Before the start of the Six Nations this month, Ireland were regarded as Europe’s prime challengers in the World Cup. The rubbish referred to the lack of space either side manufactured with the ball in hand, but matches in the knockout stage of a World Cup can be just as claustrophobic. Wales are regarded as an outside bet for the World Cup despite a run of 12 successive victories, but they are not a side anyone will be anxious to meet in the later stages of the World Cup, as Sir Clive Woodward remarked at the weekend. Photograph: Aled Llywelyn/Huw Evans/Rex/ShutterstockJones has hardly been a failure, but he will be judged on the World Cup. There is little to separate Ireland, England and Wales who are all capable of beating each other home or away.

Source: The Guardian February 28, 2019 11:31 UTC