RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19107, 28 February 1924, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

THE IN’IERNATIONALS. ENGLAND AGAIN LEADING. In the 1923-24 series of international Rugby contests, up to February 9, England, "who won all her . matches last year and the championship, is so far unbeaten. With France'"and Gotland to meet yet, is appears likely that the Mother Country will retain the championship, which she wrested from Wales last year. The record of the matches played to date is as follows: —France beat Scotland, 14 10; England beat Wales, 17 —9; and Ire land, 14 —3; Ireland beat France, 6—o; Scotland beat Wales, 35—10. The champiership table reads: — Pis. Pts.

P. W. L. for. agst. England ... 2 / 2 0 51 12 Scotland ... 2 1 1 45 24 Fiarce ... 2 1 1 14 16 Ireland ... ?• 1 1 9 14 Wales ... 2 0 2 19 52 The outstanding feature of the season is the heavy defeats suffered by Wales. Last season, when England defected Wales by 7 to 3 at Twickenham, there were 41.500 persons present—a record for thet ground. Prior to the 1909-10 season, England had not won the championship for 18 years, but subsequently she won it four times, and tied twice. Scotland’s defeat at the hands of France is the third she has suffered at the hands of the French since they came into the internationals, in 1919-10. Until the 1919-20 season, Ireland had consistently defeated France, but France has won throe of the five matches played since. France has never yet ■ defeatc?d Wales; it will bo interesting, in view of the Welsh reversals to see how the Frenchmen fare against when they meet later in the season. England has yet to nteet Scotland, whom she has defeated in all games since 1912-13, and France, whom she has defeated 12 times, the remaining match being drawn, in the 1921-22 season, when the scores were 11 all. Scotland has to meet Ireland, whom she has beaten in the last two seasons, and Wales has to meet Ireland. _ who defeated her last year for the first* time since 1912-13. ■