WITH two weekends to go before the start of the yearly internationals in the northern hemisphere, injuries have again cropped up to cause concern for some of the teams with the World Cup in Japan to begin in a year’s time.
That isn’t much time if you’re a coach looking for depth and combinations, although it cannot be disputed that it’s how a team actually performs at the tournament itself that ultimately matters.
England has probably the toughest fixtures, which apart from playing Japan in the third week, also faces the big three from the south – the Springboks, All Blacks and the Wallabies. Incidentally it is also the team with the most number of injuries and other issues to contend with.
Out for the entire campaign are No. 8 Billy Vunipola and fellow backrowers Chris Robshaw and Sam Simmonds, lock Joe Launchbury and possibly Billy’s brother Mako. Another No. 8, Nathan Hughes, will only be available for the last Test against Australia after having a four-week ban extended by two weeks. Hughes was given the first ban for punching an opponent in a recent game but had two weeks added to it after he tweeted to mock the original punishment. He also stands to lose match fees totalling 50,000 pounds Sterling.
In addition, prop Joe Marler has quit international rugby, thus putting more pressure on the coaches regarding the loosehead prop options.
The national union has told coach Eddie Jones that the results will be on watch after the team went through a poor run beginning with the last Six Nations, winning only one of its last six Tests but Jones recently remarked that all these matches leading to RWC 2019 are mere sparring sessions and may not affect how a team plays in Japan.
In France the good news is that backs Camille Lopez and Antoine Dupont are available after long-term injuries and have been named by coach Jacques Brunel in the 31-man squad. Also recalled from a ban imposed in February following a night of fun after a Six Nations game in Scotland is veteran No. 8 Louis Picamoles. If they play as well as they did in the June Tests against the All Blacks, the French should be up with the favourites in the RWC knockout stages. Their Tests in November will be against the Springboks, Pumas and Fiji.
Wales, who plays Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa, will definitely be without No. 8 Taulupe Faletau who recently broke his arm while centre Scott Williams, even if he recovers early, could be available only for the last match. Others out injured include flanker Josh Navidi and Hallam Amos but may feature in the latter parts of November.
Ireland looks alright so far as they prepare to play Italy in the second match of a triple header at Chicago’s Soldier Field Stadium on November 3. The opening game will be between the world champion Silver Ferns of New Zealand against the USA Women’s Eagles while the final game will be between the United States and the Maori All Blacks.
Ireland is one of the favourites to win the World Cup and hosts the Pumas and the All Blacks in what should be a cracker of a game in Dublin on November 17 and closes its November itinerary with a game against the US.
Two of the northern teams that will hope to achieve the results to prove their consistency are Wales and Scotland, especially the latter following a particularly memorable year so far.
The one player Scotland will surely miss is star fullback Stuart Hogg who late last month had surgery on his ankle and is likely to be out of the game for 10 weeks but one player – Kiwi Blade Thomson – is hoping that he will be able to impress the selectors enough to earn a place in the final squad.
The 27-year-old former New Zealand Under-20, Maori All Blacks and Hurricanes player qualifies via his paternal grandfather.
This November is also a special month for Japan as it gets to host the All Blacks in Tokyo on November 3 followed by a Test against another big gun – England – at Twickenham on November 17.
Rugby fans in Japan will also have the opportunity to watch the All Blacks play the Wallabies in Bledisloe 3 at the Yokohama Stadium on October 27.