England need to beat the big boys

IT IS intriguing to see England being touted already as serious 2027 World Cup contenders on the back of their 2-0 series defeat this month in New Zealand.

- NICK CAIN

Here’s the reality check: England are almost always World Cup contenders, especially given a favourable draw, because they are generally among the half dozen biggest, strongest, and best-resourced rugby nations on the planet.

Yet, England’s record of turning their contender status into becoming champions of the world, or even of Europe, is nothing to shout about.

England have won the World Cup once in 10 tournaments, which, by 2027, will cover a 40-year span. They have won a Six Nations Grand Slam just twice in the last 25 years, despite competing against much smaller rugby nations like Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy.

Over the same period, France and Wales have won four Slams each, and Ireland three. Yet, perennially, England are talked-up as being potential world beaters despite their record of winning big international prizes being little better than mediocre.

Failing to deliver on the big stage is not yet as dire as it is in English football, but it is travelling the same rocky road – and without the safety net of football’s almost inexhaustible funding, promotion, and popularity, the Red Rose trajectory is downhill.

The motivation which drives different national teams was a topic of debate during this week’s TRP Podcast, in which Schalk Brits, the brilliant former Saracens and South Africa hooker, was our guest.

Brits said that the unwavering mission for all Springbok sides, including the double world champion outfits coached by Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, is to make the South African nation proud.