The X-factor, aside from being a mind-numbing, contrived TV ‘talent’ show, has become the term of choice to describe an elusive sporting quality – the ability to conjure feats out of the ordinary.
It is the phrase applied to those players who possess game-breaking potential. At once, it conjures an image of rare genius along with the knack of generating public excitement and hysteria. And it is what Stuart Lancaster believes England will have in abundance in Argentina.
For the summer tour conducted away from the full glare of attention, which will be on the Lions, the head coach has chosen a dashing, young squad to take on the Pumas. He and his assistants have been bold in their selections, by including uncapped free spirits Christian Wade, Jonny May and Marland Yarde, to work with the established likes of Ben Foden, Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees.
Flyers: Christian Wade (left) and Jonny May (right) are heading to ArgentinaLancaster said: ‘The stand-out in terms of excitement is the back three, the wingers in particular. All four (Wade, May, Yarde and David Strettle) have genuine pace and X-factor in terms of finishing.’
Asked if Wade was worthy of comparisons with Jason Robinson, he added: ‘Definitely. You can see it in the way in which he beats people. Every time he gets the ball there is a buzz of excitement around any ground that he’s in.’
It must be hoped that these ‘X-factor’ men play in the two Tests and ignite England’s back line. The national team scored just one try in their final four Six Nations games, and the inevitable sense was that defensive solidity was placed above attacking expression on the priority scale. It was apparent that some young pretenders were being held back over doubts about their contribution without the ball, instead of being promoted because of the havoc they can create in possession.
Uncapped: Kyle Eastmond (left) and Marland Yarde (right) will be given a chanceWade is the prime example. His pace and footwork make him all but impossible to stifle and contain. If he misses the odd tackle, he will surely elude far more. England must back him and other fliers with a few rough edges, and trust in their defensive system to cover any lapses. Tackling and positioning can be taught and honed, but flair and finishing instincts are often natural arts.
Rugby worldwide has become so structured and regimented, with space at a premium, that there is ever greater need for these ‘X-factor’ men who can break the chains.
Odd couple: Cockerill (above) will have to do without O'Connor next seasonThere’s an entrenched perception of Leicester; as a club full of yeomen who would rather fight the good fight than talk a good game. Director of rugby, Richard Cockerill, is thought to embody the Tigers’ grunt-and-graft philosophy.
Well, it’s time to dispel the myth. Cockerill is engaging company and does a nice line in dry humour. Take this week’s chat about the departure of his head coach, Matt O’Connor, to take charge at Leinster. Asked if the Australian leaves ‘a big hole to fill’, Cockerill said: ‘Well, you’ve seen the size of him…!’ Would he be passing on advice about being a front-man? ‘It’s his job to learn about it,’ he said. ‘He’s out of here now, so tough s**t!’
Both men are renowned for match-day volatility and Cockerill said: ‘It goes from yin to yang – he swears and I say, “Shush”, then I swear and he says, “Shush”!’ On the search for O’Connor’s replacement, he added: ‘The “fit” is key; we’re an odd bunch of humans in Leicester, so they have to be a rather odd human to fit in!’
The Scarlets are close to signing a giant No 8 who has made his name in the space of one week, with one giant fend, which left Jonny Wilkinson flat on his back.
While the former England fly half built a reputation as a formidable tackler over the years, he came off worse in his collision with Opeti Fonua during the Toulon-Agen match last weekend. When he tried to stop the hurtling Tongan, Wilkinson was smashed back so brutally that another opponent quickly stood over him in concern.
The iconic No 10 has since passed concussion tests, and footage of the incident has become an internet hit. The Scarlets’ rivals have been suitably fore-warned…
VIDEO: Watch Jonny Wilkinson get smashed by Opeti Fonua
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A week after the Lions warned their players about the dangers of using Twitter, they went to the trouble of providing a practical demonstration.
No sooner had tour manager, Andy Irvine, said: ‘One mistake or loose comment can be around the world in seconds,’ than the Lions were forced to apologise for posting a controversial tweet.
It featured a picture of a springbok impaled on railings, along with a reference to the win over South Africa in Johannesburg in 2009. That followed criticism of a pre-squad announcement tweet which asked if players awaiting the news were feeling ‘excited, nervous – suicidal’.
These blunders have been seized on with glee by the Australian media, but they now have a more pressing issue closer to home, as maverick Wallaby back Kurtley Beale has been suspended AGAIN.
Having agreed to stay off alcohol as a condition of his return from a recent ban, Beale went out drinking last weekend and missed a counselling session. His prospects of facing the Lions are now in serious doubt.
The last wordThe IRB have announced a global trial of a new scrum engagement sequence, in an attempt to resolve the set-piece mess which has become a blight on the game.
After ‘crouch, touch, pause, engage’ gave way to ‘crouch, touch, set’, we now have ‘crouch, bind, set’ on the horizon. At this rate, props will need to attend regular evening classes to keep up.
The principle appears sound enough – that they must take a grip before engaging, to reduce collision impact by 25 per cent, apparently. While the authorities rightly insist that player safety is the priority, it is also imperative that the scrum contest is preserved and re-sets are drastically reduced.
Referees will also be ordered to enforce straight ‘feeds’ by scrum halves, which they haven’t done for years. With so much to focus on at once, officials really do need eyes in the back – and sides – of their head.
More... Roberts to join Manic Street Preachers on stage during British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia Aussie bad boy Beale set to miss out on Lions tour after fly-half is suspended Robshaw's new fight for captaincy as Wood is handed the reins for Argentina tour O'Connor to take charge at Leinster as current boss Schmidt takes Ireland role
