Playacting?

Austin Healey has accused the Irish Rugby team of “playacting” during their 24-15 win over England on Saturday.

Speaking on BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight Podcast, the former England international had plenty of praise for Joe Schmidt’s men, but his comments about Ireland and their supposed “playacting” have us confused.

That’s my only problem with the Irish team – brilliant side, great players across the field – but there was an awful lot of playacting going on.

A lot of screaming, a lot of noise, it’s working for them and it’s getting them where they need to be – I mean they’ve won three Six Nations in the last five years and now they’ve got a Grand Slam – undoubtedly one of the favourites for the World Cup.

Healey didn’t really give an examples of this so called “playacting”, so we’re not too sure what he’s on about. Do you think the Irish team have been guilty of any of this kind of behaviour?

Perhaps he’s referring to Conor Murray, who is usually quite vocal. But that’s just good game management. His co-host Ben Kay meanwhile was busy lauding Murray, who he believes is the best in the world.

I think Murray is the best in the world.

Not necessarily someone like Aaron Smith, who might have glitzy play to him, but in terms of a nine that manages the game. His box kicking is absolutely superb, which they’ve built a lot of the foundations for some of their performances over the years on; the speed that he gets the ball to Sexton or the forward carriers’ hands is as quick as anyone.

He manages the referee perfectly, not by chomping at him and screaming at him, but because he plays so fast all the time and as soon as it’s not coming the hands come out and he goes – ‘where is it? I can’t see it’. And then the referee gives a penalty. Murray controls the agenda at the breakdown.”