A look at the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup and who the potential winners of this first-time tournament could be.
The competition to date has been a fascinating one, rolling on from the finale of the Six Nations and including the new sides in Georgia and Fiji. Unfortunately, both of the newcomers are looking likely to finish the tournament winless, which for varying reasons will be a huge disappoint.
As we enter the final round, one thing is clear, although there are several possible results, there are some 1 euro deposit casino permutations decidedly more likely than others…
In Group B, Scotland would be playing Fiji first this Saturday, but with a number of Fijian players still suffering from the most recent in-camp COVID outbreak, the game has been abandoned. The Autumn Nations Cup committee have stepped in once again and cancelled their third fixture in a row, awarding Scotland with a bonus point 28-0 victory.
This ‘win’ has left Scotland top of Group B currently, but with no fixture for them this weekend, the conclusion of the Pool is out of their hands, meaning France could leapfrog them with a win of their own over Italy on Saturday.
Fabien Galthie will be sending out a new look France squad to face Italy in Paris, with Baptiste Serin captaining the side for a first time. In total there are 13 changes to the French side that beat Scotland last weekend, reflecting the perceived threat level posed by the Italians who have lost two big ball carrying back row forwards Seb Negri and Jake Polledri due to injuries.
With France likely to take at least 4 points from their final Pool game against the Azzurri, they would secure top spot and a place in the final in a week’s time, along with the winners of Group A.
England currently lead Group A on nine points after they coasted past Georgia in poor weather conditions and battled against a stubborn Ireland side to victory. They are the only side to have won 2 from 2 in Group A, and with facing an underpowered Wales side this Saturday you’d expect them to make that 3 from 3.
It’s asking a little too much of Wales not only to beat England, but to turn around a -5 points difference on England’s +58. If England were to lose, Ireland would need a very healthy score line of +39 against Georgia, that’s providing England finish their Wales encounter without scoring.
With that being said it would be a safe bet to say that England will reach the final of the Cup, which ends on Sunday 6th at Twickenham.
The Final
France are in the lucky position where they are able to rest a number of big names this weekend, with their sights firmly set on the finals next weekend. A rest week for the X-Factor French players will be a welcome break from their heavy recent Six Nations and continued Top 14 playing schedule.
England will be playing at the ‘home of English rugby’ in Twickenham and with the restrictions on spectators recently lifted somewhat, there will be a crowd of around 4,000 fans, friends and family to cheer them on.
As for the game itself, England’s recent form in this tournament has been impressive, but they suffered two defeats in the 2020 Six Nations. Those 2 defeats, to France and Wales happened over 8 months ago, which could prove to be a powerful motivational influence in the final.
France’s game plan has been invigorated defensively which can be attributed to the arrival of Shaun Edwards into their coaching staff. They’ve always had plenty of attacking threats throughout their side, but that can now be paired with an organisation in defense which we haven’t seen from them in a number of years.
Whatever happens in the final, it will be a close one. All things considered, England might just have enough at home to squeeze out a win and lift the first Autumn Nations Cup.
