Scotland loss, sadly, could be good for ABs

England’s stunning revival under coach Eddie Jones is the best thing to happen to international rugby for years.

Most of New Zealand and probably three-quarters — maybe even all — of the world will be willing Scotland to beat England at Twickenham next week to prevent the latter equalling the All Blacks’ world record of 18 consecutive victories.

There’s plenty of reasons for that. There’s the Braveheart thing, the love of the underdog, particularly Celts, and the desire to see them have their day. There’s the default global dislike of England’s sports teams — it’s ingrained and beyond reason but it is real. And then there is the simple business of not wanting another side to be seen to be as good as the All Blacks.

It will feel, while it’s not really the case at all, that if England win their 18th consecutive test it will be them and not the All Blacks who will be seen as the game’s most dominant force.

But an England victory — if it comes — should be embraced. Their stunning revival under coach Eddie Jones is the best thing to happen to international rugby for years. They are making life interesting on multiple fronts.

The All Blacks need a genuine threat — an external force that gives their intrinsic desire to be constantly better a tangible focus. What better motivation to keep evolving and developing than to see England scorch past their 18-test landmark?

If England go on to win 19 in a row, the challenge for the All Blacks becomes to win 20. England, obviously, are a threat to the All Blacks’ No 1 standing, but that, in a curious way, also make them an opportunity, too.

An opportunity for the All Blacks to ask themselves how hard they are willing to work? Can they match England for sheer will power, because it was commitment and belief that enabled the latter to squeeze past France and Wales in recent weeks?

Can the All Blacks match England’s physicality? Can they keep finding ways to sharpen their attack? These are questions the All Blacks ask all the time, but with another team breathing down their neck, delivering definitive answers on the field — well, it sharpens everyone’s desire and focus.

There are other good reasons why England are worth cheering on. They are filling the hole left by South Africa and to a lesser extent Australia. The former were a travesty last year and having decided to continue with coach Allister Coetzee, it is hard to see them being much better this year.

The Wallabies still don’t have the ability to consistently perform and it felt like the All Blacks weren’t really pushed throughout the Rugby Championship last year. It was all too easy and life only got really tough for the All Blacks when they played Ireland and France.

England look to be up another level again and who doesn’t want to see the All Blacks taken to their limits or even beyond trying to find a way to beat a team who are their equals?