Rugby world cup 2015

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Hoof Hearted 20 Sep 15 9.36am
Quote sickboy at 20 Sep 2015 8.57am Quote nickyf at 20 Sep 2015 8.53am Quote twist at 20 Sep 2015 4.20am Not taking anything away from Japan, but it seems they have the England cricket team beat when it comes to using foreign players. I have been out of Rugby for years though, so dont know if this is a common thing amongst international rugby these days. ------------------------------------------------------- rugby is full of ringers these days you only have to eat some sushi and you can qualify to play for japan. The mighty all blacks have been cherry picking the best south sea islanders for years. Too right.... it seems that anyone can play for any country at any sport these days. Don't let this blurring of national identity ruin a historic day for Japanese Rugby. It was a monumental success and for me one of the best games of Rugby I've ever seen for entertainment. I loved the fact that the Japanese didn't settle for the draw when awarded the penalties, but kept scrumming to force the try and victory.
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Hoof Hearted 20 Sep 15 9.36am

Quote sickboy at 20 Sep 2015 8.57am

Quote nickyf at 20 Sep 2015 8.53am

Quote twist at 20 Sep 2015 4.20am

Not taking anything away from Japan, but it seems they have the England cricket team beat when it comes to using foreign players.
I have been out of Rugby for years though, so dont know if this is a common thing amongst international rugby these days.

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rugby is full of ringers these days you only have to eat some sushi and you can qualify to play for japan.

The mighty all blacks have been cherry picking the best south sea islanders for years.

Too right.... it seems that anyone can play for any country at any sport these days.

Don't let this blurring of national identity ruin a historic day for Japanese Rugby.

It was a monumental success and for me one of the best games of Rugby I've ever seen for entertainment.

I loved the fact that the Japanese didn't settle for the draw when awarded the penalties, but kept scrumming to force the try and victory.

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soulboy Lewisham 20 Sep 15 9.42am
So, I was in my local hotel bar yesterday, which was unusually packed with some rather large chaps all wearing green shirts and speaking Afrikaans.....have to thank the bar staff for having the guts to allow me one screen to watch the West Ham/Man City match. Good game but spoiled by some loud and unusual noises which although I don't speak Afrikaans, I guessed were obscenities being yelled at the other tv screens. Sorry guys, can't get excited about rugby. Edited by soulboy (20 Sep 2015 9.47am) "Deviance is a freedom enjoyed in a city of lightly engaged strangers"
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soulboy

Lewisham 20 Sep 15 9.42am

So, I was in my local hotel bar yesterday, which was unusually packed with some rather large chaps all wearing green shirts and speaking Afrikaans.....have to thank the bar staff for having the guts to allow me one screen to watch the West Ham/Man City match. Good game but spoiled by some loud and unusual noises which although I don't speak Afrikaans, I guessed were obscenities being yelled at the other tv screens. Sorry guys, can't get excited about rugby.

Edited by soulboy (20 Sep 2015 9.47am)

"Deviance is a freedom enjoyed in a city of lightly engaged strangers"

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johnno42000 20 Sep 15 5.40pm
Argentina are doing well. 'Lies to the masses as are like fly's to mollasses...they want more and more and more'
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johnno42000

20 Sep 15 5.40pm

Argentina are doing well.

'Lies to the masses as are like fly's to mollasses...they want more and more and more'

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The Sash Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 9.31am
Quote nickyf at 20 Sep 2015 8.53am Quote twist at 20 Sep 2015 4.20am Not taking anything away from Japan, but it seems they have the England cricket team beat when it comes to using foreign players. I have been out of Rugby for years though, so dont know if this is a common thing amongst international rugby these days. ------------------------------------------------------- rugby is full of ringers these days you only have to eat some sushi and you can qualify to play for japan. Indeed - but they are far down the list. Wales have the highest number of foreign born players in their squad at this WC believe it or not. As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014
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The Sash

Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 9.31am

Quote nickyf at 20 Sep 2015 8.53am

Quote twist at 20 Sep 2015 4.20am

-------------------------------------------------------

rugby is full of ringers these days you only have to eat some sushi and you can qualify to play for japan.

Indeed - but they are far down the list.

Wales have the highest number of foreign born players in their squad at this WC believe it or not.

