![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS355387917jpgtain.jpg\")
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton(Image: PA Wire)<\/p>\nWarburton believes there’s reason to be positive for Wales after their recent defeat to the All BlacksFormer Wales captain Sam Warburton(Image: PA Wire)<\/p>\n
Sam Warburton has backed England to claim the Six Nations title – and says Steve Borthwick’s men will similarly be contenders for the 2027 World Cup.<\/p>\n
England extended their hugely impressive winning streak to 11 games with their 27-23 win over Argentina at Twickenham, a run that has pushed them to third in the world rankings, behind South Africa and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Warburton believes the rankings will likely be reflected in the championship itself, adding that he expects Wales to finish bottom, behind Italy and Scotland.<\/p>\n
In contrast, he believes England are currently the “envy of Europe”.<\/p>\n
“The world rankings do not lie. Look at them now and they give you my predicted Six Nations<\/a> placings,” Warburton wrote in his latest column for The Times.<\/a><\/p>\n “England have nailed the use of their replacements\u2019 bench and it is obvious that Steve Borthwick has grown into his job as head coach.<\/p>\n “I know I have been accused of being overly positive about England, but they have so much depth and power at their disposal that they can be genuine World Cup contenders in 2027.”<\/p>\n On Wales, Warburton believes the defeat to the All Blacks offered some encouraging signs of progress, after what he believes was a problematic showing against Japan.<\/p>\n “After the victory over Japan I walked away from the stadium with massive reservations, not with the coaching staff, because I don\u2019t think there is any more they can do, but with the quality of player available.<\/p>\n “No disrespect to Japan but I would not have been celebrating beating the 13th-best team in the world. Wales didn\u2019t deserve to win. A kick in the last seconds should not have masked what happened before.<\/p>\n “But . . . Wales\u2019s defeat by the All Blacks last weekend gave me some hope. Yes, New Zealand were missing several frontline players \u2014 and still ran up 52 points \u2014 but I walked away from that match thinking Wales could win a couple of games in this Six Nations.<\/p>\n “They should aim for fourth place, that must be the target. They have both Scotland and Italy at home, and they can beat them.”<\/p>\n Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our<\/strong> free daily newsletter here<\/strong><\/a> and our <\/strong>WhatsApp channel here<\/strong><\/a> for all the breaking news.<\/strong><\/p>\n You can also follow us on social media on our <\/strong>X account<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Instagram<\/strong><\/a> and<\/strong> TikTok.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n For more exclusive stories and in-depth analysis, you can <\/strong>sign up for the Inside Welsh Rugby substack newsletter here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n