Williams asks the world rugby to intervene in the tactics used by France

One thing you can say about rugby in its recent history is that it has become much more physical. While there are fewer fights and violence that may have been in the past, with a better strength and conditioning that the player shaves becomes bigger and stronger.

With the physical cost of the players, especially the strikers, more and more coaches have sought to make the most of their package. The chief coach of South Africa, Rassie Erasmus, pioneered 6 strikers and only 2 backs in the bank and was the first to get as far as appointing 7 when he did it at the head to the second victory of the Springboks World Cup in 2023.

Division 6-2 has become the standard now, with all but Ireland by naming a minimum of 6 strikers in the bank in the 4 of the six nations. However, France was a step further for its hammering against Italy by naming 7 with only Maxime Lucu covering the bottom line on the bank. During the weekend, there were actually 84 total strikers named in the squads of the day, while only 47 back with only 12 of those 47 are substitutes.

Recommended

It is an interesting topic of conversation about the way rugby is in a trend and is something that Matt Williams feels that he must be taken out of the sport. Speaking in Virgin Media in the period prior to the 73-24 sprig of Italy in France in Rome, the former chief coach of Leinster, Ulster and Scotland believes that this will begin to resort to the lowest levels of the game.

It is not the fault of the coaches, it has become a thing that is incredibly discriminated against the underlying players, the people of all physicists can play our game. It is not only the international level, it is reduced to other levels of games and numbers are extraordinary.

The Australian also asked World Rugby to intervene how to bring later, especially at the lowest levels, it could offer many more risks to the health of the players.

That is not our game. It is not the fault of the coaches. I understand the tactics and I agree with the tactics, but the world rugby has to act on this. It is dangerous in many ways, it is dangerous about brain shocks, it is dangerous with our scrums at the lowest levels of our game and is not bringing the spirit of our game, it goes against what we want. We go for the brutality in Scrummaging.

A 7/1 division in the French bank today. 6/2 for Italy.

Matt Williams reiterates his feelings in advance banks:

To not blame the coaches
Minte brutality over delicacy
into asks the world rugby to intervene
Mine the dangers at the level of fans and schools#Itavfra | #Guinnessm6n pic.twitter.com/nceobqe0fc

– Virgin Media Sport (@vmsportie) February 23, 2025

Then, speaking after the game, Ian Madigan said that Ireland should look for this to arrive in Dublin in fifteen days.

I think they will. I think what we saw today is a plan on how they think they could overcome the Irish team. The power we saw in the French program was incredible and that is how they created space abroad. Those two or three pass each phase and the speed they have outside will be a large area of concern for Ireland.

Will France go with a 7/1 bank in Dublin?

Should Ireland go 6/2 to fight it?

Ian Madigan and Matt Williams argue after that French exhibition in Rome. #Itavfra | #Guinnessm6n pic.twitter.com/gjoyiz0knb

– Virgin Media Sport (@vmsportie) February 23, 2025

France seems to have shaken the cobwebs they had on Twickenham in that annoying defeat and are running heading to the Ireland party in fifteen days. It offers the potential to be another classic between Ireland and Les Bleus.