As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014

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LABoxers Wallington 21 Sep 15 9.33am
Was a great day down at the Gaymex on Saturday. Amazing performance from Japan, whose squad only consist of 6 or 7 non-Japanese players I think. The fact they didn't just settle for the draw, and went for the scrums was a testament to their desire to win. Never seen so many people jumping up to celebrate a try for a country that wasn't their own!
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LABoxers

Wallington 21 Sep 15 9.33am

Was a great day down at the Gaymex on Saturday. Amazing performance from Japan, whose squad only consist of 6 or 7 non-Japanese players I think. The fact they didn't just settle for the draw, and went for the scrums was a testament to their desire to win. Never seen so many people jumping up to celebrate a try for a country that wasn't their own!

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The Sash Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 9.36am
I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it. England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right. Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor. New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it. As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014
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The Sash

Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 9.36am

I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers

As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it.

England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right.

Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor.

New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it.

As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014

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ASCPFC Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 21 Sep 15 12.14pm
Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it. England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right. Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor. New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it. I would think there is little evidence that England aren't really contenders. They are at home in every match and they have managed to get quite a decent squad together - in fact, in squad depth I would rate England as about the best. What would worry me about England is that potential to choke in one match. Choke against Australia or Wales and the World Cup could be over very quickly. Nevertheless England have consistently beaten both Australia and Wales in recent years so why shouldn't they now? I think England fans should put things into a little perspective. Ireland are a decent side - probably as good as they will ever get, yet England have finished second on points difference, nothing else, for two years now. There are only really three or four sides with a realistic chance of winning the world cup and England are one of them. Red and Blue Army!
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ASCPFC

Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 21 Sep 15 12.14pm

Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am

I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers

As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it.

England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right.

Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor.

New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it.

I would think there is little evidence that England aren't really contenders. They are at home in every match and they have managed to get quite a decent squad together - in fact, in squad depth I would rate England as about the best.
What would worry me about England is that potential to choke in one match. Choke against Australia or Wales and the World Cup could be over very quickly. Nevertheless England have consistently beaten both Australia and Wales in recent years so why shouldn't they now?
I think England fans should put things into a little perspective. Ireland are a decent side - probably as good as they will ever get, yet England have finished second on points difference, nothing else, for two years now. There are only really three or four sides with a realistic chance of winning the world cup and England are one of them.

Red and Blue Army!

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The Sash Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 12.29pm
Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.14pm Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it. England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right. Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor. New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it. I would think there is little evidence that England aren't really contenders. They are at home in every match and they have managed to get quite a decent squad together - in fact, in squad depth I would rate England as about the best. What would worry me about England is that potential to choke in one match. Choke against Australia or Wales and the World Cup could be over very quickly. Nevertheless England have consistently beaten both Australia and Wales in recent years so why shouldn't they now? I think England fans should put things into a little perspective. Ireland are a decent side - probably as good as they will ever get, yet England have finished second on points difference, nothing else, for two years now. There are only really three or four sides with a realistic chance of winning the world cup and England are one of them. England have a mental fragility and its exactly that - they have a tendency to choke. Ireland are decent, England are decent - decent teams don't win World Cups even with home advantage As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014
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The Sash

Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 12.29pm

Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.14pm

Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am

I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers

As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it.

England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right.

Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor.

New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it.

England have a mental fragility and its exactly that - they have a tendency to choke.

Ireland are decent, England are decent - decent teams don't win World Cups even with home advantage

As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014

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ASCPFC Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 21 Sep 15 12.37pm
Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 12.29pm Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.14pm Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it. England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right. Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor. New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it. I would think there is little evidence that England aren't really contenders. They are at home in every match and they have managed to get quite a decent squad together - in fact, in squad depth I would rate England as about the best. What would worry me about England is that potential to choke in one match. Choke against Australia or Wales and the World Cup could be over very quickly. Nevertheless England have consistently beaten both Australia and Wales in recent years so why shouldn't they now? I think England fans should put things into a little perspective. Ireland are a decent side - probably as good as they will ever get, yet England have finished second on points difference, nothing else, for two years now. There are only really three or four sides with a realistic chance of winning the world cup and England are one of them. England have a mental fragility and its exactly that - they have a tendency to choke. Ireland are decent, England are decent - decent teams don't win World Cups even with home advantage Fair enough - presume you are saying really only an excellent/brilliant team can win - which usually leaves you with NZ? And England really were a great side in 2003. However, this year I believe there isn't quite the gap people think there has been between Northern and Southern hemisphere. SA won't be striking fear into anybody on their current form. I heard from a springbok fan that this poor form has been going on for a while now and that the Japan match was just the latest in a string of bad games. I think NZ could have done with some younger players but would worry about the England v Australia game. Aussies seem to have a new lease of life from somewhere, whereas 'on paper' you would think a pack like England's would make mincemeat of their pack - it really isn't looking that way. Red and Blue Army!
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ASCPFC

Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 21 Sep 15 12.37pm

Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 12.29pm

Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.14pm

Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am

I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers

As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it.

England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right.

Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor.

New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it.

England have a mental fragility and its exactly that - they have a tendency to choke.

Ireland are decent, England are decent - decent teams don't win World Cups even with home advantage

Fair enough - presume you are saying really only an excellent/brilliant team can win - which usually leaves you with NZ? And England really were a great side in 2003.
However, this year I believe there isn't quite the gap people think there has been between Northern and Southern hemisphere. SA won't be striking fear into anybody on their current form. I heard from a springbok fan that this poor form has been going on for a while now and that the Japan match was just the latest in a string of bad games.
I think NZ could have done with some younger players but would worry about the England v Australia game. Aussies seem to have a new lease of life from somewhere, whereas 'on paper' you would think a pack like England's would make mincemeat of their pack - it really isn't looking that way.

Red and Blue Army!

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The Sash Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 1.30pm
Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.37pm Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 12.29pm Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.14pm Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it. England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right. Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s**ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor. New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it. I would think there is little evidence that England aren't really contenders. They are at home in every match and they have managed to get quite a decent squad together - in fact, in squad depth I would rate England as about the best. What would worry me about England is that potential to choke in one match. Choke against Australia or Wales and the World Cup could be over very quickly. Nevertheless England have consistently beaten both Australia and Wales in recent years so why shouldn't they now? I think England fans should put things into a little perspective. Ireland are a decent side - probably as good as they will ever get, yet England have finished second on points difference, nothing else, for two years now. There are only really three or four sides with a realistic chance of winning the world cup and England are one of them. England have a mental fragility and its exactly that - they have a tendency to choke. Ireland are decent, England are decent - decent teams don't win World Cups even with home advantage Fair enough - presume you are saying really only an excellent/brilliant team can win - which usually leaves you with NZ? And England really were a great side in 2003. However, this year I believe there isn't quite the gap people think there has been between Northern and Southern hemisphere. SA won't be striking fear into anybody on their current form. I heard from a springbok fan that this poor form has been going on for a while now and that the Japan match was just the latest in a string of bad games. I think NZ could have done with some younger players but would worry about the England v Australia game. Aussies seem to have a new lease of life from somewhere, whereas 'on paper' you would think a pack like England's would make mincemeat of their pack - it really isn't looking that way. Pretty much yes - England still lack balance and real consistent quality for me. Like I said they are decent, good on their day but have a mental fragility that very good* sides don't have. I think Lancaster has done a good job on the whole in steadying a sinking ship from the disasters of the last regime and has taken them forward but ultimately is a bit limited as a coach. His selections at times are baffling and the not picking players outside of the Premiership is ridiculous. English players bettering themselves in France like Armitage, getting plaudits all round for their performances in arguably the strongest league in Europe and he wont get in... I fancy the Aussies to do well as well and do expect them to win the group. As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014
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The Sash

Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 1.30pm

Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.37pm

Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 12.29pm

Quote ASCPFC at 21 Sep 2015 12.14pm

Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 9.36am

I still cant stop smiling that the South Africans lost to Japan - I cant stand the Saffers

As for the tournament so far - really enjoying it.

England aren't good enough to be serious contenders and don't look like they will even grow into the tournament for me. The balance of that team still isn't right.

Wales and Ireland didn't really have a test so we haven't learnt much about their chances. Scotland must be s***ting themselves in their group. France looked OK but Italy were poor.

New Zealand did what New Zealand do but for them it was rusty and not quite all clicking together, credit the Pumas for that, but they will still win it.

