The Six Nations came to an end this past weekend in an explosion of point-scoring, in what was a celebration of rugby.
– Ireland retain Six Nations title despite England heroics
– #Quiz360: WIN a group paintball session at Zayed Sports City
– #360LIVE: Relive the final day of action from the Six Nations
However, attention will now turn to this autumn’s Rugby World Cup when the Six Nations sides will come face-to-face with the best that the Southern Hemisphere has to offer.
New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, in particular, will be considered among the favourites to claim the title at Twickenham.
Our #360debate today is: Can a Northern Hemisphere team win the 2015 World Cup?
Matthew Jones, Reporter, thinks YES
On home soil and on the back of a thrillingly competitive Six Nations, there is no more opportune time for a Northern Hemisphere team to win the Rugby World Cup.
The major barrier – and most would probably regard the All Blacks more of an immovable object – will be the absolute necessity to play a flawless 80 minutes of rugby against the world’s best.
This will be the eighth World Cup, of which the Southern Hemisphere sides have won six of the previous seven. The Europeans have featured in five of those finals, however, and there have been many ‘oh so nears’ and ‘what ifs’.
What a nutty day. Just the 221pts across three 6N games. Unbelievable drama. Congrats Ireland. England bridesmaids again. Bring on RWC!
— Alastair Eykyn (@alastaireykyn) March 21, 2015
The men from the land of the long white cloud will be overwhelming favourites to retain their crown, and rightly so, but fans of Ireland, England and Wales should be hugely encouraged by the form of their teams.
The Six Nations as a whole and especially Saturday’s frenzied points scoring finale will have rightly instilled confidence. Ireland and Wales showed coldblooded ruthlessness against Scotland and Italy, while England, with 157 total points, displayed their burgeoning attacking prowess under Stuart Lancaster.
Additionally, in eight Autumn internationals featuring the best three sides from each hemisphere, the scores were tied 4-4, with the northern hemisphere winning 186-183 on points.
Following a purposeful Six Nations and the fact the southern triumvirate travel north again in September, it’s likely that the gap will be similarly snug.
England and Wales have the toughest World Cup pool, but both can make the quarters and take advantage of an Australian side in transition.
One will have to face South Africa, most likely Wales, but after their win over the Springboks in the autumn the Dragons can torch them again.
Ireland’s path to glory should be straightforward, until a last four showdown with the All Blacks. The prospect of the north wrestling the World Cup from the grip of New Zealand is possible. It just depends whether the three teams believe that.
James Piercy, Deputy Editor, thinks No
The pieces are certainly falling into place for one of Ireland, England or Wales to have a real crack at the World Cup.
The Northern Hemisphere’s current ‘Big Three’ will be expected to go toe-to-toe with the powerhouse trio in the south having showcased all of their key attributes across their five games in the Six Nations.
Ireland’s pack, kicking ability and game management; Wales’ huge-tackling defence and awesome three-quarter barrage; England with an uncharacteristic free-flowing fluidity in midfield.
However, none of the three sides were able to do it with any great consistency, playing at least one off game, and revealing some glaring limitations as well as obvious strengths.
Wales remain a little too one-dimensional under Warren Gatland, Italy performance aside. It’s all in your face with big powerful carries and then their loose forwards playing on the shoulder.
England figured them out and if Ireland – outlining their own limitations – were a bit more cute and creativity in attack would have won in Cardiff. Likewise, the Red Rose displayed their inexperience in Dublin and even at Twickenham against Scotland and France, either failing to take their chances or showing an inability to play running rugby with any great security.
What happens to Ireland’s gameplan against the top sides if Sexton gets injured? Can Wales alter their approach against the awesome defensive units of New Zealand and South Africa?
Are England still a work in progress and can they handle the pressure of expectation? Evidence so far, under Stuart Lancaster, suggests no.
Which brings us onto the All Blacks and Springboks whose combined record in World Cups against the north’s top trio is one defeat in 12 matches.
They can match them in attack and defence, forwards, backs and goalkicking, each have a perfect blend of youth and experience, will be tournament-ready having just completed the Rugby Championship and simply know how to combat everything the north have to offer.
