Borthwick called up a total of 40 players across the series – 22 forwards and 18 backs – and 31 were subsequently selected in an England match day 23.
Italy were hammered by New Zealand at RWC23, but Dino Lamb says there is ‘no bigger opportunity’ to face ‘the best’.
Lock Emmanuel Meafou insists France have moved on from the heartbreak of last year’s Rugby World Cup exit as they set their sights on 2027. Les Bleus suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit, which brought an end to the nation’s hopes of World Cup glory on home soil.
Before the sport’s showpiece event got underway in early September, France were widely considered one of the favourites to challenge for the top prize. Antoine Dupont led the charge as the team’s captain, with Les Bleus boasting world-class talent across the board.
France started their pursuit of the Webb Ellis Cup with a statement 27-13 win over New Zealand at Stade de France, which was the All Blacks’ first-ever loss in pool play. Les Bleus remained unbeaten until the quarter-finals where they were met by the colossus that is the Springboks.
Match Summary 
Winger Cheslin Kolbe charged down a conversion attempt from Thomas Ramos’ which caught fans by surprise at the time, and has since turned into one of the more iconic moments from South Africa’s run to a second successive World Cup crown. They won that match 29-28.
It’s been about 13 months and one week since that all-time classic World Cup eliminator, and while history can’t be rewritten, France have taken the lessons and moved on. On Friday, France completed a clean sweep of wins in the Autumn Nations Series with a 27-13 win over Argentina.
“As a team, the inexperience that we’ve had and throughout this tournament being able to play the boys wherever they are and whatever position, and just being able to adapt from zero to 80 minutes,” Meafou said on the post-game broadcast.
“Credit to the staff and all the players but I think it’s a team effort and it’s showing. We’ve got three wins from three and we’ll continue to build that into Six Nations next year.
“We’re over last World Cup and our sights are on the next World Cup,” he added.
“We’ve got our sights for that World Cup but it starts with these next few Tests in the Six Nations and we’ll take the three wins that we’ve had this November and we’ll celebrate that.”
France have completed a clean sweep in their Autumn Nations Series Tests after knocking off a valiant Argentina side.
France’s clinical win over Argentina follows their dominant win over Eddie Jones’ Japan and a nerve-wracking victory against Scott Robertson’s All Blacks. They’re three from three in November, which brings a supremely positive end to their international calendar year.
Antoine Dupont was once again among the standouts for Les Bleus as they shot out of the blocks with an early try to Thibaud Flament. Flyhalf Thomas Ramos was accurate off the kicking tee once again as the hosts took a 13-6 lead midway through the first term.
Right winger Gabin Villiere scored a five-pointer in the 32nd minute, and the man on the left edge Louis Bielle-Biarrey came within inches of scoring a couple of minutes later before a penalty try was awarded in France’s favour.
Bielle-Biarrey would score later on in the match after showcasing his elite quickness with a grubber kick and chase in the 57th minute. France led 37-16, and while they didn’t score in the final quarter of play, their defence did enough to keep Los Pumas at bay.
“We knew it was going to be an 80-minute game,” Meafou reflected at the stage of the interview.
“We saw last week how they went full 80 with a solid Irish team so we knew it was going to be hard defensively and even in attack.
“We knew we’re gonna have to front up but we’re happy with the win and we’ll go enjoy a bit of time off before we head back to club rugby.”
Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now
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Italy were hammered by New Zealand at RWC23, but Dino Lamb says there is ‘no bigger opportunity’ to face ‘the best’.
No one is expecting Wales to beat South Africa but the performance will go a long way to proving Gatland retains the faith of his players
The Irishman’s abrupt departure left his players reeling and confused about their new rearguard action.
Normally you could say the 'unstable environment' line and have it not mean anything when your departure is immediate, it is just something to say as an excuse or accepted reason that avoids saying the truth, but when you know that exit is 12 months away from your notice it really has to mean something.
The fact that he is continuing on though leads you to believe it is not within the coaching setup but within the wider team or company environment. Now way would SB endure whats happening unless he though Felix's contribution would outweigh it.
Normally you could say the 'unstable environment' line and have it not mean anything when your departure is immediate, it is just something to say as an excuse or accepted reason that avoids saying the truth, but when you know that exit is 12 months away from your notice it really has to mean something.
The fact that he is continuing on though leads you to believe it is not within the coaching setup but within the wider team or company environment. Now way would SB endure whats happening unless he though Felix's contribution would outweigh it.
The difference at the International level is your world class players.
But obviously the back row is a strength, it is just in the tight that it's very unusual to not have players (or coachs) coming through!?!
The difference at the International level is your world class players.
But obviously the back row is a strength, it is just in the tight that it's very unusual to not have players (or coachs) coming through!?!
Good to hear some positivity/defence of the naysayers nc!
Good to hear some positivity/defence of the naysayers nc!
How can they not have the coaches to fix the issue? There's been a lot of talk about how their is a coaching drain in Australia but even they have the coach's to fix the issue (well in my opinion England are just as good as them) how can England also not have those pathways?
Perhaps if England do get into a similar tricky spot as Aus did then some good names will be putting their hand up?
