Thoughts!!!!

ABs will win by a distance.

NH will be second best. Wales will probably be best also-rans


Alternatively, The Mighty Finn will steer Scotland to a dramatic victory, scoring 6 dazzling tries in every game and you guys will all have to bow down and accept that the world rugby landscape has changed forever.

You gotta admit that's a preferable outlook to the embarrassing reality we are likely to see..

I think NZ will win too, but not as easily as you think Show.

Ireland, England, Wales and SA will all be tough to beat and I just hope we play well and keep all our important guys fit.

Wish I was going out for it.

Looking forward to it already, roll on September!

Looking forward too but with some trepidation

comment by theresgonnaebeashow (U5686)
posted 1 day, 15 hours ago
Looking forward too but with some trepidation
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I reckon you’ll be alright in Pool A. Big one against Ireland first up.

Hmm, I wouldn't be so sure about the NZ winning at a canter. Against Eng and Ire they managed one try across both games - that's not the ABs of old and they are very beatable these days.

I personally think a NH side will take this. Ireland and England both play at an intensity I don't think Wales can reach, despite their recent 6N success. If either Eng/Ire get it right in Japan, I can see one of them winning.

NZ also without Damian McKenzie which is a blow.

comment by -RKW- (U22124)
posted 1 week, 1 day ago
comment by theresgonnaebeashow (U5686)
posted 1 day, 15 hours ago
Looking forward too but with some trepidation
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I reckon you’ll be alright in Pool A. Big one against Ireland first up.
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You might be forgetting Samoa and the host nation are also in there with us. All big games.

Samoa shouldn't be much of a problem, they have been in decline for a while. Japan however might be tough, great side to watch with a good coach.

comment by Aristodemus (U3765)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
Samoa shouldn't be much of a problem, they have been in decline for a while since other countries took to robbing them of their best players. Japan however might be tough, great side to watch with a good coach.
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There ye go matey, fixed that for ye.

Yeah, these nations with 50% foreign born starting XV's eh Show

Indeed Demus, but you know hee-haw about heritage, do you? I blame the schools.

Seriously though, never mind Georgia etc, rugby would be better on a world scale if the IRB supported the islands. Fiji would be a helluva side if all Fijian born and Fijian heritage (the granddad rule) players played for them. Samoa and Tonga would also be a lot stronger, as you well know.

Good God, not even Mammon itself (the round ball game) allows the nonsense of residency.

A slow burner this world cup. Mad to think the warm up games start in a week.

Hi folks

Has anyone been monitoring South Africa, they seem to be putting together a real run of form, I’d say they were the best side England played in the last 12 months - in my opinion - and are in the same pool as New Zealand

If they won that the All Blacks would probably play Ireland in the quarters and South Africa would then take on Scotland or Japan

Just my opinion

Pool A Winners - Ireland
Runners Up - Scotland

Pool B Winners - New Zealand
Runners Up - S.Africa

Pool C Winners - England
Runners Up - France

Pool D Winners - Austrailia
Runners Up - Wales

England v Wales - Wales
New Zealand v Scotland - New Zealand
Australia v France - Australia
Ireland v S.Africa - Ireland

Wales v New Zealand - New Zealand
Australia v Ireland - Ireland

Winners - New Zealand
Runner Up - Ireland
3rd - Wales
4th Australia

David Denton has been forced to retire at 29

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49712831

Very very sad about Denton, true its a contact sport and I don’t want to see us playing tag, but surely something can be done to reduce this

This is essentially Denton’s livelihood and any job that forces you out at 29 would otherwise be illegal

Not sure what the answer is, but this can’t be right, likewise Sam Warburton

Indeed SARS. Not my favourite player, had hands like feet but Id rather have him available.

Hi there Show
Hope you’re well first and foresmost, I always rather liked him, a forward who was essentially a back - I can see why we differ!
Either way, i’m worried where we’re going


Anyway, random question

You can select any other player as randomly being eligible - who do you pick
For me it’s Michael Hooper, he’s just incredible

Also wanted to say to Fan, great to have a Dons fan on here - not sure that Show would agree but I’ll leave you guys too that

Finally Ireland- Scotland, will you watch, dare you watch, who will win?

Give me the full Hastings - Jeffrey treatment here gents

I don't like any of they fcks tbh

Ireland, Id imagine will win quite comfortably unfortunately

Ouch!

So who’d ya bring back from the past - Scott Hastings, John Jeffrey, Finlay Caulder - where will you guys wind up - Quarters? But if you beat Ireland . .....

Back at ya FanDan.

But to answer the SARS question, thats a difficult one. Im going to go for one of our weakest positions, prop. I'll take Tadhg Furlong. Loose head is weaker but TF is world class.

Quarter finals, any further, would be a very long shot as will face New Zealand or S.Africa

I would take Jeffrey, loved him as a player

Id be happy with QF.

I'd bring back Mighty Mouse Ian McLauchlen. Best loose head ever. And all of 5' 9" and 14 stone 7.

Now surely it doesn’t take an Englishman to fire up the chaps in proper blue, but ...
If you win the first game, you win the group, you have beaten the Boks recently, on the day .....
C’mon gents!!!

But, if not you, then who would you want to win?

I never said this, obviously, but I always feel France are owed in Rugby like the Dutch in the roundball

Still, I support Sheffield Wednesday and Gloucester so what do I know?