Code Switch

One son could be of some interest, two sons might well be a coincidence, but three surely demands some explanation.

I refer to the naming by England Rugby Union  coach, Stuart Lancaster, of the sons of three former leading Rugby League players in his 35 man squad for the 2014 Six Nations competition – Saracens’ Owen Farrell, son of Andy, George Ford, son of Bath coach Mike, and Northampton’s Stephen Myler, son of former league halfback, John. Yes, three stand offs from 13 a side stock and all rightly selected according to the doyens of the rugby union media corps. The explanation then?

Apart from the fact that all three youngsters are top quality players blessed with somewhat differing attributes all three, having served an apprenticeship in either amateur or professional rugby league, have the ability to control a game and marshall a team around the pitch – a vital attribute for a league stand off and one which all three will have learned in their younger playing days in Wigan, Widnes, or Castleford. George Ford, in outstanding form for Bath this season did, I understand, when making his decision whether to further his career in League or Union, tell dad that the 15 a side code had “the greater international theatre” for a player. A moot point today when Rugby League, following on from the outstanding success of the 2013 RL World Cup, is quickly having to re-vamp its attitude to international competition.

Wigan Warriors are shortly set to fly to the Southern Hemisphere to challenge the NRL champions, the Sydney Roosters, for the World Club Challenge Trophy, a four nations tournament between Australia, New Zealand, England and a Pacific Island nation,  to be staged Down Under in 2014; while it is highly likely that the British RL Lions squad will be resurrected for a tour of Australia in 2015. Oh yes, and thanks to feverish work and development in Europe and elsewhere worldwide over three dozen nations are set to compete in international rugby league over the next twelve months.

Is it not possible that the organisational talents of all three “sons of League”, whether kicking or passing, suit the union code far better than the league variety where, thanks to there being only 13 men and especially just six forwards in the team, individual skills of sidestepping, swerve, and sheer pace from the likes of a Sean Long, a Danny Brough, or a Danny McGuire, are more of a necessity. Indeed since the arrival in Union on the pitch of 16 very fit, giant forwards, all blocking the midfield, where are the will o’the wisps of yesteryear like former stand offs David Watkins, Barry John, Jonathan Davies, John Horton, Bev Risman, and company. Very few in Britain today seem able to display such skills in international matches when confronted by a midfield organised by a rugby league defence coach.

Good luck to all three converts during this season’s Six Nations competition. They are Rugby Union’s gain and Rugby League’s loss. Could the requirements of the 15 a side code, rather than those of Rugby League, now suit their particular talents better?    

Ray French, Jan 2014