Gray day as Richie ends stellar Glasgow stint in Stellenbosch

Back in the day it wouldn't have happened because there'd be a lot of quality backups floating around in club rugby. Now they're all playing professionally overseas.

Completely different to this example and what you're replying to, again.

He has also not chosen to switch allegiance nor has he been selected for any team that would force him to chose at this young age. I would even hope that in the next few years SR would change their eligibility slightly so that he wouldn't need to either.

If what you are replying to JT about is a factory then it is also a completely separate scenario to your kneejerk reaction.

I've seen chest-thumping from you around SA's win ratio, and you are literally criticising England based on their win ratio today, in the same comment as you credit me for realising that win ratios don't matter.

Yes, indeed. Because you are a good example of someone who has made a big deal about SAs win ratio between world cups. Now that England is scraping by at 50% (and SA is on 80%) you’re downplaying win ratios. Make up your mind.

In 2022 Eddie was coach, so the numbers you've shared show that the win ratio you care so much about has improved every year under Borthwick.

Wow. Looking great. 56%

England aren't the best team of all time.

We know.

but their results fall far short of that outside of world cups.

We’re outside of a World Cup. What’s your verdict on them now?

Bottom line - it’s going to be a tough November for England Finn.

England's attack was poor against New Zealand. It was good against Japan, because they gave Smith space to run, but the next most recent test started by Smith at 10 was the absolutely dire 1st test against Wales last summer. Before that was the terrible loss against France in the 2023 six nations.

Lets compare the points scored by England in the most recent tests started by Ford and Smith at 10 against each tier 1 side:

Ireland:

Smith 15, Ford 23

South Africa:

Smith 13, Ford 12

New Zealand:

Smith 17, Ford 19

France:

Smith 10, Ford 31

Argentina:

Smith 29, Ford 27

Scotland:

Smith 23, Ford 21

Italy:

Smith 33, Ford 27

Australia:

Smith 21, Ford 40

Wales:

Smith 9, Ford 16

Thats 5 matchups where Ford comes on top, and 4 where Smith does. The points average is 18.9 for Smith and 24 for Ford.

Looking just at matches against other top 5 sides, its 3 to 1 for Ford, and points averages of 13.8 for Smith and 21.3 for Ford.

We've established previously that you don't understand how the world rankings work. It isn't possible for easy matches to inflate your score, that isn't how its calculated.

I'm sorry you've had to "endure" people talking about win ratios. I don't know who was doing that or how it relates to this conversation. I've seen chest-thumping from you around SA's win ratio, and you are literally criticising England based on their win ratio today, in the same comment as you credit me for realising that win ratios don't matter. I guess its a case of pot-calling-the-kettle-black, where you're the pot and the kettle is imaginary.

Its strange you're so obsessed with win-ratios. Its also strange you don't know when Borthwick became England coach. In 2022 Eddie was coach, so the numbers you've shared show that the win ratio you care so much about has improved every year under Borthwick.

England aren't the best team of all time. SA players have announced that they believe they are the best team of all time, but their results fall far short of that outside of world cups. I want England to do better in world cups and in the years in between, but I'm not judging them against the 11-15 all blacks.

Sure I guess, but the facts are the facts, they were disgracefully awarded 7 points by bird brain Barnes & we lost by 2, ending our WC hopes. You can't tell me you & Irish supporters (well any supporters) that you'd have trouble accepting that.?