STEPHEN JONES Rugby’s most outspoken and influential journalist
“North v South has been one-sided for so much of rugby history”
THE BATTLE of the hemispheres has started in this frantically busy autumn of rugby, and the age-old comparisons between the North and the South in terms of standards, playing philosophies, commercial appeal and all the other aspects has already begun in earnest.
The clashes ahead are welcome on many counts. Unless there is some horrible revival in the grip of the pandemic, then the next few weeks will see the first sustained barrage of big crowds since pre-lockdown. The coffers will be replenished and hopefully people will get back into the swing of attending international matches – although not too often; these days if you take a son or daughter or wife or lover you can wave goodbye to £1,000 without even having onions on your hamburger.
Yet some of the old North v South comparisons are no longer valid. There was a real bite
