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England 2014 Six Nations victors 2 views 0 Images
05 December 2013 by Englandfan
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With the culmination of the 2013 Autumn Internationals, England coach Stuart Lancaster now turns his head towards next year’s Six Nations. England have not won the Six Nations since 2011 but following their successful Autumn Internationals, Bet365 pundits have suggested that anything bar victory in 2014 has to be considered a failure.
England had one hand on the Championship Trophy last year before been thumped by Wales in what was the deciding fixture. However, this time around England should reign supreme; they competed with a relatively inexperienced squad at 2013 tournament with a cap average of 16, when they compete next time their squad will have an average of 20.
Although an increase of four sounds minimal, when you factor in that those caps came against high calibre opposition like New Zealand and Australia it will actually prove decisive.
Bet365 price England as 9/4 second favourites after Wales, but while England are happy that their squad are getting older, for the Welsh the natural aging process is detrimental. The England squad of the Autumn Internationals contained just two over-30s, in comparison the Welsh side contained six and come the Six Nations there will be three more Welsh players turning 30.
Although it is an assumption, one would conclude that a younger team in such a physically demanding sport would fare better than an aging side. You would presume that the conditioning of the England players will be better than that of the Welsh and it is natural that younger players’ bodies can take far more toil than that of veterans.
England proved their Six Nation credentials in the Autumn Internationals by beating Australia 20-13 and going down to an ardent 22-30 defeat to New Zealand. If Stuart Lancaster’s side can reproduce these performances in February then they should capture the Championship and it wouldn’t be surprising if they do the Grand Slam.
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