We’ve got the Northern Hemisphere form teams, Ireland and France, and an improved Scotland, battling it out with each other, and with New Zealand and reigning world champions South Africa. Hansen obviously doesn’t like it much as a former All Blacks coach, and he knows also that from now on the Northern Hemisphere teams are just going to freshen up and get ready for the World Cup.
By contrast, the Southern Hemisphere teams will soon be going head to head in the Rugby Championship – and it will be interesting to see how the teams in England’s half of the draw, Argentina and Australia, get on against the Springboks and All Blacks.
Every now and then you get all the favourites in one half of the tournament, and Hansen, who is over here coaching a World XV to take on Eddie Jones’ Barbarians at Twickenham today, took the opportunity to say that England must be rubbing their hands together because they are going to get an easy ride to the quarter-finals if they do things right.
Hansen excluded England from his list of likely tournament winners – which are France, South Africa, New Zealand, or Ireland – and that assessment is reasonable, because, outside of the England camp, no one is expecting them to win the World Cup this autumn.
However, given their sixth place world ranking we should expect England to get to the quarter-finals, where they should play either Wales or Australia, and right now they could beat either of those teams. That might change if Australia show a big improvement during the course of the Rugby Championship.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Stade are heading in right direction
IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever it might be, something involving snowflakes, perhaps, or frosts – that’s the situation at Stade Francais right now.
Borthwick needs to sort out defence
WELL surprise, surprise England at last managed to win at home in front of a nearly full Allianz stadium even if it was against a team that they had thrashed just a few months earlier.
Rowland is gearing up for world cup challenge
HELENA Rowland believes England Women have been given advance warning that next year’s Rugby World Cup is to be no formality.
All my energy is going into Beziers
IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, the 11-time French champions, along with Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.
Fylde left to count cost of the cards
LEEDS TYKES were thankful for their resolute defence as they clung on to claim a narrow win against Fylde.
O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings
EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and insists it is the best preparation for his transition to senior rugby after graduation.
It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham
PROUD Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else.
Bristol hit heights to take down champions
BRISTOL Bears head coach Dave Ward could not hide his delight following an impressive victory over reigning PWR champions Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm.
Good to see the Eagles soaring again
THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.
Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash
FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.
