RUGBY ANALYST:Ireland's development will only continue if they encourage the culture of skill over power displayed in Bowe's first try, writes LIAM TOLAND

THERE’S BEEN an interesting reaction all week to Ireland’s win in Twickenham. I’ve received some guarded comments on Ireland’s performance; how good are they after their hard-fought victory over England? Or as one crazy Irish supporter, “Freddie”, two seats from me in Twickenham’s South Stand, best put it: “England dragged us down to their level”.

Indeed they did, but as bad as they appear England could nearly have won it.

They conceded three tries to one, had the lion’s share of possession and used it appallingly, but as the clock ticked towards 80 minutes England were far too close. Considering how poor they appear, is this cause for Irish concern?

First, Ireland deserve massive credit for bouncing back from Paris. Never before has an Irish team that lost just one match in 14 games been exposed to such scrutiny.

So why was it so close in the end? This is a legitimate question and must be addressed with the World Cup and All Blacks in mind.

The three tries Ireland scored were pure class, especially the first. Keith Earls’ try and Tommy Bowe’s second (and winner) were scored off first-phase play. This took precision, a great deal of video analysis and the ability of the players.

As pointed out before, precision is Ireland’s main weapon.

Ireland’s first try was so impressive because it came from inside their half, off turnover ball and in open play. It was off-the-cuff play, the so-called “eyes up” rugby.

Rarely in the Six Nations do we experience an unplanned attack, and especially from deep, that so ruthlessly combines ability with brilliant decision-making.

There were 13 full phases of English possession play before that famous turnover. It started from the English scrum, on one minute and 14 seconds, that made a paltry 15 metres. When David Wallace placed his hands on the ball at the base of the turnover ruck there was no hint of what was to come.

The openside passed it to Stephen Ferris, who popped to his backrow colleague Jamie Heaslip, and off he went.

What a sight to see the backrow in full flight, with no rules, heading forward and no sign of the analyst’s video. Heaslip’s contribution says everything about the Irish sportsman: full of natural talent and an ability to read the situation and finally make a decision.

This ability can punish any side in world rugby. However, Rory Best and Donncha O’Callaghan played significant roles in the try. Right when Heaslip was motoring into the English defence, Best and O’Callaghan read the situation, made their decision, ran decoy lines and fixed the English defence.

In a sense, Best provided Heaslip with the clear passage. Why doesn’t it happen more often?

During the week, while taking an underage training session, I stumbled across a possible cause for our difficulty beyond first-phase play.

I asked a tighthead prop how often he got on the ball during an average game. “Possibly twice,” was his answer, “for five seconds at a time.” Over the course of his underage career, thousands of hours were spent playing but only minutes were spent on the ball.

So how can we expect him to understand the value of space, its creation and exploitation, when he rarely touches the ball?

This prop, as a direct result, avoided any contact with the ball, outside the maul. In fact, he was quite nervous at the prospect. There was no way he was going to offer himself for a wide, flat pass from the scrumhalf. Or worse again, at full pace from the outhalf. He didn’t understand the value of doing something, unlike Rory Best, who knew the value of a decoy run.

The modern game dictates that specialist players must carry out their fundamental jobs. But beyond that so much more is expected of them.

Brian O’Driscoll will never have to scrummage so is not expected to. But Cian Healy is expected to carry out O’Driscoll’s role, albeit to a lesser degree. He will defend in the back line, carry the ball and provide support.

I wonder how much time is spent by front-five forwards practising these skills, especially after the 13th phase.

Our backrow can do it, but I believe the culture to allow the front five to comfortably handle the ball, run support lines and decoys is not there before arrival at international level.

The scrum continues to provide talking points, but Ireland’s development will only continue if they encourage the culture of skill over power which was displayed by the five Irish ball-carriers and the decoy runners resulting in Bowe’s try.

This must start in our schools and clubs, where players gain the understanding of working on and off the ball. Paul O’Connell understands it and his heart puts him about the pitch, smashing ball-carriers, dominating the middle of the lineout and offering to carry the ball.

Because of his hunger he gets into that first-receiver slot time and again. With his size and pace, could you imagine the damage he and his front-five colleagues would do if they timed their arrival for a gentle pop pass or decoy run from another forward?

Finally, the thoughts of another potential import into Irish rugby makes me sick. Would Riki Flutey be an addition to Munster’s cause, or would his arrival hamper or, worse, stop further development of indigenous players?

Unfortunately, provincial coaches are paid to win matches. I know it’s easy for me to say – but come on coaches, get Irish players playing for the provinces.

PS. Last weekend the Irish Legends entertained 12,000 people at The Stoop, hammered the English, generated £150,000 (€166,000) and won the Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup. But the highlight was without doubt watching Mick Galway flaking English Legends in his “white” Puma Kings, beautiful!