Juicy weekend of rugby, kick offs in GMT
Friday
Ireland vs New Zealand - 2010
Saturday
England vs Australia - 1510
Italy vs Argentina - 1740
France vs Japan - 2010
Sunday
Wales vs Fiji - 1340
Scotland vs South Africa - 1610
Share your predictions, post some reactions, and bonus question: how many cards this weekend?
No way are England top tier right now. But I do agree there is a top 4 then a drop off. Scotland has an inability to crack them and that’s the debate about Townsend. As to the why, it’s the depth imo that allows them to defend with such ferocity AND attack. Frequently we see one or the other in players, but the top 4 nations have a player pool where the world class do both. They also have player pathways that are world class that develops these individuals, which pays dividends in the long term
I figured with the 3 very close losses two NZ that if I didn’t say England were in the top tier then there’s a strong argument that NZ aren’t either. And given their placings in the World Cup just a year ago I think its fair even if Borthwick’s record is only 50/50 over a lot of tests now.