Yep, I teach most of that team. He's gutted.
Also played with the ref at Gala a long time ago.
Last round of the pool games starting tonight. Will New Zealand do to Uruguay what they did to Italy and put them to the sword looking for 100 points plus?
Will Italy be able to shake up France without Dupont?
Can Scotland beat Ireland for the 1st time in ages.
Has to be Wales and Fiji going through from Pool C no matter how much we like Portugals style of play surely.
England are through but how will they show up against the Samoans.
Japan or Argentina to make it.
I think New Zealand and France will both win comfortably but not big margins.
Scotland could manage that wonderful feat of beating Ireland but not by enough to go through (heart leading head here I'll admit)
Fiji should be too good for Portugal but could be a cracker of a match.
England win with a couple of card either side
Japan have improved and I hope they can beat the Pumas
What are your thoughts
more England discipline issues
more England discipline issues
How true.
Well, Curry & Farrell back in so back to the doldrums with 1 centre with the Farrell politics to great to leave him out, he must have some dodgy photos of the RFU Christmas party. Ford at 10, Steward back in.
To be fair to Curry we know he's a good player and needs the game time.
I expect Scotland v Ireland to be a very ill-tempered game. POM seems particularly (if perhaps somewhat understandably) disliked there. I expect to see Sexton targeted too, though that’s nothing new.
POM seems particularly (if perhaps somewhat understandably) disliked there
Its not so much that as POM hates Glasgow 🙂 Scotland only by association. He has bad blood with one or two of the Glasgow lads after an ill tempered game many years ago. I think it was Mbawza Ritchie got under his skin. 🙂
I think he is a great player. Scotland could do with someone with his determination never to take a backward step.
I think it will be a fierce game but not dirty. Head say Ireland by at least ten and controlling the game. Heart says Scotland winning by 2 points thus not going thru 🙂 Scot;land have to not get drawn into a slugfest but need to play fast and kick well. We won't tire them out moving them around but we are quicker and have a better back 3 - tho irelands back 3 is hardly a weakpoint.. Its the only advantage we have slight tho it is.
Ritchie and POM will have a frank exchange of views at some point for sure 🙂
France are looking good here
I'd love to see France win the World Cup (assuming Wales don't 😂)
This is what rugby should be (yes i know Italy are shit)....not the turgid garbage that Ireland and South Africa play
This is what rugby should be
Indeed, Ospreys 28 Cardiff 26 at fulltime.
indeed, Ospreys 28 Cardiff 26 at fulltime
😂
What have I missed re England discipline issues?
nothing yet. Its what we bet happens this weekend
I didn't think the France game was any good. Italy didn't really turn up France not really magnifique. Training match intensity.
With a bit of luck Farrell will get a red for a high tackle and we can resume with the slightly better Seconds team.
It will be interesting to see if Curry keeps Ludlum out, Earl and Lawes are nailed on to the other two back row positions. But Jonny May, a shadow of his former self and shouldn’t be on the pitch IMO. We also appear to have both a defensive and attacking full back these days, something that has worked well for the team. I quite agree with Smith being on the bench to come on when everyone gets tired and open up defenses what with being able to play several positions. We lose a dedicated wing by accommodating Farrell, but Marchant is decent cover. <br /><br />
I say all that with the expectation that’s there is only two more England games to watch, a close win v Samoa raising more questions that answers about Farrells inclusion, then a loss to whomever to exit the competition.
Scotland will go out. We have two possibilities:
Agonizing near miss going out on points difference. Heroic failure again.
Steamrollered by the mighty green machine
I have my pillow fort behind the sofa ready
Scotland to win by seven points, although the rugby team have a long way to go to catch the fitba team when it comes to heroic and agonising failure.
Right, do I squeeze a ride in now before the Wales game or give up watching England and ride after when I've got more time?
then a loss to whomever to exit the competition.
Fiji most likely unless Wales implode this afternoon, which is always a possibility.
Ì'm with stevenmenmuir Scotland win but not by enough. They do show up some hitherto unexposed weaknesses in the Irish team which gives their next opponents hope.
Can only ask that the Scots gie it laldy on the pitch
Hopefully an exciting afternoon of rugby awaits.
Scotland will go out.
I fear that unless Ireland receive two red cards in the first half, I cannot see Scotland troubling Ireland at all. [Even with one red card I think Ireland would win comfortably].
Before the start of the tournament it was difficult to tell if Wales might lose all their games or make it through to the semi-finals. I cannot see Wales losing today - maybe if we had to win, then I'd be less confident.
England to win comfortably today too.
Fiji most likely unless Wales implode this afternoon, which is always a possibility.
I think England would rather play Fiji at this point, England & Fiji seem to be on opposing sides of ascendancy*/descendancy in the competition. Dare I say it, Wales would be tough for England.
Albeit marginally in Englands case.
Anscombe out, Costelow in 😱
Thank goodness we don't have to win - I'm not sure how my nerves would cope. This always felt like a risk with Anscombe it seemed. At least it didn't happen in the knock out stages. It will be good to see how he gets on. Not sure who's backup(?).
Feels like there are cards coming on this game 😱
Squeaky bum time!
Well, this was all too predictable 😱
Good game. Wales are looking much stronger than I expected given run into world cup - apart from defence of broken field or generally unstructured attacking play which is absolutely pants.
Faletau out of the World Cup with a broken arm 🙁
Terrible for him and an awful blow for Wales.
Liam Williams also a concern apparently.
Gorgeous play by Samoa there for their first try.
Faletau out of the World Cup with a broken arm
Shit, he's our best player.
Samoa playing beautifully for another entry to England's 22. I have my fingers crossed for Farrell to pick up that game-changing red card to turn this around.
Oh, my that ?2nd try was amazing
Holy shit Samoa!
England on the ropes, why are they all walking around like there're in a daze?
Edit 2 mins later....Cricket score coming...
Shit, he’s our best player.
Indeed 😭😭.
Wales suffered due to injuries in the last world cup.
Samoa to put 100 on England? 😜😜
Hats a bollocks decision, should be clear and obvious to turn over decision
Urgh, I think Samoa have been robbed there from the Itoje tap back.
TMO is making this a hard game to get into they seem to just want to be in the game.
Goodness, England are hard to watch these days.
I think this is hard for England now. Samoa have their tails up, and are 40 minutes away from history and automatic qualification in 4 yrs time. What a story that could be for them.
I hope Samoa win because Taumateine has truly wonderful hair. It's a strong look.
Owen Farrell is such a bellend. He’s consistently let his team down for the last few years. What does he actually bring to England?
Well, that was great from Farrell.... not
Quite. The subs all focussed on keeping Farrel on rather than keeping a flatter attacking team with Ford/Lawrence/Marchant.
The pro England commentry thats doesn't quite know how shit they are gets more grating every game. Bring back Brian Moore.... lol.
And to highlight Farrells bellendery, the only player in the world to miss the shot clock. FFS!
