England ‘would beat All Blacks’

A former Scottish international says the standard of Champions Cup rugby in England is ‘through the roof’ and believes England would knock over the All Blacks if the two met this year.

Jim Hamilton, a former Scotland lock who played 63 tests, told Radio Sport the England team have built well and are now the in-form team in the world.

‘‘I think England would win. I think that the players England have got now and I’m saying this more on a superficial level because I haven’t seen enough Super Rugby to comment on the standard, the Champions Cup rugby that the likes of Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, the level they’ve been playing is through the roof in terms of intensity and in terms of class,’’ he told Radio Sport.

‘‘The England team are just going from strength to strength and I think if they played in the autumn, I wouldn’t say they’d definitely win but I’d say if they were to play this is probably their best chance to win.

‘‘It would be interesting to see in a year’s time where New Zealand are as a team. England will be better again. Hopefully New Zealand will be better again and it would make for an unbelievable game. But I think if they were to play this autumn, I think England are probably the form team in the world.’’

England have lost just one game since the last Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks head to the United Kingdom on the end of year tour but will not play England.

Hamilton was pleased for rugby’s sake that Australia beat the All Blacks in Brisbane last Saturday.