The eight-man bench is not an aspect of the pro game I support, and the lauding of England’s “Pom squad” as a key factor in their success this autumn has not altered my long-held conviction that it is not in rugby union’s best interests.

It is also debatable whether it’s been as influential in England going into the final match of their November quartet unbeaten, with the prospect of a clean sweep if they beat Argentina at Twickenham this afternoon, as many think.
England’s resounding 33-19 victory over the All Blacks last weekend illustrates why the hype that it was 6:2 “Pom Squad” bench p...