england Set Enterprising Course for 2027 Rugby World cup After Positive Momentum
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – England‘s rugby union team is refocusing its ambitions on the 2027 World Cup, buoyed by growing squad depth and renewed self-belief following a period of rebuilding. The team’s prospects received a lift as key players like Ollie Chessum and Tommy Freeman demonstrate promising recovery from injury and push for inclusion in upcoming squads. This comes amid concerns regarding the recent struggles of traditional rugby powerhouse New Zealand,potentially reshaping the global landscape of the sport.
The shift in focus follows a period of assessment and development,with captain Maro Itoje expressing confidence in the team’s potential for further growth. “We want to get better,” Itoje stated,highlighting the squad’s collective desire to “shatter some other glass ceilings” before the 2027 tournament. This ambition is underpinned by a favorable World Cup draw scheduled for December 3rd, contingent on a victory against Argentina this Sunday.
The current situation contrasts sharply with the challenges facing New Zealand, whose recent 43-10 defeat to South Africa in Wellington has raised questions about the team’s performance and the impact of a South African-free Super Rugby Pacific competition on national team strength. Recent results at the youth level – Australia Under-18s defeating NZ secondary schools twice in the past two months by a combined score of 130 points - further illustrate a decline. The potential fading of the All Blacks’ dominance is viewed as detrimental to the global appeal of rugby.
England’s renewed optimism is rooted in a growing sense of self-belief,echoing the spirit of exploration embodied by Sir Edmund hillary’s famous quote: “it is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” As the team looks ahead, the focus remains on continuous advancement and a relentless climb towards the summit of the game.
