International Rugby

[PaulWinch again]

Long term it may actually have been a blessing to go out tonight. I just hope that the RFU don't see a semi final being reached as a reason to not start to fix everything that is wrong with ths current state of English rugby.

Nah whether they get it right or not is very much to be seen, but I think they’re acutely aware of the problems.

[AV84]

Could yet be proved wrong, but the fact that both England and Argentina have made the semi finals highlights the ridiculous drawing of groups years before the tournament.

There is no logic to it, and given that there are always so many 'also rans' competing at every World Cup leaving very few realistic winners, there seems little excuse getting the draw so badly stilted.

It's worked well in that Tier 1 teams of the same level have been playing each other so far, and it's resulted in 4 evenly matched QFs. But the SFs will most likely be an absolute blow out, before a final that's quite possibly between 2 teams that have already played each other a few weeks ago.

If you end up with the 2 best teams in the final then I guess that's all that matters, but last night's game and tonight's game should really have been the SFs this year.

[PaulWinch again]

We’ll see about the blow outs.

[taylorsworkrate]

We’ll see about the blow outs.

I think England could do ok against the French (who may feel the pressure a bit) and not lose by too many, but I think the Boks could be a bit of a bloodbath

[Villa Lew]

What a start for France

[Brazilian Villain]

Decent start to the game.

[Jon Crofts]

Amazing how quiet it’s gone.

[Jon Crofts]

Even quieter now.

[Gareth]

Whichever team wins this puts 40 points + on England next week

[paul_e]

I'd missed it before but I think it's interesting that SA have started Reinach ahead of de Klerk. Extra pace to handle Dupont, experience playing in France or just because he's a better player? Not sure.

SA look worryingly strong so far though, France need to get a grip in the loose because SA are loving broken play right now.

[Jon Crofts]

This is mental.

[paul_e]

Whichever team wins this puts 40 points + on England next week

Nah, France did that to us in the 6N but we've come a long way since that, they'd both be favourites but it won't be as ridiculously one-sided as it looked like it might be.

[Brazilian Villain]

This is mental.

It's scintillating stuff so far.

[Gareth]

Whichever team wins this puts 40 points + on England next week

Nah, France did that to us in the 6N but we've come a long way since that, they'd both be favourites but it won't be as ridiculously one-sided as it looked like it might be.

Night and day in terms of ability, coaching or intent to play.

Their complacency is our only weapon

[PaulWinch again]

Mad game - from an English perspective our hope is this is the emotional peak for both because it’s exceptional.