‘Phoney’ because the players will still be leggy from their training camps, the coaches will be trying things out and nobody will want to give away anything about how they are going to approach the tournament tactically.
That said, the games will still be very important for the players. It will be their final chance to shine to try to clinch a ticket to France. For the coaches, it is the chance to see if three months’ work has got them to where they wanted to be. As for the fans, it is a chance to get in the mood for the main event in September and October.
I’ve always felt that the southern hemisphere sides gain an advantage by playing their Rugby Championship matches ahead of the World Cup. It gets them battle hardened physically and mentally and it means there is a more natural progression to their season – Super Rugby, Rugby Championship, World Cup.
The Scots are the first in action with the opening game of their four-match block against Italy coming at Murrayfield this weekend. Then they go on to play France back-to-back before ending with Georgia.
Wales play England home and away and then take on the reigning world champions South Africa – perfect! Three games only, less chance to pick up needless injuries.
England face world No.1 ranked side Ireland in Dublin after their double header with Wales and then tackle Fiji. The Fijians, who kick-off their Pool C campaign against Wales in Bordeaux on Sunday, September 10, launched their hectic warm-up schedule with a home clash against Tonga yesterday. They now head to Samoa, before meeting Japan, France and England ahead of their huge clash with Wales.
This story is from the July 23, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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 July 23, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.