Rugby: Switzerland prepare for Armenian conundrum

It’s been over a year since Switzerland suffered a 35-15 defeat in Armenia in a European Group 3A match, but the memory still smarts for national coach, Steve Smith. “We had 60 or 70 per cent of the possession in that match and somehow ended up losing by 20 points,” he said, still a hint of incredulity in his voice.

Defence was the issue, he told Swisster. “They have a good set of backs, two strong runners in particular and a good number eight who caused us a lot of problems. We have to make sure that those first up tackles count this time.”

Missing some 20 players through injury or absenteeism, Smith reunites with the squad on Saturday, the first time since the 13-8 loss in Serbia.

Nonetheless, he appears confident that the team is on the right track, despite the negative outcome in the Balkans. “The strategy was correct; it was the implementation that let up down,” he said.

“When we get into Armenia’s 22 we need to open up some more options which we didn’t have against Serbia. We don’t want to be too narrow-minded when we get close to their line,” another component of the Swiss engine to be tinkered with in training.

Offensive penetration hasn’t been Switzerland’s strong suit. The team has scored 61 points in five games (the lowest attacking record in the group) with 101 against, a defensive record that Armenia will have doubtless noted.

However, quite which Armenia will show up this weekend – the version that beat Switzerland, or the one which forfeited against Lithuania – is far from clear. Rumours have it that the country’s fledgling rugby federation has been conducting its own civil war as members of the national squad, some of whom ply their trade in France, look on bewildered.

“They are a good side but they have had some difficulties. We just have to assume it’s going to be their strongest team,” said Smith.

One point separates Armenia (third) from Switzerland (fourth) in the five-team group standings. And with promotion now out of the question, both will be desperate to avoid the relegation prize for finishing as wooden spooners.

Switzerland have three matches left. “It is going to be fairly serious if we lose, we would have to win the remaining two,” said Smith.

That option is best avoided. Defeat on Sunday would leave the national team more-than-likely required to beat Lithuania in April – a team that practically owns the group – and then Andorra in May, a more realistic prospect.

Smith is leaving the final squad announcement until Saturday. The match kicks off on Sunday at 3pm in Yverdon.

Switzerland from: Cyril Cafiero, Leo Vera, Daniel Weigh, Dave Reber, Yannik Staubli, Clement Bartschi, David Flück, Nicholas Guyou, Geoff Johnson, Victor McClean, Jacky Dervey, Eric Laval, Jesse Nicholas, Mathieu Guyou-Kreis, Oli Gerber, Schelte Betten, Francis Booth, Frank Vincent, Bastien Saschet, Josh Bjornson, Ryan Naude, Ali Nouri, Iain Wise, Ludovic Keller.