The Cricket World Cup probably came at a very good time for the rugby forces up north. It's not that Kiwis, Aussies and South Africans completely ignored what was going on in this this year's Six Nations Championship, but it came and went without much comment. hat would have suited the powers that be up there just fine. Yes, they're justifiably irked at times by this part of the world's often arrogant and short-sighted views on the brand of football played up there - and reluctance to rate it - but in aSo what happened while you were sleeping? Well, while Brendon McCullum was blasting sixes into the stands, the evergreen was Paul O'Connell was soaring high in the Irish lineout to to lead his side to back-to-back Six Nations titles. Yep, two in a row for Ireland, it's been a long time since that happened. That Ireland only took the title on points points difference, however, showed just how competitive Europe's main event was this year. England were a collapsed maul from taking the title while Wales were left to rue one bad half of rugby against their Saxon neighbours. And France? Well, they learned to run the ball again, even if it took theSo with all that in mind here's what I think is a fair reflection of the how the teams should stack up with bookmakers less than six months out from the Rugby World Cup.
1. NEW ZEALAND
The best, pure and simple. They will arrive in England with the best squad of players, and will leave with it too, but whether or not the title of world champions will travel back with them is a lot more uncertain now than it was two years ago. South Africa and England have beaten them in the interim, while Ireland and Australia pushed them to the brink. Knock out rugby is a cruel beast and there will be no home support this time out. A few losses in the Rugby Championship might be no harm to get the cobwebs out because they'll face a lot more firepower in this World Cup than they did four years ago. A likely quarterfinal with either France or Ireland is nothing for the Kiwis to relish. No other team can unsettle the All Blacks like France, while Ireland, at last, seem to know they have the beating of this New Zealand side in them.
2. ENGLAND
Why not Ireland, aren't they the back-to-back European champions? Ireland may be the champions but England will have learned the most after missing out on another Six Nations title. Also you get the feeling something special is about to click. That they managed to put up 50 plus points against the French (when they needed to win my 26 to snatch the trophy from Ireland) showed they could be much more than "boring old England". In George Ford they have a genuinely classy playmaker while Jonathan Joseph is perhaps the most frightening back in world rugby just now. Add in Mike Brown and Luther Burrell to the mix and you have potency to match the best. Their forwards do what forwards do, but none do it better.
3. SOUTH AFRICA
Hard to ever rule the Springboks out of anything but they only just edge Ireland for third. They get the nod by virtue of the fact they're South Africa. A Springbok unit in the classic mould, their forwards will be typically robust and bruising but the team may lack guidance on attack, especially if captain Jean de Villers fails to recover in time from the horrific knee injury he suffered in the Springboks' loss to Wales in November. Coach Heyneke Meyer also fails to inspire. There's no doubting his likeability, he - like de Villiers - seems a true gent of the game, but also seems easily outfoxed. See Joe Schmidt's masterminding of Ireland's win over South Africa for details.
4. IRELAND
Never been to a semifinal but records are there to be broken. Before French billionaires decided they didn't like the Irish winning European Cups (and opened their wallets), Ireland ruled the roost in club rugby up north. Yes, a few imports like Doug Howlett, Rocky Elsom, Brad Thorn and Ruan Pienaar were highly influential in the successes of Munster, Leinster and Ulster, but it was local lads playing for their local team that drove it. The Irish Rugby Union's decision years ago to centrally contract their players meant the stars stayed at home. Johnny Sexton went to Racing Metro but even he's returning. With that the Irish national team has flourished under Joe Schmidt who's managed to merge the best from Ireland's four provinces, a feat previous coaches failed to do. Since they lost at the death to New Zealand in November 2013 they've won back-to-back Six Nations titles, beaten the Springboks and Wallabies back-to-back and only lost away to England and Wales by margins of three and six points. That's some form.
5. WALES
As much as Warren Gatland gets a bad rap from the UK press, you only have to look at his record to see he breeds success. He was the coach that started the Irish rejuvenation back in 2000 - before being unceremoniously shafted - he turned Wasps into a European force, led Wales to three Six Nations titles (including two Grand Slams) and coached a successful British and Irish Lions squad. Gatland's teams win. Wales could have capitulated after losing their opening game to England in this year's Six Nations but held on for a gritty win in Edinburgh before sacking Paris a week later. They denied Ireland a Grand Slam at home through sheer bravery and cuteness, while their 60-point haul against Italy almost landed them the title. Along with England and Ireland, a standout side from Europe.
6. AUSTRALIA
Recent form would suggest this could be the hardest World Cup campaign yet for the Wallabies, especially given they're in a group with England and Wales, both of whom will expect to beat them. The Welsh have a shocking record against the Wallabies but have never been more than a score behind them of late, and you sense they're due a big one against the Aussies. Michael Chieka had a baptism of fire in November, taking over unexpectedly after the Ewen McKenzie/Di Patston debacle but his side's comeback against Ireland highlighted just now dangerous they can be. They lost that match but scored the best tries of November. Australia also have probably the most naturally talented set of backs out of all the top sides. However, Stephen Moore and the back rowers aside, a complete lack of grunt in the tight-five to win them possession might well make that redundant.
7. FRANCE
Unlike with previous November international and Six Nations campaigns over the past four years, for this tournament France coach Philippe Saint-Andre will have full access to his players over a sustained period of time. Club-owning millionaires have shamefully ruled the roost in France of late but a well drilled, organised unit could arrive in England later this year. No team, including the All Blacks, plays off the cuff rugby better. If Saint-Andre entrusts his players with the freedom they so badly crave they could light up the tournament. They scored the best tries of the Six Nations against England. In the same match they shipped 50 plus points but they at least attacked with guile and innovation. Given the coaching team will have more time with the squad before the World Cup, defensive structures could be added to compliment their attack.
