Dubai Sevens: England win wild Battle of Britain with new-law buzzer-beater

Paul Radley reports on the bronze-medal match at Dubai Rugby Sevens, where England beat Wales after an earlier controversial win over Scotland.

England's fans cheer Ruaridh McConnochie's try against Scotland to give his team 24-21 last minute turnaround win in their quarter-final. Martin Dokoupil / AP Photo / December 3, 2016
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DUBAI // England took the bronze at the Dubai Rugby Sevens, and so won the three-team Battle of Britain.

They beat Wales in the third-place play-off, having earlier beaten Scotland in a controversial, well-after-the-buzzer finish to a captivating quarter-final.

Playing the percentages

England trailed 21-19 with four seconds left on the clock, when Tom Mitchell, their captain and kicker, opted not to try to kick a touchline conversion to level – and thus force overtime – in favour of trying to win back a restart.

“You take your ego out of it at those moments, and work out what is the better percentage for the team,” Mitchell said.

Change of fortune

England did win back possession, and went on the final-play attack, only to soon concede a penalty. Scotland then kicked the ball directly into touch, which would have signalled the end of the match – if not for a law change this season.

In order to give a losing team the chance to force a win via an attacking lineout, the laws have been changed to allow time to take the throw.

‘On the floor’

“I was on the floor at that moment, and was frustrated we hadn’t taken the right option in attack before that,” Mitchell said, when he saw Scotland lined up their direct kick for touch, without a tap preceding it.

“James Rodwell knew exactly what the scenario was, and was calling it. The ref knew. That is the law change. The job wasn’t done, but we worked it for Ruaridh [McConnochie] to score.”

Friendly reminder

Mitchell said he hoped his side would have known the law change were roles reversed.

“In sevens, you have busted a gut to get in that position, it is incredibly hot, you work really hard, and your brain is frazzled in those moments,” he said.

“What you hope is that, in the recesses of your brain, you remember what is the right thing to do – or your teammates help you out.”

pradley@thenational.ae

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