NICK CAIN
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It is intriguing to see England being touted already as serious 2027 World Cup contenders on the back of their 2-0 series defeat this month in New Zealand. Here’s the reality check: England are almost always World Cup contenders, especially given a favourable draw, because they are generally among the half dozen biggest, strongest, and best-resourced rugby nations on the planet.
Yet, England’s record of turning their contender status into becoming champions of the world, or even of Europe, is nothing to shout about.
England have won the Worl...