edge out

He said: "They probably just edge out England in terms of being favourites, but I don't think there's much in it. It's a tough one to call, so I'd say Australia, just."

It has been a similar story over the past fortnight, as the All Blacks finished strongly to edge out Ireland and Scotland.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz felt "relieved" after he battled back from a set down to edge out Taylor Fritz in a thrilling contest and close on a place in the knockout stages at the ATP Finals in Turin.

However, Crowley has started the season strongly and his starring role in Munster's comprehensive United Rugby Championship win over Leinster has helped him edge out Prendergast.

The Reds, in the playoffs for the first time since 2020, used a late-season surge to edge out the Mets for the third and final wild-card spot in the National League.