How the Irish national Rugby union team should play against teams from Southern Hemisphere

Ireland have emphatically won this year's Six Nations tournament and secured the Grand Slam too.

However, in order to be the world's best team, they would have to get the better of the southern hemisphere teams as well.

It's a well-known fact that the Southern hemisphere teams play rugby quite differently, with faster ball movement and rapid pace.

Therefore, Ireland would have to readjust their strategies to counter those teams. They are heading towards Australia to play three tests this June.

We would like to have a look at some of the strategies the Irish might want to implement.

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#1 Keeping the ball in the opposition half as much as possible

Ireland should not concede much territory and try to play in the opposition half. They should kick the ball to the opposition half at times and must not allow the opposition to have too much possession inside the Irish half.

The southern hemisphere are quicker with the ball and if they would be very dangerous with possession inside the Irish half. It's very difficult to stop the likes of Barrett and Folau when they are running with the ball inside your own half. Kicking the ball out from the own 22 is also a good idea as it always helps in gaining territory.

Tactical tap kicks to the touch are also beneficial in earning line-outs and gaining ground. Jonathan Sexton is quite adept at doing this and he should be the man calling the shots, quite literally, in the midfield.

#2 Fast approach near the opposition 22:

When in possession near the opposition 22, they should try to be fast. NZ defense does not enjoy facing strong ball carriers. Therefore, the likes of Stander, their No. 8, should try to gain yards by making forceful carries. The attack near the opposition 22 should be fast and they can not afford to spend too much time by playing unnecessary passes and thereby giving the opposition defenders enough time to reposition themselves.

This could be a very good tactic against a team like South Africa, who have a sluggish defense. Also, attacking through the blindside would be a good idea as it would nullify the speed and agility of the Kiwi defenders and instead, the outcome would be decided on the basis of strength. Ireland maintained an average of 4 tries per match in the Six Nations 2018 and there is no reason why they can not keep up the good work against the Southern teams.

#3 Slow build up inside the own half

However, when building up a move from inside their own half, Ireland should not be so fast. They have to stay close to the ruck, play close passes and dictate the pace of the game. Conor Murray, their brilliant scrum-half, is a master of this art.

Ireland have employed this strategy at times in the Six Nations as well with resounding success. Following this tactics, they enjoyed more than 65% possession on an average in the Six Nations 2018. Against teams like New Zealand and Australia too, they can not afford to spread out the game too much inside their own half, as it would give the opposition a chance to win back possession.

They also must not allow NZ/Australia to intercept the balls and saunter to an easy try. And anyway, there should always be a second line of defense negating that possibility. Playing long passes inside their own half should be avoided as much as possible.

#4 Not committing too many players to breakdowns

Ireland should not involve too many players in the breakdown. NZ are very dangerous in broken play and they would make those surging runs through the center of the pitch or move the ball quickly to the wings to build up a fast counter-attack. Ireland should be in a position to prevent that.

Ireland's clean out work in the breakdowns has been exceptional in recent times, but they should avoid being too committed in the breakdowns and thereby not being in a position to prevent the opposition attacks off broken play. Involving too many players in the breakdown would mean that the rest of the players would have to cover more space, something which is very difficult to do against the rapid pace of the teams from the Southern hemisphere.

The Irish forward Trio of Best, Furlong and McGrath should involve themselves more in the breakdown and the likes of Stander should stay behind and join it when absolutely necessary.

#5 Patroling own 22 very well:

There should always be at least 2, preferably 3 players near the 22. The outside center and the fullback especially, can not afford to go up too often and they would have to protect the defense. Robbie Henshaw, their brilliant outside center, is very good at going up but he has to stay in his half most of the times and let Gary Ringrose, their no.12, make the attacks.

The wingers too, can not afford to spend too much time attacking. The likes of Jacob Stockdale should have an occasional go, but they should fall back quickly to protect the wings.

Stockdale did score an incredible 7(seven) tries in the six nations and is an amazing new talent, but he did not quite face the same offensive threat there as he is likely to experience against the southern teams, especially New Zealand. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do have some amazing wingers who have the ability to destroy any team with their try-scoring prowess. The Irish defense should be on permanent guard against any such threats.