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For all England’s depth, Stuart Lancaster must envy Welsh consistency For all England’s depth, Stuart Lancaster must envy Welsh consistency
(about 1 hour later)
A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBERA NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER
Seldom have two touches of a rugby ball attracted so much attention. Sam Burgess came off the bench at the Recreation Ground last Friday to watch his forwards grind the Harlequins pack into the wet turf and within a couple of days was being cited by the England management as a potential recruit.Seldom have two touches of a rugby ball attracted so much attention. Sam Burgess came off the bench at the Recreation Ground last Friday to watch his forwards grind the Harlequins pack into the wet turf and within a couple of days was being cited by the England management as a potential recruit.
As a midfielder rather than a back-rower, the area where England are most in need after an autumn series which ended in victory over Australia but left them, at best, no further forward than at the same point 12 months before. They have strength in depth at forward, but need Manu Tuilagi to provide a focal point behind. Burgess is a lucky dip. As a midfielder rather than a back-row, the area where England are most in need after an autumn series which ended in victory over Australia but left them, at best, no further forward than at the same point 12 months before. They have strength in depth at forward, but need Manu Tuilagi to provide a focal point behind. Burgess is a lucky dip.
England have been installed as second favourites for the World Cup, behind the holders, New Zealand, who, along with Ireland, had a November to remember. Home advantage is more of a factor than form and it is arguable that Wales took more out of their four matches than England, even though they both won two out of four and one out of three with the Sanzar nations.England have been installed as second favourites for the World Cup, behind the holders, New Zealand, who, along with Ireland, had a November to remember. Home advantage is more of a factor than form and it is arguable that Wales took more out of their four matches than England, even though they both won two out of four and one out of three with the Sanzar nations.
The scorelines point to England, a three-point defeat to New Zealand compared to Wales’s 18 and a victory over Australia that was more emphatic than Wales’s on the same afternoon over a South Africa side shorn of its players who were based with clubs in Europe and Japan which should make them reflect on the wisdom of playing a fourth international, but both losses were distorted by a try that came too late to affect the result. The scorelines point to England, a three-point defeat to New Zealand compared to Wales’s 18 and a victory over Australia that was more emphatic than Wales’s on the same afternoon over a South Africa side shorn of their players who were based with clubs in Europe and Japan which should make them reflect on the wisdom of playing a fourth international, but both losses were distorted by a try that came too late to affect the result.
Wales’s selection was consistent throughout and they led Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with 11 minutes to go, only holding on against the Springboks and ending a six-year losing run against the southern hemisphere’s big three that should strengthen self-belief in World Cup year.Wales’s selection was consistent throughout and they led Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with 11 minutes to go, only holding on against the Springboks and ending a six-year losing run against the southern hemisphere’s big three that should strengthen self-belief in World Cup year.
Unlike his England counterpart Stuart Lancaster, the Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, knows his strongest side but he does not enjoy anywhere near the same depth. Had Wales suffered the same number of injuries as England this season and in the same positions – Lancaster was without an entire front five – they would very probably not have been as competitive.Unlike his England counterpart Stuart Lancaster, the Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, knows his strongest side but he does not enjoy anywhere near the same depth. Had Wales suffered the same number of injuries as England this season and in the same positions – Lancaster was without an entire front five – they would very probably not have been as competitive.
Wales and England open the Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium on the first Friday in February, their last meeting before the World Cup when the men in white will be the hosts. Defeat would hold more for Wales, but Twickenham no longer haunts them. Gatland talks about his team being equipped to win the World Cup, but it is places 16-31 in his squad that will define the team’s success at least as much as 1-15.Wales and England open the Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium on the first Friday in February, their last meeting before the World Cup when the men in white will be the hosts. Defeat would hold more for Wales, but Twickenham no longer haunts them. Gatland talks about his team being equipped to win the World Cup, but it is places 16-31 in his squad that will define the team’s success at least as much as 1-15.
For all the talk of the World Cup, the Six Nations comes first. Despite Gatland saying before the start of the November series that his priority was getting out of a group that includes England and Australia, the victory over South Africa was hugely valuable to him and Wales who, with home matches against England and Ireland, will be targeting a fourth title.For all the talk of the World Cup, the Six Nations comes first. Despite Gatland saying before the start of the November series that his priority was getting out of a group that includes England and Australia, the victory over South Africa was hugely valuable to him and Wales who, with home matches against England and Ireland, will be targeting a fourth title.
The Six Nations has in recent years been a three-way contest: England runners-up to either Wales or Ireland. France have largely been shambolic, their energy wasted on a club-country dispute: as the Top 14 grows, so the national side shrivels. There were signs of an improvement last month: a comfortable victory over Fiji was followed by a measure of atonement for the series whitewash in Australia last summer, but they fell at the third hurdle against Argentina in Paris.The Six Nations has in recent years been a three-way contest: England runners-up to either Wales or Ireland. France have largely been shambolic, their energy wasted on a club-country dispute: as the Top 14 grows, so the national side shrivels. There were signs of an improvement last month: a comfortable victory over Fiji was followed by a measure of atonement for the series whitewash in Australia last summer, but they fell at the third hurdle against Argentina in Paris.
