RWC 2015

[basherX]

Reasonably pleased with the squad on balance and after a bit of reflection. Interesting view here from McGeechan: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/intern...

Anyway....IRE vs WAL tomorrow. Interesting in it's own right but very interesting to this England fan for obvious reasons. I'm expecting a big performance from the Irish.

[irocfan]

a bit of fun...

https://www.periscope.tv/w/aK8NMDUwMzE3NXwxWXBLa09...


quality:

"what do you think of Gatland's mind games?"
"now that's an oxymoron"

Edited by irocfan on Friday 28th August 14:53

[DJRC]

a311 said:

DJRC said:

I'm glad Kruis is in. When I've seen him play for England in the real matches earlier this year he always turned up. I think he will impress.

He's a bit of a Lawes/Launch Hybrid IMO gets around the park, good in the lineout and a bit mroe of a carrier. Had a good domestic season, I 've have had Attwood in for his grunt but not sure at who's expense, maybe Parling but in a side short of caps I'm not so sure.

Parling and Attwood didn't impress me during the friendlies and to be honest I didn't expect that of Parling at all. Good honest grunt and line out work is meant to be his stock in trade. The criticism of him was that he wasn't mightily pressure anyway just solid. Well he failed that test - to be solid but unspectacular - when the French asked the question. Big Dave just hasn't fired.

[irocfan]

and another interesting article...

http://www.givemesport.com/623210-england-make-hug...

apparently a large proportion of the English (and other nationalities too) rugby fans have warmed to Cips. Oh well roll on the start - I'll be glued to the TV in hope!!!

[rb26]

From the other game this weekend; Scotland 48-7 Italy

Very strong game from Scotland's close to first XV. The front 5 over matching the Italians and the backs making some fantastic attacking play. The one area they need to work on is the defensive line-out maul, although they did show signs of promise in one particular play. All I can say is role on next weekend, If Scotland continue like this France will have a difficult game on their hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6SZbLno2Sw

edit to add the link

Edited by rb26 on Saturday 29th August 20:54

Edited by rb26 on Saturday 29th August 20:59

[Welshbeef]

Amazed no one watched the Ire v Wal 10-16.

Very good game - shame about the late Irish injury.
Really impressed with Wales

[dom9]

Had to pick Mrs.9 up from the airport and Jnr (labrador) decided to cut her leg open for the second time in 2 weeks

Is anyone else nervous that we're lagging behind the other 'home' nations. Scotland and Wales, not fancied at all, turning in big performances, especially in the forwards where England are really struggling!

[rb26]

The 48-7 result is somewhat flattering with 3 intercept trys and the fact Italy were generally abysmal. However old Scotland wouldn't have been so clinical in taking the chances presented and the fact our front 5 was beating a nation, which prides themselves on forward play, at the scrum was very encouraging. The real test for Scotland will be next Saturday.

[DJRC]

I had the Irish v Welsh game in front of me and the Liverpool game behind me and split my attention. I needn't have bothered with the Liverpool game as we were st. The Welsh were considerably better than England have looked in their last two matches. Having said that Wales were considerably better than they looked last time out against Ireland whilst Ireland who had been looking the best suddenly looked lack lustre and dull.

It's a strange old run in to this RWC.

[GravelBen]

A few good players left out of the NZ squad - Dagg, Jane, Sopoaga all staying home. Plenty of depth and competition in the backs at the moment though to be fair.

[Welshbeef]

In the big press today an Arfican ruling could strip all RSA rugby players of their passports stopping them going to the RWC ANC issue in that they don't believe enough blacks are in the team and only lip service has been paid to the cause....


Smart move would be to get them out of Aftica now - can your passport be retracted while you are overseas thus forcing you to return home?

[GravelBen]

Welshbeef said:

In the big press today an Arfican ruling could strip all RSA rugby players of their passports stopping them going to the RWC ANC issue in that they don't believe enough blacks are in the team and only lip service has been paid to the cause...

And ironically, it sounds like the IRB could (in theory) also choose to exclude them for having racially based selection.

[Welshbeef]

GravelBen said:

And ironically, it sounds like the IRB could (in theory) also choose to exclude them for having racially based selection.

Thing is IF they have then bang to rights But if it's on form and the style the coach wants to play then so be it.

I find it incredible that today there could be such backward thinking - black white mixed race whatever religion or non who cares best man for the job and the best that would benefit the team as a whole.

If said coach is guilty then he needs to be banned for life

[GravelBen]

I think you might be misunderstanding me - they do have racially based selection by fact of the rule that requires at least 30% of the team to be black.

I find it ironic that while internal parties want to stop them playing for not following that rule well enough (apparently its only 29%), the IRB could punish them for having the rule at all.

At least that's my understanding from what's been reported, given the accuracy of the media it might be a bit off.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Wales RWC squad just named:

Props: Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets).

Hookers: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets).

Locks: Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Dominic Day (Bath), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys).

Back-rows: Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).

Scrum-halves: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues).

Fly-halves: Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Rhys Priestland (Bath).

Centres: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

Wings: Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints).

Full-backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

No huge surprises apart from, perhaps, no Anscombe although that's probably because he's carrying an injury. AWJ also picked up a medial ligament injury yesterday, so praying for a speedy recovery there!

[Rusty1]

Firstly, I'm very happy that Scotland humped Italy, but still next weekend is the real test against France but finally Scotland showed some promise!

The one thing i really can't get my head round,

Canada only just beat Glasgow Warriors (lots of folk dissing the refs decisions), who were more a team of 2nd string players for Warriors
USA got beaten by Harlequins (again 2nd string players)

Is it just me that worries for Canada and USA that a club 2xv can give their international squad a real run for their money.

[Welshbeef]

Rusty1 said:

Firstly, I'm very happy that Scotland humped Italy, but still next weekend is the real test against France but finally Scotland showed some promise!

The one thing i really can't get my head round,

Canada only just beat Glasgow Warriors (lots of folk dissing the refs decisions), who were more a team of 2nd string players for Warriors
USA got beaten by Harlequins (again 2nd string players)

Is it just me that worries for Canada and USA that a club 2xv can give their international squad a real run for their money.

More worrying is to have an easy group then have your back doors smashed in at the next stage.

[rb26]

Or to have a really difficult pool and be so battered and bruised that by the quarters you've lost a good chunk of competitiveness through injury and fatigue.

[Slaav]

rb26 said:

Or to have a really difficult pool and be so battered and bruised that by the quarters you've lost a good chunk of competitiveness through injury and fatigue.

Or not get out of the bl00dy pool stages???? Unfortunately quite possible.....

[rb26]

I'm sure Wales will pull through. I'd be more concerned if I was an England fan at the moment, as their set piece is shocking. I'm certainly looking forward to the group A fixtures as a neutral by-stander!