AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL TEAM FORM GUIDE

We did say it would be a phoney war, a year out from the RWC in Japan, but how each of the top 9 nations performed over the last few weeks does allow us to predict (or speculate) results on the world's biggest stage next year.

ENGLAND 7/10

Highlights were that first 30 minutes against NZ, beating SA on the scoreboard, despite coming second on the pitch, and the second half against Australia to close out the game. Lowlights were the dreadful first half against Japan, the lack of possession and territory against SA and conceding too many tries against weaker opposition, allowing them to stay in the game for too long. They have unearthed some good squad players in Wilson and Underhill in back row, Sinckler and Moon in front row, & Cokanasiga out wide, plus Tuilagi appears back and fit.

Kyle Sinckler in the thick of it

However, as the Japan experiment showed, they still rely on Farrell at fly half to dominate teams early on, as Ford cannot boss a game like Faz in the first 50-60 minutes (he is better when game opens up later on). Also, if they are to win the World Cup, at this stage, they should be beating teams above them in the world ranking at home. Despite the controversial late try, NZ looked much the better team in the second half. That is why I have graded England a 7, rather than a popular 8.

WALES 8/10

Wales won 4/4 Autumn internationals for first time for a very long time, albeit against teams outside the top five in the world. Highlights were their "Shaun Edwards"sponsored defence, which was immense, only conceding a total of two tries in tight games against Scotland, Australia and South Africa. They got the Australia monkey back off their back, despite not scoring a try, and, in Ellis Jenkins, have found a gem to partner Tipuric and Faletau in back row - hope his injury is not serious. Also, unlike other teams, they appear now to have options at fly half with Anscombe rivalling Biggar. Their RWC group of Australia, plus (an improving) Fiji and Georgia looks mouth watering.

Wales will hope Ellis Jenkins is fit for 6 Nations

IRELAND 8/10

Some have given Ireland 10/10 for their unbeaten Autumn performances, but although they beat NZ in one of the best games I have ever seen (if you have not yet seen the whole game live, watch it, the physicality and accuracy are stunning), their other opposition were a competitive Argentina, plus USA and Italy. Their 6 Nations fixtures of Wales and Scotland away, plus England at home, will be a better test of their RWC winning credentials. Yes, they have quality and experience all over the park, and, yes, some of their younger breed look very good indeed (James Ryan, Jacob Stockdale, Gary Ringrose, etc), but, like England and Scotland, if their first choice fly half is not fit, they are not as effective against the better teams (and with Ireland, this problem is further exacerbated as Sexton is the best 10 in the world).

Here's Johnny ... please stay fit my son

SCOTLAND 6/10

Scotland had some tough fixtures, especially Wales in Cardiff (with a few key players missing as match outside the international window), and a resurgent South Africa, plus Argentina and Fiji (who they lost to in the summer). They narrowly lost to SA (a game they should have won), won ugly against Argentina, and overcame an underprepared Fiji team comfortably. Against the better teams, without John Barclay, they struggled at the breakdown, and without Finn Russell at fly half they struggled to unlock the organised Welsh and Argentinian defence. On the plus side, they blooded Sam Skinner in the back five, Jamie Ritchie in the back row and Josh Strauss was brought back into the fold to give them more ball carrying options, which in the absence of David Denton and Blade Thompson, they need badly. Their final RWC group game against hosts, Japan, will be a cup final.

Josh Strauss back in the Scotland squad

FRANCE 3/10

NEW ZEALAND 8/10

AUSTRALIA 4/10

SOUTH AFRICA 7/10

FIJI 7/10

RFU LOSES £30M

The Rugby Football Union has predicted “growing uncertainty” and “challenging times” after its annual accounts revealed a £30.9m loss and the forced redundancy of 54 staff members.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/26/rfu-accounts-reveal-loss-and-redundancy-of-54-staff-members

FARRELL ESCAPES AGAIN

Once again we are talking about the referee's interpretation of the laws in a game rather than England's encouraging performance versus Australia. The fact that Owen Farrell's tackle was not even looked at again by the ref with the help of the TMO is surprising. The referee said that Rodda, the attacker, dipped his shoulder on contact, so making it look worse, but it is irrelevant what he does, as the onus is on the tackler to make a legal hit. Once again, Farrell did not use his arms to make a safe, legal tackle and, as the last defender preventing a clear try scoring opportunity, it should have been a yellow card and a penalty try. It would, probably, have made no difference to the outcome of the game, but it would have put Oz +4 up at half time, instead of level at 13-13. What concerns me most is that, if Farrell persists in tackling with shoulder and no arms, then, if he gets carded when it really matters, at the RWC in Japan, versus France in the group stage, or Wales in the QF, the consequences will be far more serious. World Rugby needs to get this sorted out now...