Portugal prove that gallant defeat is preferable to England’s robotic rugby

There's been a concerted drive to change the narrative and level out rugby's playing field that has tilted the other way for too long. The minnows, increasingly, are minnows no longer.

TRY! Portugal's flanker Nicolas Martins dives over the line to score against Wales at Stade de Nice

What, ultimately, is the raison d’être of sport? The result, pure and simple, or how a particular game or moment makes you feel? Different people tend to have different answers to this fundamental question, which is perfectly fine. World Cups, in particular, are about scoring more points than the other lot. The touchy-feely stuff can then be ladled on top, dependent on personal taste.

The complication arrives on weekends such as the one just gone in France. Last Saturday night a few of us spoke to the Portugal flanker Nicolas Martins after his side’s gallant defeat by Wales in Nice. Portugal had just been beaten 28-8 but gained tens of thousands of admirers in the process with their immensely watchable brand of fast-paced rugby.