Rugby World Cup - England

[Keith Oates]

If the French game yesterday is anything to go by there has to be a very dramatic improvement in the England team to make there visit to France worthwhile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[longers]

What was the score Keith?

Radio 5 reported that Brain Ashton had said they wouldn't be playing their strongest team today despite what he'd said previously (and this was before the match).

 

[Elmer Fudd]

I actually (although I hate to admit it) was shouting for Wales today !
It must be the lesser of 2 evils

 

[Keith Oates]

longers, 22 - 9 to France !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[longers]

I'm sure there's plenty of positives that can be taken from the match. Especially if you're NZ, SA or Oz (or even French).

 

[Keith Oates]

I still think the Kiwis will take home the cup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Aperitif]

I'm sure there's plenty of positives that can be taken from the match. Especially if you're NZ, SA or Oz (or even French).

+1

England are fast becoming the 'Tiger Tim' of World Rugby - would be lovely if it were Tiger Woods!

 

[Dayvo]

I still think the Kiwis will take home the cup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still (reluctantly) think the French will win!
England? No further than the quarter finals.

 

[Hugo15]

Thought England were poor last night. Stuart Barnes on Sky was saying that it wasn't a bad performance but I can't recall us breaking the French defensive line once and never came close to even look like we were going to score. The ball we are winning is slower than slow and consequently we look devoid of ideas in the backs.

Can't see past NZ to win.

 

[Aperitif]

Someone played like a right Cueto! I thought it was hollow, bumbling, lacking pace and totally sideways - from England's point of view. But I have already moaned about this elsewhere so I think I'd better shh...

However, France showed last night that they have a right nuisance in Dusattoir and Nyanga adding impetus to a slick responsive line.

Bring on the World Cup!

 

[Aperitif]

In some respects you have a point Maggot. Since 2003, their activities have been 'peripheral' to say the least...just look at other big sides that have won the World Cup in the past - they keep on generating wins - Aus, NZ, SA, etc etc - you know that.
England have been consistent in their dismal showings - no real invention or continuity which prevailed before the 2003 competition.
Don't get me wrong, I expect England to do well - like Timmy at Wimbers...but I could be disappointed.
Meanwhile -here's a view on the line ups for the games after the group matches...it is from a blog in Le Parisien so you'll understand the slight bias from my mate Ben - who got a view from his mate Glaoui - so it must be right!

Pronostics

A l'initiative de mon bon ami Glaoui, je vous propose de faire un petit pronostic des sorties de poule et des 1/4 - 1/2 et finale probables.

Voici la manière dont je vois le déroulement des choses :

Poule A : 1er : Afrique du Sud - 2ème : Angleterre ----- Poule B : 1er : Australie - 2ème : Pays de Galles

Poule C : 1er : Nouvelle-Zélande - 2ème : Italie ----- Poule D : 1er : France - 2ème : Argentine

Les quarts de finale :

- Afrique du Sud - Pays de Galle : Afrique du Sud ----- Australie - Angleterre : Australie

- Nouvelle-Zélande - Argentine : Nouvelle-Zélande ----- France-Italie : France

Les demies :

Afrique du Sud - Australie : Afrique du Sud

France - Nouvelle-Zélande : France (soyons chauvins quoi !)

Finale :

France - Afrique du Sud : la France est championne du monde 2007 !!!!

 

[Cathryn]

Took me a while to grasp he wasn't talking about international chickens!!! Hurrah for Poule A.

I admit we're not great right now (!!) but I can still remember the overwhelming excitement when Johnny kicked that ball four years ago. I'm not going to slag 'em off now they're having a bad time! That was one of the best moments EVER!!

 

[Tim Bennet.]

I agree.

Having said that, I think you can't under estimate the huge advantage French teams (in all sports) seem to get when these tournaments are held in France. (cycling excepted). They really do seem to be able to generate the 'home team advantage'.

I think they may be the surprise team.

 

[HJ]

I am being to look froward to the World Cup, it will be such fun watching England going out in the first round