Discussion
Italy are playing well but I'll be surprised if they can keep it up. Ireland looking comfortable and don't think Italy are testing them defensively yet. Ireland have always been a strong second half team and if they get another try early on I'd expect them to carry on for the bonus point. First thing on their mind is the win and I've no doubt that'll happen.
Some interesting info about the England squad (second hand, but coming from a few separate places now) coming out, have a look at:
https://twitter.com/InfernoProTV
Sounds like chaos.
https://twitter.com/InfernoProTV
Sounds like chaos.
Symbolica said:
Some interesting info about the England squad (second hand, but coming from a few separate places now) coming out, have a look at:
https://twitter.com/InfernoProTV
Sounds like chaos.
Very interesting, Billy might not have done himself any favours by talking so candidly, but I guess he has to. Gonna be interesting to see the fall out from this.https://twitter.com/InfernoProTV
Sounds like chaos.
If this is true - then until England sort out things from the top I'll stop watching them. I put the blame on Lancasters shoulders. But if he has been put in impossible position by the RFU I'll change tact - and blame them entirely. We would never have won. But it appears that there has been a strong culture of bullying in the camp. That isn't acceptable.
This popped up on my Leicester Tigers group feed on Facebook....
So, it turns out Kieran Bracken’s next-door neighbour is the senior partner at a City litigation law firm called Stewarts Law. Last night they held a RWC gathering which was hosted by Bracken. As part of the proceedings—after David “rent-a-gob” Campese had spent 15 minutes railing against everything in modern rugby—Bracken got hold of the mic and did a Q&A with injured England no. 8 Billy Vunipola! who had a beer in his hand and appeared to have a couple more inside him…
Bracken: when you were interviewed after the game against Fiji you said you didn’t know you’d scored the bonus-point try—that was a strange thing to say…
Billy: not at all. None of us knew bonus points were part of this world cup. No one had told us.
[…]
Bracken: what’s Stuart Lancaster like to work with as a coach?
BillyV: I don’t know.
Bracken: what do you mean?
BillyV: Stuart doesn’t coach the team, Andy Farrell does. I’ve never been coached by Stuart.
Campo, butting in: what effect has that had on the way the team plays?
Billy: he makes us play like a rugby league team.
(Campo then goes off on one about England’s terrible style of play is and how the RFU should just bite the bullet and hire an experienced international coach. To be fair, he’s absolutely spot on with that).
[…]
Campo: so what do you think about England picking Sam Burgess?
BillyV: it’s been disruptive. The whole squad is unhappy about it.
Bracken: WHAT? Why?
BillyV: Luther Burrell earned his place in the RWC squad and Sam didn’t. Luther should have been picked, not Sam.
[…]
Bracken: and how are you enjoying playing under Chris Robshaw?
BillyV: *shrugs shoulders, sips beer, says nothing*
So, that’s OK then.
Meanwhile Jake—who seems to have got himself quite close to the England camp—is saying that Mike Catt walked out of last week’s selection meeting and vowed not to return: seem Farrell is not only coaching the team but picking it as well… *
- Found on the Quins forum
So, it turns out Kieran Bracken’s next-door neighbour is the senior partner at a City litigation law firm called Stewarts Law. Last night they held a RWC gathering which was hosted by Bracken. As part of the proceedings—after David “rent-a-gob” Campese had spent 15 minutes railing against everything in modern rugby—Bracken got hold of the mic and did a Q&A with injured England no. 8 Billy Vunipola! who had a beer in his hand and appeared to have a couple more inside him…
Bracken: when you were interviewed after the game against Fiji you said you didn’t know you’d scored the bonus-point try—that was a strange thing to say…
Billy: not at all. None of us knew bonus points were part of this world cup. No one had told us.
[…]
Bracken: what’s Stuart Lancaster like to work with as a coach?
BillyV: I don’t know.
Bracken: what do you mean?
BillyV: Stuart doesn’t coach the team, Andy Farrell does. I’ve never been coached by Stuart.
Campo, butting in: what effect has that had on the way the team plays?
Billy: he makes us play like a rugby league team.
(Campo then goes off on one about England’s terrible style of play is and how the RFU should just bite the bullet and hire an experienced international coach. To be fair, he’s absolutely spot on with that).
[…]
Campo: so what do you think about England picking Sam Burgess?
BillyV: it’s been disruptive. The whole squad is unhappy about it.
Bracken: WHAT? Why?
BillyV: Luther Burrell earned his place in the RWC squad and Sam didn’t. Luther should have been picked, not Sam.
[…]
Bracken: and how are you enjoying playing under Chris Robshaw?
BillyV: *shrugs shoulders, sips beer, says nothing*
So, that’s OK then.
Meanwhile Jake—who seems to have got himself quite close to the England camp—is saying that Mike Catt walked out of last week’s selection meeting and vowed not to return: seem Farrell is not only coaching the team but picking it as well… *
Derek Smith said:
An exciting match for the non-aligned. I thought Italy might do it, Got to love 'em for the effort.
Yup Italy have improved massively over the last few years. Much more disciplined and well organised. So Ireland and France both through. That'll be a good game when they face each other to see who goes top. Winner probably faces Argentina and the runner up gets the all blacks.
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