England have a mental fragility and its exactly that - they have a tendency to choke.

Ireland are decent, England are decent - decent teams don't win World Cups even with home advantage

Pretty much yes - England still lack balance and real consistent quality for me. Like I said they are decent, good on their day but have a mental fragility that very good sides don't have.

I think Lancaster has done a good job on the whole in steadying a sinking ship from the disasters of the last regime and has taken them forward but ultimately is a bit limited as a coach.

His selections at times are baffling and the not picking players outside of the Premiership is ridiculous. English players bettering themselves in France like Armitage, getting plaudits all round for their performances in arguably the strongest league in Europe and he wont get in...

I fancy the Aussies to do well as well and do expect them to win the group.

As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014

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sydtheeagle England 21 Sep 15 1.47pm
Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 1.30pm Pretty much yes - England still lack balance and real consistent quality for me. Like I said they are decent, good on their day but have a mental fragility that very good sides don't have. I think Lancaster has done a good job on the whole in steadying a sinking ship from the disasters of the last regime and has taken them forward but ultimately is a bit limited as a coach. His selections at times are baffling and the not picking players outside of the Premiership is ridiculous. English players bettering themselves in France like Armitage, getting plaudits all round for their performances in arguably the strongest league in Europe and he wont get in... I fancy the Aussies to do well as well and do expect them to win the group. Sash -- Bomber is still a case of two steps forward, one step back. Our problems as I see it are: 1. Still don't have a fetcher 7. Robshaw isn't an openside (and nor is Tom Wood) and it shows. (You are so right about Fatty Armitage). 2. Hartley is massive loss. Tom Youngs may be useful in the loose but he can't hook and he can't scrummage. Both are useful qualities for a hooker. 3. Lawes ditto the above. Massive tackler in the loose, but underpowered in the engine room. 4. Barritt may be an excellent defensive organiser but he offers absolutely nothing else. Stop and count to 10 once the ball gets beyond Ford. 5. Burgess took about two minutes to get caught out of position defensively. God knows what will happen when he faces someone like SBW who will target him. Fine, he's useful with the ball in hand but he's not a (union) rugby player. 6. Ford has a future but he's not a world-cup winning 10 right now. Ditto Faz: why is daddy still bringing him to work? 7. If we're really honest, we have no depth at 9. Youngs can't play every minute of every game and Wrigglesworth was simply miles behind the play when he came on on Saturday. He was getting to the breakdown so late that the quality of his passing became almost irrelevant. ABs did not really impress on Sunday but then they didn't really need to. Comfortably the side to beat, which is not to say they will win it. Agree with you about the Wobs...they finally have a pack to go with their ability behind the scrum. France can't be predicted but if they show up in the knock-out stages, they may be in the conversation. Which the Bokke aren't and never were. I think we have a slim chance...certainly not no chance but not a good chance either. Look for one of the hookers to "get injured" this week or next and Hartley, now his suspension is over, to come back in by the way. Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.
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sydtheeagle

England 21 Sep 15 1.47pm

Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 1.30pm

Pretty much yes - England still lack balance and real consistent quality for me. Like I said they are decent, good on their day but have a mental fragility that very good sides don't have.

I think Lancaster has done a good job on the whole in steadying a sinking ship from the disasters of the last regime and has taken them forward but ultimately is a bit limited as a coach.

I fancy the Aussies to do well as well and do expect them to win the group.

Sash -- Bomber is still a case of two steps forward, one step back. Our problems as I see it are:

1. Still don't have a fetcher 7. Robshaw isn't an openside (and nor is Tom Wood) and it shows. (You are so right about Fatty Armitage).

2. Hartley is massive loss. Tom Youngs may be useful in the loose but he can't hook and he can't scrummage. Both are useful qualities for a hooker.

3. Lawes ditto the above. Massive tackler in the loose, but underpowered in the engine room.

4. Barritt may be an excellent defensive organiser but he offers absolutely nothing else. Stop and count to 10 once the ball gets beyond Ford.

5. Burgess took about two minutes to get caught out of position defensively. God knows what will happen when he faces someone like SBW who will target him. Fine, he's useful with the ball in hand but he's not a (union) rugby player.

