Autumn Cubs, Summer Lions?

How ironic that a decision by the Welsh Rugby Union to swell their coffers by adding an additional fixture to their schedule could now end up costing them a fortune.

Lose Saturday’s game to Australia and Wales will be consigned to tier three of the World Cup draw next Monday having entered the November series of games with aspirations of a place in the top tier along with New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

With Samoa and Argentina only separated by one hundredth of a ranking point at present, both nations will be praying for an Australian win as that will secure their places in the second tier at the expense of the Welsh. Only six months ago, Wales looked realistic challengers for the Webb Ellis trophy itself after making the semi-final in New Zealand and following up that magnificent showing by capturing a Grand Slam. It has all gone horribly wrong since, however, with six straight test defeats and some really poor showings from their regional sides in the Heineken Cup. If Ireland were under pressure going into last Saturday’s game against Argentina — and you wouldn’t have thought so given the way they performed — then the pressure on Warren Garland’s men in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday will be even more intense.