ENGLISH WRITER’S OPINION

Evening Star, Issue 22192, 21 November 1935, Page 4

ENGLISH WRITER’S OPINION

FIRST INTERNATIONAL CLASH MARGIN SMALL EITHER WAY In a little over a month’s time the first international Rugby Union match of the season, between Scotland and New Zealand, is due, and from then until the third week of March trial matches and internationals—there are 10 of the latter this season—will engage chief attention. Thus writes J. Jordan in the ‘ Daily Mail ’ of October 18. The South of Scotland match against New Zealand last week and Wednesday’s Combined Cities affair have no doubt given the Scottish selectors a pretty shrewd l idea of whom they are going to call upon to represent their country. Although the New Zealanders won both these matches, they had very little to spare, a penalty goal being the decisive factor in each case. CHAMPION - COUNTRY. In neither match were the New Zealanders at all convincing, so it is small wonder that Scotland’s supporters are confident that a blend of those splendid Border forwards with the Cities’ backs, reinforced by the Cambridge captain, K. C. Pyfe, will win the day On November 23. Ireland l , champion country of last season for the first time for 36 years, are in the happy position of being able to rely upon practically the whole of that fine team. J. Russell, one of the best forwards who have ever worn the green jersey, has retired from the game to‘which he became a convert only about five years ago from the Gaelic form of football. Bub Ireland can always rely upon producing first-rate forwards, and there is no doubt their pack, who give no quarter and ask for none, will severely test J. E. Manchester and his fellow New Zealanders when they meet in Dublin on December 7. The young Irish outside's must have gained in valuable experience from last season, and if their combination in attack is not up to the best Welsh or Varsity standard, it lacks nothing in sheer thrust, while the defence is magnificent. NEW ERA FOR WALES. Swansea’s great victory over the New Zealanders has led Welshmen to hope that a new era has dawned for them and the glories of their wonderful past will be revived. Even if that be rather too optimistic a view to take, the ract remains that Wales’ chance of winning at Cardiff on December 21 are of the brightest. The youthful Swansea halves, W. T. H. Davies and H. Tanner, won their spurs against the New Zealanders, W. Wooller is the finest centre of the day. and with such as C. Davey, J. Idwal Rees, C. W. Jones, and A. Bassett to choose from, and V. G. J. Jenkins at full-back, Wales indeed are lucky. Their fate will depend upon the choice of forwards their selectors make. GOOD PACK. England’s prospects at the ’ moment are vamie. With so wide an area to cover the Selection Committee have not yet seen half the possible candidates for caps, while P. Cranmer, the best three-quarter of last year, has, owing to an injury at cricket, not yet turned out. Neither has J. R. Auty, who was at stand-off against Scotland and who is recovering from a bad illness. England should hot have a great deal of difficulty in fielding a good pack of forwards, and B. C. Gadney and J. L. Giles are both able scrum halves. But wings of real pace are scarce, and although it would be an exaggeration to state that stand-off halves do not exist, a top-class one is certainly a vara avis. As for the New Zealanders, they themselves do not know yet which combination is their best. Injuries have played havoc with their team building, and until they really ‘I find themselves ” their full capabilities must remain an unknown quantity. But of one thing we may be quite sure. They will rise to the occasion in the international matches, and if luck is with them they may win them all. But I do not think so, and my prediction is two out of the four.