International Rugby

[Aldridge Villa]

Not a popular win that one. Nothing to like about Rassie and the rest of em.

[Jon Crofts]

Erasmus should have got a lifetime ban after the second Lions test.

[AV84]

So annoying that we were the only team to beat the "World Champions" but we are not the "World Champions"!

[PaulWinch again]

It’s illustrative of Ireland’s problem at the World Cup isn’t it? Can only win when it’s not do or die and it really matters.

[Brazilian Villain]

So annoying that we were the only team to beat the "World Champions" but we are not the "World Champions"!

Not as annoying as it would have been for the other countries if a small nation where rugby is the 4th sport were the 'World Champions'.

[olaftab]

So annoying that we were the only team to beat the "World Champions" but we are not the "World Champions"!

Not as annoying as it would have been for the other countries if a small nation where rugby is the 4th sport were the 'World Champions'.

As if that's ever going to happen

[Jon Crofts]

I think I’ve finally sussed out my irrational dislike of DeKlerk, he’s just a South African version of Robbie Savage.

[nigel]

South Africa had all the big decisions go their way from the QF’s. They shouldn’t have been in the semi’s

Vrs France,
Etzebeth yellow should have been upgraded to red, He went on to score a try.
Ginger prop should have had a yellow for scrum infringements, which would have had them down to 13.
Kolbe’ s charge down of the conversion should have been looked at.

[nigel]

I think I’ve finally sussed out my irrational dislike of DeKlerk, he’s just a South African version of Robbie Savage.

😂

[AV84]

BBC posted a team of the tournament - "Using the unique Opta Index - which objectively scores each player's performances throughout the campaign - we can select the best XV of the tournament."

Interestingly, there's only 1 South African player in the 15.

[Brazilian Villain]

Eddie Jones has resigned. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67254778

[paul_e]

BBC posted a team of the tournament - "Using the unique Opta Index - which objectively scores each player's performances throughout the campaign - we can select the best XV of the tournament."

Interestingly, there's only 1 South African player in the 15.

I reckon that's pretty fair as well, I don't think SA had anyone who stood out, just lots of 7/10 performances that added up.

I'm not surprised that Lawes is in there, he must've been close to player of the tournament, he was almost faultless and is easily the biggest loss for us of the retirees.

Of the list the only shock for me is Mo'unga who I don't think was particularly good but I don't think any of the 10s had a great tournament.

I'm glad they didn't limit themselves to the countries that got to the knockouts as well.

[Risso]

Village trick-or-treating for the kids tonight, Dan Cole was there dressed as a skeleton.

[dcdavecollett]

Must have been a pretty big skeleton!

[paul_e]

Skivington, Waldouck and Vesty confirmed as the coaching team for England A vs Portugal next month. I'm happy with that, all young enough to have time to learn and develop as coaches but all talented enough to be around the England setup in the long-term. Vesty in particular has had a massive impact at Saints and I suspect he'll want a few of his lads there to build the team around but it'll depend on who is in the main squad. That's announced next week but I'm not sure in the A's will be at the same time (but I assume it will be).


Dingwall with the As as the leader of the backs (and potentially captain) is my guess because I don't think Borthwick will go for him but he's key to how Vesty sets up the Saints backline.


Waldouck and Skivington are more difficult to assess because Glaws are having a poor season (and weren't great last year either) but people I know who've met them both are full of praise for their coaching. I really hope Waldouck does well because he had a horrible time as a player where he should really have got 50+ caps but every time he got on the radar he got injured again and fell away.