For both England and Wales the road to the Rugby World Cup has been an unusually potholed and winding one. Nine months ago they were under the command of head coaches who are no longer in charge and any semblance of a smooth build-up vanished a long time ago. It gives Saturday’s opening warm-up Test in Cardiff slightly more resonance than might have been the case.
The good news is both Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland usually respond well under pressure. The latter has proved himself a master at stitching together competitive Lions sides in a matter of weeks while people often overlook the former’s role in one of rugby’s greatest miracles. As forwards coach of the Japan team who beat South Africa on the opening weekend of the 2015 World Cup, he knows a little bit about pre-tournament preparation.
