Report Cards: How each nation is faring ahead of Autumn Nations Cup
With a marathon Guinness Six Nations Championship that extended to 274 days finally done and dusted, attention will now turn to the Autumn Nations Cup.
Here, the PA news agency reflects on the state of the nations.
England
A year after losing to South Africa in the World Cup final, England clinched a seventh Six Nations crown, edging out France on points difference. It was not a classic tournament, but England’s consistency – and impressive recovery after losing to Les Bleus in their opening game nine months ago – underpinned them winning the race for silverware. Established world-class performers like Maro Itoje and Tom Curry again excelled, scrum-half Ben Youngs won his 100th cap and exciting new talent like lock Jonny Hill and centre Ollie Lawrence were introduced. All appears rosy in the English garden.
France
England might be champions, but France were the story of this season’s tournament. Head coach Fabien Galthie has turned them from an under-performing, stale and predictable unit into an exhilarating and joyous group. Smiles are back on faces, tries of ridiculous brilliance are being scored, and in young half-backs Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont they have a combination of rare magic. France will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and Les Bleus should be serious contenders for global domination.
Ireland
Ireland were in title contention until the final game on the final day, but ultimately they came up short. Andy Farrell’s team defeated Scotland, Wales and Italy, yet were well-beaten by the tournament’s top two teams England and France. Some promising newcomers, led by wing Hugo Keenan, emerged, although ultimately there was insufficient firepower when it really mattered. Ireland will continue to challenge on the Six Nations stage, but do they possess enough quality to threaten the world’s best?
Scotland
Scotland finishing fourth is hardly headline news, yet there is so much to be positive about for Gregor Townsend’s squad. For the first time since 1996, when Townsend was a player, Scotland recorded three successive Five or Six Nations victories, including a first away win against Wales for 18 years. Scotland are developing into a strong all-round team, matching traditional counter-attacking ability with set-piece strength and a dynamic back-row. There is plenty for Scottish supporters to be excited about.
Wales
Wales have gone from Grand Slam champions last year to recording their worst Six Nations return – four defeats and one victory – since 2007. It has proved a tough baptism for Warren Gatland’s coaching successor Wayne Pivac, whose only wins from seven starts are against Italy and the Barbarians. Their defence – an area of enormous strength when Shaun Edwards was in charge of it – has dropped off to such an extent that 16 tries have been conceded in the last five games, while their attacking edge also needs sharpening. Pivac has plenty to ponder.
Italy
Italy finished bottom of the Six Nations pile for a 15th time, failing to register a point, losing by an average scoreline of 36-9 and doing nothing to silence the debate about Six Nations promotion and relegation. In a results-based business, their performances remain way off the pace, and it is difficult to see any obvious signs of improvement. Scores against them in this season’s competition of 42-0, 35-22, 17-0, 50-17 and 34-5 tell a dismal, but sadly so predictable, story.
Fiji
Vern Cotter’s men have been hit with an outbreak of Covid-19 and have been forced to call off a much needed warm-up game against Portugal. Starved of game time since they played the Barbarians last November following the Rugby World Cup, the Flying Fijians could face an uphill battle to make an impact in the novel Autumn Nations Cup. Semi Radrdara being ruled out until the end of November won’t have helped their cause, but expect them to get better as the tournament goes on.
Georgia
A late replacement for Japan after the Brave Blossoms pulled out of the Autumn Nations Cup, like Fiji, Georgia are desperate for meaningful game time. A 48 – 7 thumping at the hands of Scotland won’t have helped their confidence, but the Lelos will eager for a good showing after a relatively disappointing Rugby World Cup in Japan. Georgia’s desire to be considered a potential entrant to any expanded Six Nations competition could depend on it.
PA, additional reporting RugbyPass
Comments on RugbyPass
Always reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
1 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
4 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
4 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to comments