International Rugby

[UK Redsox]

England are likely to win the World Cup, but blimey, it’s a hard watch at times.

I haven’t seen so many lineout/rolling maul combos since Lydney v Berry Hill back in the eighties.

[Lastfootstamper]

Quarterfinal stage at the WRWC. France twatted Italy in our small hours, and will face the winners of the NZ/Wales game being played now, on ITV if you fancy a watch. A bright start from Wales saw them hold the black ferns to pointless for quarter of an hour, but from the moment Portia Woodman went over for her record-equalling 19th World Cup try, it's been a bit one way. Wales can't get out of their own half. Currently 19-3 after 35 minutes.

England play Australia at 1.30 our time tomorrow , with USA and Canada completing the least eight straight after.

[Lastfootstamper]

26-3 at halftime.

[Lastfootstamper]

Now 55-3, 10 minutes to go.

[UK Redsox]

Just watched the Wales v NZ game. Wales stayed in touch for a lot longer that I expected.

How was that late tackle near the end not a red card? The Welsh player picked her opponent up and dropped her on her neck. I thought that the tackler had to place their opponent in order to mitigate down to a yellow.

If England do meet NZ in the final, it’ll be a real contrast of styles. With NZ trying to get the ball to Tui and Woodman, whilst England shove it up their jumper.

[Lastfootstamper]

I can only think it wasn't a red because she didn't use her arms to pick her up, she more kind of just stood up whilst still under the kiwi, and rolled her off her shoulders.

[Lastfootstamper]

It was quite late though, like you said.

[UK Redsox]

England team to face Argentina: Steward; Nowell, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), Cokanasiga; Smith, Youngs; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Coles, Hill, Itoje, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Singleton, M Vunipola, Heyes, Ribbans, Simmonds, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Slade

[paul_e]

I'll never be happy seeing Youngs in and it generally feels like a team picked for the 'fight' rather than to out play them but I don't think that will chnage whilst Jones is here so I'm just going to go with being happy to see Coles get the recognition he deserves for having a fantastic start to the season. Fuck the 6/2 split though, that bullshit needs to stop.

[UK Redsox]

Just caught up with the semi finals.

Two great games that were far closer than I expected.

England showed that they can use their backs to change up their style of play.
Abby Dow’s second try was something special.

Tough on France, who had a penalty at the death to beat NZ

It’ll be difficult for the final to surpass today’s matches.

[paul_e]

Just caught up with the semi finals.

Two great games that were far closer than I expected.

England showed that they can use their backs to change up their style of play.
Abby Dow’s second try was something special.

Tough on France, who had a penalty at the death to beat NZ

It’ll be difficult for the final to surpass today’s matches.

The french kicker is a far better player than that rank penalty but it was a great show of how much pressure was on her, she'll need some help getting over that because she really should've kicked them into the final.

The England game was close but whilst NZ are ahead of Canada in the rankings they're not the team they were 18 months ago so, right now, I suspect that was the 2 best sides in the world. If England keep their heads I think they win the final by at least 10.

[Brazilian Villain]

I don't always enjoy rugby matches as a spectacle but that was some game to watch. Physical, intense and Ireland just managed to get over the line in the end despite having some injuries to key players.

[Jon Crofts]

I don't always enjoy rugby matches as a spectacle but that was some game to watch. Physical, intense and Ireland just managed to get over the line in the end despite having some injuries to key players.

Fair play to Ireland that was a huge effort & well deserved. Wales on the other hand.............

[taylorsworkrate]

Just watched the England game after staying away from the score during the Villa game earlier. How much more evidence do the RFU need before Jones gets the boot?

[UK Redsox]

Just watched the England game after staying away from the score during the Villa game earlier. How much more evidence do the RFU need before Jones gets the boot?

Youngs would never have scored the try that vP did within seconds of coming on.

Since Youngs will never be dropped from the squad, he should be on the bench to use his experience to see games out, with vP starting.

The passing interplay of Genge and Sinckler was great in the first half.
Should have kept both on all games, because Heyes was rubbish and Mako is old and slow.