The world may feel like it's coming to an end, and it just might be with the political landslide that is Donald Trump becoming the 45th President of the United States, but don't give up just yet.
England's Autumn International series beckons, and with it comes great anticipation and expectation. Eddie Jones's scrupulous and physically challenging boot camp throughout October, although frowned upon by the majority of England's Premiership coaches, has prepared the squad for what will be a demanding set of test matches over the next month, and I for one cannot wait.
Let's take a look at the opposition.
South Africa
- Win record in 2016: 40% (10 matches played, 5 defeats, 4 wins and a draw).
- Their worst run of form for a decade, piling huge pressure on the squad and their coach Allister Coetzee.
- Unbeaten against England over the last 12 matches, a record that spans over 10 years.
South Africa are a dangerous team no matter what their form, and that is a fact. Eddie Jones and England know this and will be preparing for it as though it's a World Cup Final. They have established what seems like an impenetrable structure and will look to end this drought against the Springboks.
Fiji
- Win record in 2016: 66% (3 matches, 2 wins, and a loss).
- Fiji have proved themselves as the dominant force within the Pacific Islands, beating both Tonga and Samoa this year, but will face a far tougher test when they meet England at Twickenham.
- Fiji have faced England 6 times in their history, losing all of them; ominous statistics for any visiting nation but they will be relentless as ever.
Fiji showed what a dangerous side they can be in last year's World Cup, pushing England, Wales and Australia to the limit, and this test will be no exception.
Fiji will give it their all and it's up to England to match them and stamp their authority.
Argentina
- Win record in 2016: 40% (10 matches, 6 losses, and 4 wins).
- Reached the Semi-Finals of last year's World Cup, further cementing themselves as one of World Rugby's top national sides.
- Without a win against England in their last 5 matches, spanning over 7 years; they have won only once at Twickenham, 10 years ago.
Argentina's presence in the relatively new Rugby Championship is beginning to pay off; they recorded their first win against South Africa away from home soil for the first time last year and are establishing themselves as more than just a participatory nation.
England will have to be ready for what will inevitably be a physical encounter.
Australia
- Win record in 2016: 30% (10 matches, 7 losses, and 3 wins).
- Reached the Final of last year's World Cup, knocking out England convincingly 33-13 along the way, and looked to be back to their best.
- Lost a series whitewash to England in June this year, 3-0, and looked out of sorts throughout their Rugby Championship campaign.
England is Australia's team they 'love to hate', and nothing would please them more than to come to Twickenham and revenge what was a humiliating series catastrophe.
Similarly to South Africa, their form is wayward, but underestimate them at your peril. Eddie Jones, more than anyone, knows the threat the Wallabies pose and it'll be up to him to extinguish it.
England's Focus
England are undoubtedly the favourites for all four of their Autumn Internationals, however, damaging injuries to the likes of Maro Itoje and Anthony Watson will have altered the squad dynamic. England's focus has to be around the upfront battle and establishing supremacy at the breakdown and set-piece; if they can establish control in these areas they have more than enough quality to punish the opposition. England have demonstrated such an impressive ability to execute the basics under Eddie Jones, and fundamentally this is where the victories will come from.
