It does not inevitably follow that Ireland, France and Wales will thrive simply because they have three home fixtures this season rather than two. The mathematics are equally compelling: in every post-Lions season since 1980 England have failed to win the Five or Six Nations. Imagine France v England in Barcelona’s Camp Nou; if the Tour de France can start in Yorkshire anything is surely possible. It really will be a grim day for northern hemisphere sport when, say, England v Wales or Ireland v Scotland generates little pre-match anticipation. Jones’s England may be resistant to Six Nations folklore but, year after year, it seriously motivates their enemies.

Source: The Guardian February 02, 2018 12:50 UTC