Rugby World Cup

[Dave Summers]

As the Rugby World Cup is just around the corner and the World Cup warm up games start tomorrow, I thought I would start a new topic dedicated to this event.

I'm lucky enough to have a ticket for the match at Twickenham tomorrow and a bit of a lifelong ambition is fulfilled as I am taking my daughter to her first game.

Looking at the England team, am very excited to see how our antipodean combination of Flutey and Tuilagi go.  I feel they bring much more flair and dynamism than Hape and Tindall, so am hoping they go well tomorrow.


Our forwards will, as usual, be big and strong and ought to secure plenty of ball.  It's what we do with it, that then concerns me.   Would like to see Sharples get a run out and indeed play well enough to get into the final squad instead of Banahan.

Either way, us usual, it will be a good day out in some decent weather for a change.  If anyone else is going, I will be parked up outside the Barmy Arms (pub by the river in
Twickenham town centre with my wife and daughter trying not to look too bored 

[PaulWinch again]

I'm looking forward to the World Cup, I think England's team is actually building to the World Cup in 4 years. But we tend to gain momentum in the World Cup, and we've got a better side than the last time we reached the final so should be interested.

[Barry Shaw]

I'm there tomorrow too. Got a box with O2 so beer and curry all the way.

[EalingVilla]

I am going tomorrow. I have started to become quite optimistic about our chances actually, going to 20 notes on us to win it. Put Thomson and Shaw on when playing the big physical packs for a bit of grunt, and that team will score tries. Obviously four years time probably more realistic, but with Tuillangi potentially coming through suddenly our centre issue looks promising. The following first 15 looks good on paper.

1)       Stevens / Cole
2)       Thomson / Hartley
3)       Sheridan

4)       Shaw / Lawes
5)       Palmer

6)       Croft
7)       Moody / Wood
       Easter / Haskell

9)       Youngs
10)   Flood

11)   Ashton

12)   Tuilangi
13)   Tindell / Flutey

14)   Cueto

15)   Foden

[villan1975]

Am I the only one who finds the shipping in of "English" residents such as Tuilangi is destroying any national pride you may have for rugby?Not 100% sure but did'nt we play an international with seven non English players?I know New Zealand have been doing it for years with the Samoans but does'nt make it right or fair.

[Dave Cooper please]

Not a big rugby fan but if I was it wouldn't bother me too much.
I love my cricket and England are half South African, doesn't dim my pride one bit.

[Kingthing]

Dave, I'll be in the Barmy Arms from 12, I'll keep an eye out. This will be my first England game.

[cdbearsfan]

The Groups...

Pool A
New Zealand, France, Tonga, Canada, Japan

Pool B
Argentina, England, Scotland, Georgia, Romania

Pool C
Australia, Ireland, Italy, Russia, United States

Pool D
South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Manu Samoa, Namibia

Top two go through.

I'd say New Zealand, France, England, Australia, Ireland and South Africa are more-or-less certain to qualify.

The main questions will be who comes second out of Argentina/Scotland and Wales/Fiji.

New Zealand should win, but will they bottle it again? I'll be happy if any Northern Hemisphere team wins it, even if that means France.

[cdbearsfan]

I can't say I like what Western Samoa have changed their name to, glory-hunting scummers!

[villan1975]

Not a big rugby fan but if I was it wouldn't bother me too much.
I love my cricket and England are half South African, doesn't dim my pride one bit.

does not make it right either but it is something I will be bringing up in cricket thread also.
does also look by reaction it something I alone care about so go "england".

[JD]

Am I the only one who finds the shipping in of "English" residents such as Tuilangi is destroying any national pride you may have for rugby?Not 100% sure but did'nt we play an international with seven non English players?I know New Zealand have been doing it for years with the Samoans but does'nt make it right or fair.

They all do it. England, Wales, NZ (with Samoans, Tongans and Fijians), Australia, France. The only ones who don't seem to do it is South Africa.     

[JD]

I'm not looking forward to the Rugby World Cup, I'm sick of it already over here. Nothing would amuse me more than to see the AB's choke again (even though I live here). It would be great to see England in the final against anyone but the AB's wearing their black kit, as I think it would make the heads of 90% of people over here explode 

There has been forums over here about Englands Black kit with people thinking it is insulting to the All Blacks, NZ, Maori etc, etc. What a crock of shit.       

[cheltenhamlion]

I would love it if the All Blacks choked again.

[PaulWinch again]

It's great to have Stevens back, I think England have a really exciting squad. I'm interested to see Tuilagi.

[cdbearsfan]

I would love it if the All Blacks choked again.

Me too, but I'd rather they won it than the Aussies or South Africa.