Kick-off times to stifle title drama, insists Howley
WALES assistant coach Rob Howley believes the final day drama in the battle for Six Nations glory would be intensified had all fixtures been scheduled to kick off simultaneously.
Leaders England will play France in the championship’s final clash at Twickenham tomorrow evening knowing exactly what is required to be crowned Six Nations champions, while Wales are first up against Italy in Rome.
England hold a slender points difference advantage over Ireland, who face Scotland at Murrayfield, but are 25 points better off than Wales, and Howley concedes his side are the outsiders to reclaim a trophy they last won in 2013.
“I do really enjoy the last day of Premier League football where you have everyone listening to their radios for the scores,” said Howley. “The drama of that situation is unique. It would be unique in rugby and it should be the case in the Six Nations.
“In terms of us all kicking off at the same time there would be some drama in the game knowing what changes had to be made and the message that needed to be got onto the pitch.
“Going first up it’s important to win the game, although I am not too sure what we will do will be enough. Ireland and England will have the opportunity after our game to know what they have to do. That could be a hindrance to us but we have to focus.”