CHRIS FOY’S VERDICT ON WEEK THREE

IT’S NO LONGER GRIM UP NORTH

THIS autumn confirms that the old north-south divide is being preserved by New Zealand alone. South Africa’s demolition of Italy cannot disguise the fact the Boks veer between average and dire, while Australia have suffered two heavy losses and Argentina are in freefall. England and Ireland are near the global summit and Scotland are rising fast.

JAPAN STING THE BLUES

GUY NOVES (left) is surely doomed as coach of shambolic France, but the flip-side of Saturday’s 23-23 draw between Les Bleus and Japan in Paris is the impact on the visitors and 2019 World Cup hosts. The Japan result should galvanise rugby interest in the Far East and yesterday’s announcement by Dan Carter that he is moving there will also boost the game too.

FIJI PUT BIG GUNS ON RED ALERT

AS IF Wales don’t have enough to ponder after another shattering loss to New Zealand, their World Cup Pool D is shaping up to be tense. Fiji maintained recent progress by thrashing Canada 57-17 in Narbonne, a week after coming close to a shock win over Ireland. Georgia also threatened to cause an upset in Cardiff, so both ‘minnows’ could trouble Wales and Australia.

SIZZLING SIX NATIONS IN STORE

THERE is destined to be huge intrigue when the Six Nations starts in February. England must be slight favourites for the championship again, given their winning pedigree over the last two years, but their mission to Edinburgh is now laced with danger, while Ireland will not fear coming to Twickenham. It will be a home nations title tussle, as France and Italy are write-offs at present.

TOWNSEND COULD STIR THE LIONS

GREGOR TOWNSEND (left) claimed after Scotland put Australia to the sword that Murrayfield has the best atmosphere of any Test ground in the world and it is hard to argue. But it is the stirring way his team are playing that has roused the crowd. Townsend turned down a minor role with the Lions last summer but he could earn the top job in 2021.