Their head coach, Philippe Saint-André, was more consistent in selection than before, picking the same team for Fiji and Australia and confining himself to five changes for the Pumas. The half-back and back row combinations remained the same as Saint-André used the World Cup, where group matches are played in a short block, as his model.Their head coach, Philippe Saint-André, was more consistent in selection than before, picking the same team for Fiji and Australia and confining himself to five changes for the Pumas. The half-back and back row combinations remained the same as Saint-André used the World Cup, where group matches are played in a short block, as his model.
He lamented after the defeat to Argentina that his players were not conditioned to play three Tests in as many weeks, saying they needed to improve physically and mentally. “We have some players who struggle at this level to compete for 80 minutes in intense and ferocious matches one after another,” he added. “We have a healthy, intelligent group; we know where we are and where we want to go.” He has become used to being told where to go.He lamented after the defeat to Argentina that his players were not conditioned to play three Tests in as many weeks, saying they needed to improve physically and mentally. “We have some players who struggle at this level to compete for 80 minutes in intense and ferocious matches one after another,” he added. “We have a healthy, intelligent group; we know where we are and where we want to go.” He has become used to being told where to go.
It is a recurring problem for Saint-André. France have won six matches out of 15 in the Six Nations since he took over from Marc Lièvremont after the 2011 World Cup and although they had a mathematical chance of winning the title on the final day of this year’s tournament, their victories over England and Scotland were narrow, and fortunate, while they laboured for the most part at home to Italy.It is a recurring problem for Saint-André. France have won six matches out of 15 in the Six Nations since he took over from Marc Lièvremont after the 2011 World Cup and although they had a mathematical chance of winning the title on the final day of this year’s tournament, their victories over England and Scotland were narrow, and fortunate, while they laboured for the most part at home to Italy.
France have become less enigmatic and more consistently average. Last month did uncork the wing Teddy Thomas, who scored some sparkling tries, but they lack the cohesion of their rivals. Their opening Six Nations fixture is at home to Scotland which, ordinarily, would be regarded as a home banker, but Vern Cotter has so far got the most out of his players.France have become less enigmatic and more consistently average. Last month did uncork the wing Teddy Thomas, who scored some sparkling tries, but they lack the cohesion of their rivals. Their opening Six Nations fixture is at home to Scotland which, ordinarily, would be regarded as a home banker, but Vern Cotter has so far got the most out of his players.
Victories over Argentina and Tonga, countries Scotland have struggled against, came either side of an eight-point defeat to New Zealand. The All Blacks may have selected a largely reserve side, but that has not stopped them from gorging on tries at Murrayfield in the past.Victories over Argentina and Tonga, countries Scotland have struggled against, came either side of an eight-point defeat to New Zealand. The All Blacks may have selected a largely reserve side, but that has not stopped them from gorging on tries at Murrayfield in the past.
Scotland are playing smarter under Cotter, who has overhauled the team since taking charge in the summer: only four of the side that started the final match of the Six Nations last March took the field against New Zealand, and if it is a stretch to say they are title contenders, they are unlikely to repeat the passivity they showed against England nine months ago.Scotland are playing smarter under Cotter, who has overhauled the team since taking charge in the summer: only four of the side that started the final match of the Six Nations last March took the field against New Zealand, and if it is a stretch to say they are title contenders, they are unlikely to repeat the passivity they showed against England nine months ago.
Which leaves Italy. It has been a wretched year for the Azzurri, one victory in 11 Tests, 24-13 against Samoa last month after they had trailed at the interval. They lost in the summer to Fiji, Samoa and Japan and their total of 13 tries includes three penalty tries. Their stalwarts are getting older and there appears to be little coming through. They would give a cellar-load of chianti for a Sam Burgess.Which leaves Italy. It has been a wretched year for the Azzurri, one victory in 11 Tests, 24-13 against Samoa last month after they had trailed at the interval. They lost in the summer to Fiji, Samoa and Japan and their total of 13 tries includes three penalty tries. Their stalwarts are getting older and there appears to be little coming through. They would give a cellar-load of chianti for a Sam Burgess.
It should be an open Six Nations with Wales, Ireland and England again the contenders. France have it in them for a one-off performance, but Ireland and Wales will have to tread warily in Edinburgh where the balance of power may lie.It should be an open Six Nations with Wales, Ireland and England again the contenders. France have it in them for a one-off performance, but Ireland and Wales will have to tread warily in Edinburgh where the balance of power may lie.
• This is an extract taken from the Breakdown, the Guardian’s weekly rugby union email. Sign up here.• This is an extract taken from the Breakdown, the Guardian’s weekly rugby union email. Sign up here.