Gap between hemispheres widening says Will Greenwood

Will Greenwood believes the gap between the northern and southern hemisphere has widened following the Rugby World Cup and a change of attitude is needed to catch-up.

The Rugby Championship sides dominated the knock-out stages of the tournament, providing an all-southern hemisphere semi-finals line up for the first time in the history of the Rugby World Cup.

Sky Sports pundit Will Greenwood says that this dominance has led to the home nations sides facing a new challenge.

"Well the points difference says the gap is even widening" said Greenwood. "The only closing of gaps was tier two to tier one, which means in reality Georgia and Japan are threatening England, Wales and Ireland as opposed to us, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland threatening the top four of the semi-finalists.

The former England centre also feels that the only way to address the ever-growing gap can only be solved by a shift in the way the game is approached at both International and club level.

"In the short term, I think all the northern hemisphere coaches for the Six Nations get together and say we cannot make this Six Nations another bun fight, every game must be like that super Saturday back in March and that's the way the teams have got to approach it" added Greenwood.

"It is not about trying to be New Zealand but clearly the current vogue is the best form of defence is to attack and don't worry about a Calcutta Cup, a Triple Crown go and play, go and focus on performance rather than victory.

"The biggest single trophy medal you can win in the world of rugby is the Rugby World Cup it has to be said now that the Six Nations and Calcutta cup games are simply stepping stones to a greater challenge."

"I think all of that comes down to some of the league games as well. It is extremely difficult for Top 14 and  Premiership sides, where Saint-Andre and Lancaster have absolutely no control over their players.

"If Steve Hansen wants to play Beauden Barrett at full-back he will ring up the Hurricanes coach and say stick him at full-back that's where we need him" added Greenwood. "That is just not going to happen (in the Premiership) and that's the greatest challenge for the English side, to have more control over their players."