A new second row dynamic

I think nearly everyone is familiar with the traditional second row combination of "The Enforcer" and "The Lineout Specialist". However I feel in modern times certainly over the past 2-3 years we have seen the enforcer replaced with a new modern, dynamic and mobile second row unit.

I first noticed this with Andies Bekker's performances for the Stormers and it was massively effective until injury curtailed him. In the northern hemisphere we have pushed on and some of the top second rows in the world are now young, dynamic beanpoles. Richie Gray who offers good handling and mobility, Courtney Lawes who offers not just big hits but also is conscious enough of those around him (see Ashtons wonder try against Australia), Yoann Maestri who has seen a massive change from an enforcer with Toulon to a modern carrying and try scoring second row with Toulouse. For Ireland yesterday we saw Donnacha Ryan claim man of the match against Scotland in a massive contrast to the style of usual #5 Paul O'Connell and there is much acclaim for up and coming locks Dan Tuohy and Devin Toner with their handling skills winning a lot of acclaim, the latters performance against Bath in the Heineken Cup cited as an example of the modern second row.

Are we seeing the "enforcer" diminished and replacing with a new more rounded skill set for modern second rows?

Ian Evans, you forgot him and Charteris.

Exactly Glas, even more of them.

Good article. I suppose it's similar to modern day props - they aren't just big fat boys who can only scrummage like they used to be, they've become mobile and dynamic too and some can even pass.

When you're 6ft9 and 20 stone or whatever Richie Gray is, you'd hope he could fulfill the traditional Enforcer role as well as the ball carrying, dynamic 2nd row that you've alluded to.

I think the change has happened because the game has moved on. We're seeing just now that the stodgy teams that try to grind out results are being left behind a bit and you've got to add a lot more dynamism to your game. Definitely think it's a good thing.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Good article. I suppose it's similar to modern day props - they aren't just big fat boys who can only scrummage like they used to be, they've become mobile and dynamic too and some can even pass.

When you're 6ft9 and 20 stone or whatever Richie Gray is, you'd hope he could fulfill the traditional Enforcer role as well as the ball carrying, dynamic 2nd row that you've alluded to.

I think the change has happened because the game has moved on. We're seeing just now that the stodgy teams that try to grind out results are being left behind a bit and you've got to add a lot more dynamism to your game. Definitely think it's a good thing.

Shouldn't talk about Munster like that RDW .....

RDW_Scotland wrote: We're seeing just now that the stodgy teams that try to grind out results are being left behind

Not on the scoreboard. We've seen Ireland mostly play a version of stodge (perhaps until that last game against Scotland) and still have a hefty number of points and tries to go with it. Grind and Grace will be needed in equal amounts for the forseeable future. Getting the balance right will be the key, and I suppose second row is as good an area to look for balance as the next.

Tom Palmer is pushing strong as a 4.5 if you will.

4.5



FFS!

Good article. Yes, a locks role and his required abilities, is changing along with the game itself. As it is with more dymanic, ball-playing, ball-carrying - hookers, coming to the fore. All players - including locks, should be able to actually play rugby. Nathan Hines is a prime example of this shift. When he was Leinsters main Enforcer initially, he couldnt offload for toffee. By the time Schmidt and Jonno Gibbes finished with him - he was brilliant at it. And he still could hold 3 Ulster players from moving - in one fell swoop...

Tighthead and Loosehead Locks? The two should never be mutally exclusive now. That gap is tightening. Donnacha Ryan proved that so well. Its why DOC's playing days are near over. Too limited.

Gibson wrote:Good article. Yes, a locks role and his required abilities, is changing along with the game itself. As it is with more dymanic, ball-playing, ball-carrying - hookers, coming to the fore. All players - including locks, should be able to actually play rugby. Nathan Hines is a prime example of this shift. When he was Leinsters main Enforcer initially, he couldnt offload for toffee. By the time Schmidt and Jonno Gibbes finished with him - he was brilliant at it. And he still could hold 3 Ulster players from moving - in one fell swoop...

Tighthead and Loosehead Locks? The two should never be mutally exclusive now. That gap is tightening. Donnacha Ryan proved that so well. Its why DOC's playing days are near over. Too limited.

Two players! He's not that feicin' good.

I still think you need a heavier SR behind the tight head and can get away with a more mobile SR behind the LH and Hooker as has always been.

Maybe their roles are becoming more blurred...certainly Gray is a wonderful player who can do petty much all that could be asked of a Second Row.

Rava wrote:

Gibson wrote:Good article. Yes, a locks role and his required abilities, is changing along with the game itself. As it is with more dymanic, ball-playing, ball-carrying - hookers, coming to the fore. All players - including locks, should be able to actually play rugby. Nathan Hines is a prime example of this shift. When he was Leinsters main Enforcer initially, he couldnt offload for toffee. By the time Schmidt and Jonno Gibbes finished with him - he was brilliant at it. And he still could hold 3 Ulster players from moving - in one fell swoop...

Tighthead and Loosehead Locks? The two should never be mutally exclusive now. That gap is tightening. Donnacha Ryan proved that so well. Its why DOC's playing days are near over. Too limited.

Two players! He's not that feicin' good.

He sat on one and held two. Saffer wimps!

More and more players in the pack are becoming like extra flankers, the hooker, locks, even the props...

As Geordie says you still need that extra bulk somewhere though especially with the more modern props sometimes being on the smaller side

The thing is with modern training and diets you can have massive blokes who are solid in the scrums but who still do it all in open play. And tbh I think this is a good thing.

yappysnap wrote:More and more players in the pack are becoming like extra flankers, the hooker, locks, even the props...

As Geordie says you still need that extra bulk somewhere though especially with the more modern props sometimes being on the smaller side

The thing is with modern training and diets you can have massive blokes who are solid in the scrums but who still do it all in open play. And tbh I think this is a good thing.

I agree with all of that.
From an Irish perspective it means players like DOC and Ross (he is by far our best scrummager so has to be included) less useful players

Pete the other way of looking at that would be an old school prop like Ross must earn his money in the tight with every other team focussing on the extra flankers in the pack. Theoretically he should be able to dominate the less technical opposition players.

And then you can swing too far, England have Gaskell, a lock who is very dynamic and tall, but fairly ineffective in general due to his slight build.

Ireland, you and your extra flankers and extra centres. FFS!