Tonight's rugby news as Clive Woodward issues World Cup warning to southern hemisphere giants and Pivac's Wales message

Here is your rugby evening news for Sunday July 17.

Sir Clive Woodward believes Six Nations teams have put down a huge World Cup marker after their summer tours and warned the southern hemisphere giants should 'be worried.'

England beat Australia, Ireland stunned New Zealand and Wales pushed world champions South Africa strongly before gallantly falling 2-1.

The countdown has begun ahead of next year's 2023 tournament in France and Woodward says the Six Nations is the perfect launchpad for European sides to prepare.

In contrast, he reckons, the big guns from down under will be looking over their shoulders.

"What is clear is the Six Nations is now the ideal preparation for any World Cup success, not touring the southern hemisphere. That has never been the case previously, but now it is," said Woodward in a column for the Mail.

"With the exception of Italy, every Six Nations game allows for a real opportunity to prove your World Cup credentials. The southern hemisphere nations will be worried and certainly should be."

Wayne Pivac addressed his squad one final time before they left South Africa on Sunday night, leaving them in no doubt as to what he expects moving into World Cup year.

The Welsh players will disperse and enjoy some time off after a gruelling three-Test tour of South Africa. But they will soon be in training with their domestic sides at the start of what will feel like a never-ending season going through to the World Cup in September 2023.

Wales might have lost the series against the Springboks, but they snatched an unlikely historic victory in the second Test and proved far more competitive than many predicted. After the defeat to Italy, pride has been restored in the jersey at the very least and Pivac had