I’ve some predictions and a piece on rucking stats in today’s Irish Times Six Nations preview magazine (Wednesday, February 4th 2015):

Rugby’s “unseen work” is a term that can be bandied about during rugby commentary. It’s usually spoken of with regard to forwards, particularly the grizzled chaps who shun the bright lights of ‘carries’ or ‘metres made’ to instead concentrate on applying themselves to dark arts in dark places.

At Twickenham in the 2014 Six Nations, Leinster’s Jordi Murphy came on for starting openside Chris Henry in the 71st minute. Murphy would end that substitute appearance with zero carries, zero tackles. An ineffective substitute outing?

Read more at http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/six-nations-2015-dark-arts-in-dark-places-1.2089514