugby writer
This one?
February 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Gareth Thomas targets an outside shoulder and makes a decent dent. But it's the numbers Wales have out wide that keeps the Irish defence passive.

Anyway, if you've enjoyed, you can read a full analysis on the difference Sherratt has made here: walesrugby.substack.com/p/so-this-is...
So this is Matt Sherratt's Wales...
Another Test defeat, but finally there was something to enjoy from Wales
walesrugby.substack.com
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
One final thing. For a while, it feels like we've constantly been told what Wales can't do in terms of attack. It's been a bit like getting gaslighted about improving performances.

But this carry from Henry Thomas shows that it's not always about size.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
All of these little details - late ball movement, getting Thomas in motion, back-three tracking across - combined for Tom Rogers try.

I've watched this so many times and it's yet to get old.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Few phases later, he holds his feet and gives a lovely late pass to Mee to go through a gap.

It's also lovely late footwork from Mee to switch from Prendergast's outside shoulder to his inside.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Wales got the best out of Ben Thomas at 12 after Gatland's insistence he was a Test fly-half.

Third-receiver in motion here. Ireland defence have to be passive as he's a genuine running/passing option.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Another thing Wales did so well is, once they made a dent on one edge, they moved the ball confidently to the other to stretch Ireland.

Having made the half-break on the right wing, watch Mee work back across to be involved on the other side.

Such a busy, assured debut.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Llewellyn, with Wales putting the ball in his hands, was very good on Saturday.

Strong carry here, but love the next bit.

Thomas to Anscombe out the back to target the edge. Rogers holds his width so Lowe blocks passing lane. Mee works across to take delayed pass into gap.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
It's amazing what picking players in their preferred positions can do.

But one of the keys for Sherratt is 'stealing numbers' - working harder than the opposition to create mismatches.

This chance comes from Llewellyn getting off the deck quickly, bypassing one Irish defender.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Starting with the attacking shape that Sherratt wanted in the middle of the pitch. It's not drastically different to what Wales were trying to do in Paris (and Rome to a lesser extent), but there's just much more confidence in the framework.

Every carrying option is genuine.
February 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
We get a lot of reviews about being miserable, but it’s hard when you’re recording podcasts hours after never-ending Wales defeats!
November 25, 2024 at 2:50 PM
I used to write happy pieces
November 18, 2024 at 10:44 AM