The English have proved to be the team to beat in this year’s Six Nations. A great win against Ireland and last night’s thrashing of France mean they will face off with Wales next week in what will probably be the decider of the Championship – notwithstanding Scotland or Italy, but it’s hard to see either beating England or Wales.
So what do we make of this rich vein of form? Flash in the pan or world beating build up to the circus in Japan later this year? If we cast our minds back to 2003 when they only lost to France, and only by a point, they saw off all-comers including beating the Aussies in the World Cup Final. They showed signs of being World beaters in 2002 as well again only losing to France and the All Blacks. A steady build up.
2006 and 2007 were dismal for the Red Rose and still they managed to get to the Final of the 2007 World Cup.
Not much better were the 2010 and 2011 seasons that culminated in a Quarter Final exit thanks to France. France, incidentally, lost 3 games at that World Cup and got second. Ummmm, what?
Then, as we know, the Poms showed average form leading to the 2015 World Cup and missed out completely.
Can we take anything on form leading up to the World Cup? If we look at Australia or France then no. The English will be a better side than the debacle of 2015 but will they be painted as one of the favourites? Hard to say. Once the pool stages are done with, the tournament has shown that anything can happen. Eddie Jones’ men will be tough and well-drilled and I would say battle hardened. But, they still have to beat the likes of France and Argentina to advance. If they do, they will be well-used to winning and could be a factor.
mysportingvoice.com 