6. Ford has a future but he's not a world-cup winning 10 right now. Ditto Faz: why is daddy still bringing him to work?

7. If we're really honest, we have no depth at 9. Youngs can't play every minute of every game and Wrigglesworth was simply miles behind the play when he came on on Saturday. He was getting to the breakdown so late that the quality of his passing became almost irrelevant.

ABs did not really impress on Sunday but then they didn't really need to. Comfortably the side to beat, which is not to say they will win it. Agree with you about the Wobs...they finally have a pack to go with their ability behind the scrum. France can't be predicted but if they show up in the knock-out stages, they may be in the conversation. Which the Bokke aren't and never were.

I think we have a slim chance...certainly not no chance but not a good chance either. Look for one of the hookers to "get injured" this week or next and Hartley, now his suspension is over, to come back in by the way.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

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The Sash Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 2.02pm
Quote sydtheeagle at 21 Sep 2015 1.47pm Quote The Sash at 21 Sep 2015 1.30pm Pretty much yes - England still lack balance and real consistent quality for me. Like I said they are decent, good on their day but have a mental fragility that very good sides don't have. I think Lancaster has done a good job on the whole in steadying a sinking ship from the disasters of the last regime and has taken them forward but ultimately is a bit limited as a coach. His selections at times are baffling and the not picking players outside of the Premiership is ridiculous. English players bettering themselves in France like Armitage, getting plaudits all round for their performances in arguably the strongest league in Europe and he wont get in... I fancy the Aussies to do well as well and do expect them to win the group. Sash -- Bomber is still a case of two steps forward, one step back. Our problems as I see it are: 1. Still don't have a fetcher 7. Robshaw isn't an openside (and nor is Tom Wood) and it shows. (You are so right about Fatty Armitage). 2. Hartley is massive loss. Tom Youngs may be useful in the loose but he can't hook and he can't scrummage. Both are useful qualities for a hooker. 3. Lawes ditto the above. Massive tackler in the loose, but underpowered in the engine room. 4. Barritt may be an excellent defensive organiser but he offers absolutely nothing else. Stop and count to 10 once the ball gets beyond Ford. 5. Burgess took about two minutes to get caught out of position defensively. God knows what will happen when he faces someone like SBW who will target him. Fine, he's useful with the ball in hand but he's not a (union) rugby player. 6. Ford has a future but he's not a world-cup winning 10 right now. Ditto Faz: why is daddy still bringing him to work? 7. If we're really honest, we have no depth at 9. Youngs can't play every minute of every game and Wrigglesworth was simply miles behind the play when he came on on Saturday. He was getting to the breakdown so late that the quality of his passing became almost irrelevant. ABs did not really impress on Sunday but then they didn't really need to. Comfortably the side to beat, which is not to say they will win it. Agree with you about the Wobs...they finally have a pack to go with their ability behind the scrum. France can't be predicted but if they show up in the knock-out stages, they may be in the conversation. Which the Bokke aren't and never were. I think we have a slim chance...certainly not no chance but not a good chance either. Look for one of the hookers to "get injured" this week or next and Hartley, now his suspension is over, to come back in by the way. Don't disagree with any of that Syd to be honest...just to add my two penneth 1. We do get shown up by not having that specialist 7 - Open side is a bit of an art and we continue to make do. 2. Tom Youngs is a good ball carrier as you say but on top of his scrummaging limitations every line out is a disaster waiting to happen 3. Courtney's a lump and athletic for a lock but does his best work defending rather than going forward for me. Word class locks do both. 4. BB is a defensive centre and has absolutely none of the go forward or flair you need - Burrell must be spitting. 5. How Burgess got in I am still scratching my head - 5 minutes of Union and he's and international ???? 6. I honestly think Forde is overrated at the moment, ditto OF - England arguably haven't had a good one since JW 7. Yep - Wiggly is not an international scrum half end of. Its not that England are a bad side, they aren't, they just lack that extra bit which says 'champions' and I mean of anything, World Cup or 6N The biggest bright spot recently is that they have finally stopped Johnny May from running sideways very fast and pointed him in the right direction. Edited by The Sash (21 Sep 2015 2.03pm) As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014
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The Sash

Now residing in Epsom - How Posh 21 Sep 15 2.02pm

Quote sydtheeagle at 21 Sep 2015 1.47pm