"If not now, when for the northern hemisphere?"

Nine World Cups and only one success for the North. But, argues Stephen Jones, there will never be a better opportunity to end that grisly stat

- STEPHEN JONES

HERE IS the abysmal record of northern hemisphere nations at the Rugby World Cup. There have been nine World Cups to date, eight of which were won by southern hemisphere teams – an absolutely miserable return. No northern hemisphere side has won a tournament staged in Europe.

Staggering, given all the gallons of sweat and millions of pounds poured into the campaigns, not to mention the passion of the teams.

The only time the deep South domination paused – just for one tournament – came in 2003 when England fielded the best team in their history, beat Australia in the final, launched Jonny Wilkinson as a global celebrity and forever cemented Martin Johnson in the annals of great English sportsmen.

Even then, the win was sealed only seconds before the end of extra time. Not good really, are we?

Since 2003, England have generally faded into the background and the southern hemisphere domination has resumed. France have probably been the most disappointing team amongst Europe’s finest because they have reached three finals – in 1987, 1999 and 2011 – but mystifyingly and disappointingly, they were hopeless in each of the three. Whatever they bought with them throughout the tournament, they lost it on the big day.

The sequence of winners runs: New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, New Zealand, South Africa. Ouch! Perhaps the most embarrassing moments came in 2015 in England, of all places, when there were no northern hemisphere teams in the semi-finals at all.