Even a few years ago the notion that the Six Nations might be harder to win than a World Cup would have been ridiculous. Suddenly that is how it feels: whoever lifts the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan this year will not have met more highly-ranked opponents in more hostile surroundings than they will encounter on the cold playing fields of Europe in the next two months.
Take Ireland, the defending champions and the second highest ranked team in the world. Their RWC pool contains four other teams ranked 7th, 11th, 16th and 19th respectively, and they could conceivably reach the final in Yokohama without facing opponents ranked higher than fifth. Contrast that with their more immediate task: five successive hardcore challenges, four against tough, improving teams ranked among the world’s top 10.
Written by Robert Kitson
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/30/six-nations-tougher-win-rugby-world-cup-robert-kitson under the title “Six Nations could be tougher to win this year than the Rugby World Cup | Robert Kitson”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
