Given that slight advantage, you d be forgiven if you thought the Eagles will clean up this year. But the Eagles are in flux. With injuries and work commitments playing havoc with the 1998 lineup, the interior backline and tight five have not gelled. The Eagles used four fly-halves in 1998, and four are in the squad again this year. The same goes for the back row.
Defense is another question.
This mission was not accomplished in 1998, and should be chief goal for the 1999 Epson Cup. I pick Japan to pull off victories in both these home matches. May 15 Tonga at U.S.A . The Eagles historically play well in San Francisco, and every player will have much to prove in this match if he wants to stay on the squad for October - The Eagles to win. May 15 Fiji at Canada May 22 Fiji at U.S.A Canada to win the first of these two.