How can they not have the coaches to fix the issue? There's been a lot of talk about how their is a coaching drain in Australia but even they have the coach's to fix the issue (well in my opinion England are just as good as them) how can England also not have those pathways?
Perhaps if England do get into a similar tricky spot as Aus did then some good names will be putting their hand up?
You aren't a Saffa boet.
If you can't see the difference in opponents then that's your problem.
I'm happy to play the long game and wait for another 6N thanks ;p
If you can't see the difference in opponents then that's your problem.
I'm happy to play the long game and wait for another 6N thanks ;p
Forgive me for collecting everyone else along with Nick. His saying, not mine 😉
Forgive me for collecting everyone else along with Nick. His saying, not mine 😉
Think Argies are developing a little more consistency than that but they don't really go well in conditions that hinder their offload game.
Think Argies are developing a little more consistency than that but they don't really go well in conditions that hinder their offload game.
Hey, what can I say, where you're so good you get things right I guess you can be arrogant?
Double carded Argentina doing the same job as a the old french 14 point try this morning? ✅
Hey, what can I say, where you're so good you get things right I guess you can be arrogant?
Double carded Argentina doing the same job as a the old french 14 point try this morning? ✅
Italy have no chance. Love the team, but no. All Blacks just but out a 95% strength squad, which is pretty much the same squad that beat England, Ireland decisively, and narrowly lost to France. The only reason Italy weren't wooden spoon holders this season is because Wales exists.
Italy have no chance. Love the team, but no. All Blacks just but out a 95% strength squad, which is pretty much the same squad that beat England, Ireland decisively, and narrowly lost to France. The only reason Italy weren't wooden spoon holders this season is because Wales exists.
No way you can drop the Landers! One team for the whole SI??? Where are you from, Wellington?
5 team conferences make the conferences more competitive, more games, and thus more viewership.
I was thinking that there would be 0 competition between teams outside of conferences, until the knockout stages. A bit like Champions League, and promotion/relegation from these conferences once financial stability is there.
No way you can drop the Landers! One team for the whole SI??? Where are you from, Wellington?
5 team conferences make the conferences more competitive, more games, and thus more viewership.
I was thinking that there would be 0 competition between teams outside of conferences, until the knockout stages. A bit like Champions League, and promotion/relegation from these conferences once financial stability is there.
Nah, they'll probably play Scotland and lose
Nah, they'll probably play Scotland and lose
The Aussies? Their as much lapdogs as we are!
Keep in mind a part of your country still belongs to the Crown, which is worse than having their flag on ours. Lmk when your country is whole.
The Aussies? Their as much lapdogs as we are!
Keep in mind a part of your country still belongs to the Crown, which is worse than having their flag on ours. Lmk when your country is whole.
Donaldson OK again but still the one spot I think that could do with improvement that backup playmaker (or do without if Suaalii can cover 10!).
Donaldson OK again but still the one spot I think that could do with improvement that backup playmaker (or do without if Suaalii can cover 10!).
More important though, thinking about it, I could easily seem him pushing Barrett to the bench based on performances. It's Vern Cotter, he's going to hard Plummer the 10 jersey to lose.
Plummer has been and is a battler and after a run of 5-6 good games is being treated as a star at Clermont. I'd probably bank on living well off that one good month of footy I had myself too.
More important though, thinking about it, I could easily seem him pushing Barrett to the bench based on performances. It's Vern Cotter, he's going to hard Plummer the 10 jersey to lose.
Plummer has been and is a battler and after a run of 5-6 good games is being treated as a star at Clermont. I'd probably bank on living well off that one good month of footy I had myself too.
Well Hamish.. has this article been two decades in the making?
It's all very typical indeed. But hey, half of our season is NPC and getting to watch these guys for those 5-6 years of development play at an entertaining level. So a glass half empty article to me, but worth repeating perhaps.
Well Hamish.. has this article been two decades in the making?
It's all very typical indeed. But hey, half of our season is NPC and getting to watch these guys for those 5-6 years of development play at an entertaining level. So a glass half empty article to me, but worth repeating perhaps.
Joe Schmidt's talking is always a pleasure to listen, or read. And that O'Aki nickname… 🤣
Joe Schmidt's talking is always a pleasure to listen, or read. And that O'Aki nickname… 🤣
He's certainly not as proven as Havili but I have liked his form at both 12 and 13 more than I've seen from Havili when he was last playing (which was well over a year ago since he's had a good run).
He's certainly not as proven as Havili but I have liked his form at both 12 and 13 more than I've seen from Havili when he was last playing (which was well over a year ago since he's had a good run).
Yeah Barrett started as Razor's 23 man and I'm not really sure why that changed. It was a good fit.
My only thought is that they are taking it easy on Dmac as he's supposedly going to the Top 14 after this, so having no off season before coming back again in July.
Yeah Barrett started as Razor's 23 man and I'm not really sure why that changed. It was a good fit.
My only thought is that they are taking it easy on Dmac as he's supposedly going to the Top 14 after this, so having no off season before coming back again in July.
It's not a nuetral venue like last year thats for sure!
It's not a nuetral venue like last year thats for sure!
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