RUGBY:Kicking gains territory and forces the defensive line downfield. When that line is less organised, then you attack, writes MATT WILLIAMS

THE HALVES hold the key tomorrow. Victory will be dependant on effective game management from both scrumhalf and outhalf.

The halfbacks are charged with running any game of rugby. They are responsible for all go-forward ball, be it kicking, passing or conducting the pack in a driving maul.

Clearly, the Irish halfbacks have been instructed by the coaches to adopt a ball-in-hand game at all costs as attempts are made to alter more traditional Irish tactics to ensure progression under modern rule interpretations.

However, that has not been the major problem afflicting this team. In the last three matches against Argentina, Italy and France, the opposition have been gifted far too many shots at goal.

If Italy had an international standard goal-kicker it would have been a dark day for Ireland in Rome. France did kick their penalties and the result slipped away from Ireland despite crossing for three tries.

This is a strong indication that the halfbacks have not been adequately managing the territorial contest. We can presume this has contributed to the selection of a new pairing at nine-10. Granted, there are other reasons, like Tomás O’Leary’s back problem, but Jonathan Sexton has paid the price for Ireland playing the game in their own half.

In managing a game, the key tactical headings for halves are position, possession, pressure, patience and points.

When Ronan O’Gara came on against France he kicked the ball only once. That led to field position. The pressure was applied on the next lineout to regain possession and they showed the patience to go through the phases for Jamie Heaslip’s points.

Simple and effective. The ball is taken forward via kicking, close forward runners and wide runners. This is the essence of modern attacking rugby. Any nonsense about playing a running game without kicking does not merit discussion. Attacking rugby is about being unpredictable and capitalising on your opponent’s weaknesses. If you simply pass the ball wide, as Ireland have been guilty of far too often, you become predictable and easier to defend against. See the South Africa and Scotland defeats last year.

Leave that stuff to the Baa Baas.

Ireland kicked the ball 10 times in general play against France. New Zealand kicked the leather 24 times in beating the Springboks 34-10 last year.

Why? Kicking gains territory and forces the defensive line downfield. When that line is less organised, then you attack.

In boxing parlance, work your jab until the opportunity opens to unleash your big right hook and other combinations. Ireland are just brawling at the moment.

Ronan O’Gara has always had a great jab. His selection is correct as it keeps a very important debate alive. This game is suited to the ‘Old Bull’ in the initial stages anyway.

Now, looking at Sexton, his prodigious talent is obvious but we should also remember this is only his second full season as an international outhalf. He is a fast learner with all the necessary tools to survive at Test level (impressive runner, good distributor and fearless tackler – the total package really). However, from the evidence of the last four games Jonathan has played in a green jersey, Ireland have been playing a ball-in-hand game 40 metres from their own try line.

There has been much uneducated comment about Ronan’s selection. It should be noted that even though O’Gara kicked the ball to gain possession for Ireland’s third try against France, he then ran everything 30 metres from the French try-line and got a touch of luck for Heaslips try. For the last play, when Sebastien Chabal threw a terrible pass to give Ireland possession, O’Gara correctly ran and passed the ball only 20 metres from Ireland’s line for the final two minutes, until a handling error gave the French their victorious exit strategy.

Game management is about what card you play from the hand you are dealt. Ireland have been running the ball as a pre-determined plan, rather than identifying what is the best option available to them in each individual circumstance.

O’Gara will play what’s in front of him and Sexton will learn from watching him.

We also have to look at the scrumhalf when it comes to game management. O’Leary has been playing through a back spasm. This was obviously a factor in his passing technique dropping below its usual standards. Tomás’ running for his try was outstanding and while I admire him for toughing it out, the danger for a player taking the field injured is they will be judged on their performance as the general presumption will be he must be fit.

Eoin Reddan deserves another opportunity. I observed Eoin very closely in the Clermont fixture at the Aviva. His passing has noticeably improved this season. The Leinster coaching staff has assisted in Eoin’s technique having more pace and rhythm.

The scrumhalf should only run with the ball if they or the player one pass away is attacking the gainline. Otherwise, there should be no steps taken once they put hands on the ball.

If we look at the English halfbacks, Ben Youngs and Toby Flood, Youngs is providing fast and accurate passing for Flood, but he is also running to attack the second defender at a ruck. This is a direct imitation of George Gregan. Youngs has clearly profited under the tutelage of Leicester backs coach Matt O’Connor, who played with Gregan at the ACT Brumbies for many years.

Youngs created Chris Ashton’s try against Italy by taking an arched run, attacking the second defender. Flood took a pop pass into the gap and Ashton did the rest. This was pre-rehearsed.

Scotland’s patent lack of depth in their backline should be chillingly exposed tomorrow at Murrayfield.

The loss of Graeme Morrison and Joe Ansbro, along with Hugo Southwell and Rory Lamont, means they lack centres of international quality. Sean Lamont is a fine winger at inside centre while Chris Patterson being drafted in at fullback reeks of desperation.

After O’Driscoll and D’Arcy Ireland have Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Fergus McFadden, Eoin O’Malley, Keith Matthews, Johne Murphy, Nevin Spence and others who can switch to midfield from wing/fullback.

Scotland have a worrying lack of depth mainly due to those who have always argued against professional rugby in the country ultimately getting their way.

A commentator recently asked: “How can Dan Parks get 50 Test caps?” The simple answer is there has been a lack of alternative.

There were many occasions when I coached Scotland that I was left with no choice but to select players well below international standard.

Robinson seems to be experiencing the same problem with Ruaridh Jackson at outhalf and Sean Lamont at 12.

Also, Patterson, while a great goal kicker, can kick poorly in general play. This should give Ireland the ideal chance to showcase their new counter-attacking plan. It is a real opportunity, if managed correctly. This game may well come to life with the arrival of Parks and Sexton in the second half. Both have plenty to prove to their respective coaches.

Ireland should win by at least 10 points. A wet day in Edinburgh and the mounting pressure on Irish shoulders may see this margin reduced. If Scotland don’t improve from the Welsh performance the margin may well be embarrassing. They cannot be that atrocious again. They will be angry but, after the France match, Ireland should be as well.