#360rugby: RFU appointment shrewd, Racing send Sarries warning

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  • Rhys Webb, Racing 92 and Nigel Melville feature in this week's #360rugby.

    Sport360 takes a look back at the lessons learned from a busy week of rugby action including Nigel Melville’s return to the RFU, a Welsh rugby derby to remember and the UAE’s back problems.

    What are your thoughts? Tweet us using #360rugby to join the debate.

    MELVILLE APPOINTMENT ANOTHER SHREWD MOVE FROM RFU

    This week it was announced that Rob Andrew would be replaced as the RFU’s director of professional rugby by former Gloucester DOR Nigel Melville.

    The decision to bring Melville back to England will be especially well received by a majority of England fans that felt Andrew was guilty of not shouldering his fair share of the blame for two disastrous England coaching appointments in Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster.

    But while it would be easy to stick the proverbial boot into Andrew, fans should instead focus on celebrating Melville’s appointment on its own very high merit, instead of the shortcomings of the previous regime.

    The former England scrum-half has been the CEO of USA Rugby since 2006 where he has developed a sharp business mind. Proof of this lies within the fact that under his tenure rugby has become the fastest growing team sport in the United States, San Francisco won the right to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens and last month a domestic professional league was launched. Pretty impressive stuff.

    With Eddie Jones taking care of all on field matters and Melville guiding the overall structure of English rugby from above, England may have just found a match made in heaven.

    ‘JUDGEMENT DAY’ IN WALES A GREAT SUCCESS

    Yes, the marketing name was a touch corny, but the two thrilling Welsh derbies, roared on by a crowd of 68,000 at the Principality Stadium were first class.

    The Cardiff Blues versus Ospreys game was a master class in attacking rugby from both sides and the Ospreys’ 40-27 win means they still have an outside chance of qualifying for the European Champions Cup.

    Rhys Webb was outstanding at scrum-half and his successful return from injury will provide a huge boost to the Welsh management ahead of what will be a tough summer tour of New Zealand.

    Unfortunately it was not such good news for Sam Warburton, who was an effective presence in the loose until injury forced him from the field. Losing their skipper (in addition to reserve openside Justin Tipuric) would be a hammer blow for the Welsh.

    The battle between Welsh fly-halves Dan Biggar versus Gareth Anscombe fully justified its pre-match hype and despite Dan Biggar dominating the opening exchanges with some sublime game management (and a superb take in the air ahead of Anscombe) and finishing on the winning side, the Auckland-born player’s tally of 17 points will not have gone unnoticed by Warren Gatland.

    RACING WIN A WARNING MESSAGE FOR SARACENS

    Saracens have been the best team in Europe this season but if current form dictates which side of the channel the European Rugby Champions Cup goes this season, it will be another barren year for the English.

    While the Fez Heads struggled to an unconvincing win over relegation-threatened Newcastle Falcons (after fighting back from a 14-3 half-time deficit), Parisian side Racing 92 powered their way to an impressive 26-20 victory over Clermont.

    Maxime Machenaud continued his rich vein of form with the boot, racking up 21 points while stand-in fly-half Remi Tales demonstrated that the team can function just fine without the great Dan Carter.

    The lull in Saracens’ performance may have been caused by a three-day bonding trip to Dubrovnik but with the prospect of a domestic and European cup final to contend, the break may have been a necessary evil to keep players fresh for the coming weeks.

    It is likely that Mark McCall will rest several key players against Worcester in the Premiership on Saturday ahead of a mouth-watering European final on 14th of May that is set to be the most brutal in years.

    UAE FACING BACKLINE PROBLEMS AHEAD OF UZBEK TEST

    Following a 48-29 friendly defeat to the UAE Premiership Barbarians on Wednesday, it would appear that the national side has plenty of work to do ahead of the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) series taking place in Uzbekistan later this month.

    Rugby director Apollo Perelini admitted a few players stood out for him during a frenetic game, in which the Baa Baas only pulled away with three tries inside the final five minutes.

    “I think our boys were a bit under pressure. They think they’ve got to impress the coach and the structure went out the window,” he said. “Sometimes there’s a fear. For our boys there’s a lot of pressure to get on this team. When that happens it’s more about looking after yourself.

    Jebel Ali full-back Ryno Fourie will provide a much-needed experienced head  out wide but any injuries to Perelini’s front line starts will likely force him to play players out of their favoured positions.

    The four teams in Division II will meet in semi-final encounters on May 18, with the UAE to play hosts Uzbekistan. Thailand will play Guam. The winners will meet in May 21’s final.

    EXTRA TIME

    Talk about a statement of intent! Ulster’s Paddy Jackson has his say on the Ireland fly-half debate by outplaying the best 10 in Ireland for 80 minutes (Johnny Sexton) and smashing his back-up (Ian Madigan) for good measure.

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