Assessing the Vikings

Norway were relegated from European Nations Cup group 2C at the end of last season and will now play alongside Finland in group 2D. Our Nordic rivals have a key advantage before we meet on the field: they participate in the Clash of the Vikings tournament with fellow Scandinavian nations Sweden and Denmark.
Norway recently played Denmark at Rosslyn Park in London (home of the famous 7s tournament) and Ruck Tales has the video for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UcW_ZtO3FHc#!

Because the video is recorded from a live stream, there is a lot of stopping and starting - it's better than nothing!

Some notes:

• Norwegian support play is slow in attack - no evidence of pod play. The ball carrier often goes in without close support.
• Defensive line aligns quickly enough on slow ball.
• BUT when tracking back after their line is broken, their line is slow to reform, with defenders walking back into position - this gives an opportunity for quick ball to attack wide.
• AND Norway's wide men are often lazy at getting back onside - something to exploit.
• In lineouts, they are not afraid to throw to the middle and back, but the success rate is very 50/50.
• Norwegian discipline at the ruck cracks under pressure, with 2 yellow cards coming from ruckside offences.