World Cup Cycle Nonsense

Not one kick in internationals has passed since the World Cup Final in Paris last November, and yet already the ‘new world cup cycle’ to 2027 is on everyone’s lips. And simply put, I hate it.

I get that the period after a World Cup is often a natural transitioning period, where big players see the end of their career and debutants are welcomed. This isn’t unusual, but a discussion centred on a tournament in four years’ time is pure neglect of the challenge right in front of you.

Theres a balance to be struck, with both selection and tone.

In every sport the balance of youth and experience is an age-old debate, and its often an interesting one. But in rugby, it is now framed in the distant vision of a four-year cycle. Building experience is vastly important but I plead, can teams just focus on controlling their destiny in the immediate future.

England under the newly appointed Eddie Jones in 2016 largely stuck with the same side that was unceremoniously knocked out of the World Cup 2015 three months before. And yet, in the very next tournament they won a Grand Slam and continued the winning streak to a record 17 on the bounce.

I will never forget the joyous victories of that period, and that Grand Slam is in the history books forever. Yet since then, England, Wales and Scotland especially have been mired by a world cup obsession, meaning they neglected short term focus for a long-term fantasy.

I agree short termism can go the other way, as Wales are seeing now with a void in experience and class after many retirements. But their Golden Generation between 2012-2022 achieved so many great things, four six nation titles with two grand slams. The same with Ireland and France winning the last two grand slams. But would their fans trade all those

memories in for one World Cup final appearance, definitely not.

The fans want Six Nations success, England haven’t tasted it for a long time, never mind a trophy. England’s last great win in the tournament was 2019 in Dublin. England haven’t won more than three games out of five in the tournament since 2021.

The Six Nations deserves more respect. Its about winning not developing. Pick a side to win now, rather than one that might win later.

Only the best coaches can find this balance. But winning is a habit, so maybe its an idea to start focussing on that.