Rugby Union’s autumn internationals have just ended, and what a month it has been. The matches saw the biggest teams of the southern hemisphere (Including South Africa and New Zealand) tour round Europe, playing match after match. The internationals were filled with expected wins and shocking loses, making it an incredibly enjoyable watch (unless of course you’re Welsh).
To no one’s surprise the team that seemed to come out on top were the Springboks. Representing South Africa, the Springboks have been dominating rugby in recent years. They are the current world champions and currently ranked the best in the world. They have won the world cup for the past two tournaments and are the only 4-time winners. Led by Siya Kolisi, the Springboks are one of the most revered teams in the world, which also makes them the most hated on (unless of course you’re South African). The autumn internationals have only further solidified their status, winning all three of their matches. The only other country to do so in this tournament were the French, winning all of their games, including against the All Blacks. The French team has had a great few years in rugby, currently ranked 4th in the world, and making it to the quarter finals of last year’s world cup. They are definitely ones to look out for in the six nations tournament next year.
On the other side of the scale these matches have also shown some major loses. The Welsh team in particular has felt these loses the hardest. The team lost all three of their matches, including the at home match against Fiji, which is the first time they have been Wales in this way. The Welsh rugby team currently sits at 11th in the rankings, the lowest it has been since the creation of the world rankings in 2003. The team are also on their highest ever losing streak, at twelve consecutive losses. While Wales is regarded as one of the best rugby teams in the world, feelings could soon change if they continue this performance in upcoming matches.
While Wales is regarded as one of the best rugby teams in the world, feelings could soon change if they continue this performance in upcoming matches.
The English team unfortunately didn’t do much better, only winning one out of their four matches. Although in most of their games they only fell a few points away from victory. The team, currently ranked 7th in the world, are set to compete in the six nations starting in January. England have not won the competition since 2020, and their current odds are set at 7/2. However, fans are remaining hopeful that the team will push through and start coming home with some successes. While the official squad has not been announced yet, it’s likely we are to see very familiar faces.
On a more positive note for Britain, the Scottish team seemed to pull through, winning 3 out of 4 of their games, only losing to the Springboks. As we are now just under two months away from the six nations tournament, there will be a lot of questions surrounding the UK teams. Will Ireland hold onto their title? Will Wales free themselves from their current streak and remind the world that they are a top team? Will England be able to grab onto a win? One of the most exciting parts of rugby is that anything can happen on the day. We’ve got a few months to find out the fate of the teams, before we watch the 2025 season kick off.
