Truthfully England hardly lit up this years six nations, they were comfortably beaten by Ireland.
It isn't much of a barometer.
I agree with you entirely about Ireland, France and England being on a similar level.
Rugby world cup
- Thread starter scream
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Truthfully England hardly lit up this years six nations, they were comfortably beaten by Ireland.
It isn't much of a barometer.
I agree with you entirely about Ireland, France and England being on a similar level.
From 5Live Rugby England XV: Foden Ashton Tuilagi Flood Cueto Wilkinson Youngs Stevens Thompson Cole Deacon Palmer Croft Moody Easter
England pick Flood at 12 due to Tindall injury. Wilkinson at 10. Cueto in for Armitage. Palmer at lock (Lawes bench). Easter at 8. Haskell bench
England pick Flood at 12 due to Tindall injury. Wilkinson at 10. Cueto in for Armitage. Palmer at lock (Lawes bench). Easter at 8. Haskell bench
Where are England.. Semis now?
What I find funny is that you lot are going on about England vs Ireland and yet it might be France vs Wales in the Semi's!
Not sure it will be France v Wales but would expect at least one of them to make it. My money's on France.
Wales more likely to make it to the semis than France - that's for sure.
I'm off to a wedding on Friday night so I can't see myself getting up to watch this. Hope they lose so I don't miss anything good.
I watched a few moments of this tournament for the first time. Will the US ever field a decent side internationally?
Need to naturalize more Aussies/Kiwis/Saffers and get the elite American Samoans back into rugby instead of the NFL, only then will the US have a decent side
saw something in the Irish Examiner today about how expensive the flights to NZ are for Irish folk that want to watch the SFs. bit presumptous don't you think?
Nah wouldnt say that man, its just plannin ahead if we make the semi's. feckin disgrace what travel agents are charging for the semi's & final tho - anything up to €5000 for travel, accom & match tickets
Forget what you hear in the news - there's a helluva lot of wealthy people living in Ireland that can just jump sticks & spend thousands in a flash. If we win on Saturday - they'll be chanting whilst boarding the plane:
"Recession me bollix.."
feckin politicians would go and claim it as a business expense.
From the matches I've seen - Ireland look like a potentially decent bet to win the whole thing. Carter is a huge loss for NZ and I can see South Africa getting to the final again.
Have to hope that England are saving their big performances for when it matters though.
Have to hope that England are saving their big performances for when it matters though.
Breaking news
England's rugby practice was delayed for two hours this afternoon after a player reported finding a white powdery substance on the practice ground. Head coach martin Johnson immediately suspended practice while the police were called to investigate.
After a complete forensic search the New Zealand Police determined that the white stuff which was unknown to the players was in fact the try line. Practice was continued as police were happy the players were unlikely to encounter the substance again...
England's rugby practice was delayed for two hours this afternoon after a player reported finding a white powdery substance on the practice ground. Head coach martin Johnson immediately suspended practice while the police were called to investigate.
After a complete forensic search the New Zealand Police determined that the white stuff which was unknown to the players was in fact the try line. Practice was continued as police were happy the players were unlikely to encounter the substance again...
from the BBC:
0908 RUGBY WORLD CUP: Sonny Wool, a 'psychic' sheep from New Zealand, has 'predicted' England will beat France in Saturday's quarter-final. He has been compared to Paul the Octopus from the 2010 football World Cup because he chooses which team will win by selecting one of two boxes of food put in front of him, each of which has a nation's flag on. Sonny, who has successfully chosen New Zealand to win its last four matches, also reckons the All Blacks will defeat Argentina, Ireland will triumph over Wales and South Africa will beat Australia.
0908 RUGBY WORLD CUP: Sonny Wool, a 'psychic' sheep from New Zealand, has 'predicted' England will beat France in Saturday's quarter-final. He has been compared to Paul the Octopus from the 2010 football World Cup because he chooses which team will win by selecting one of two boxes of food put in front of him, each of which has a nation's flag on. Sonny, who has successfully chosen New Zealand to win its last four matches, also reckons the All Blacks will defeat Argentina, Ireland will triumph over Wales and South Africa will beat Australia.
my local is showing the game at 1am. will probably head down there to watch it.
Much rather 1am than 6 or 8.30am, you're a lucky man.
/Not for Utd games so much.
/Not for Utd games so much.
fecking rugby.
Jesus...that's some start from Wales.
Early try in the corner.
Wales 7 Ireland 0 - 3 minutes gone
Early try in the corner.
Wales 7 Ireland 0 - 3 minutes gone
5 minutes of Irish possession and pressure, but the Welsh stand strong, and then force a turnover.
Ireland going for the corner repeatedly on penalties instead of going for the points, and paying the price...coughing up possession AGAIN.
Wales 7 Ireland 0 - 19 minute
Wales 7 Ireland 0 - 19 minute
Any cocky Irish still about?BOD has been at his opportunistic best so far...
Wales being let down by constant infringements, Ireland finally get on the board.
Wales 7 Ireland 3 - 24 minutes
Wales being let down by constant infringements, Ireland finally get on the board.
Wales 7 Ireland 3 - 24 minutes
Wales 10 Ireland 3 - 29 minutes
Mistakes creeping in, ROG with some good kicks, but also some really basic kicking errors
Wales 10 Ireland 3 - 37 minutes
Wales 10 Ireland 3 - 37 minutes
Wales 10 Ireland 3 HT
Long way to go...
Long way to go...
a poor pass does the trick for Ireland, loose ball, creates an overlap and Earles in the corner, ROG with the conversion
Wales 10 Ireland 10 - 46 minutes
Wales 10 Ireland 10 - 46 minutes
Welsh number 9 with a cheeky try down the blindside - Irish asleep
Misses the conversion
Wales 15 Ireland 10 - 52 minutes
Misses the conversion
Wales 15 Ireland 10 - 52 minutes
Should be supporting Wales for an "easier" opponent for England, not really sure though.
Ireland are losing it.
poor miss by Wales - they might pay for those 3 points come FT
Wales go over again, and that might just be it. Poor attempt at tackles by some of the Irish. Try converted.
Wales 22 Ireland 10 - 66 minutes
Wales 22 Ireland 10 - 66 minutes
Shocking stuff
Wales miss another opportunity to pad the scoreline, penalty hitting the post....
but with only 5 minutes left, it's no big deal
but with only 5 minutes left, it's no big deal
Welsh defending - IMMENSE. Ireland have been poor, lots of mistakes, but that takes nothing away from how hard the Welsh have worked.
Really really well done to Wales if they pull this off.
First Semi final since the inaugural tournament in 87.
First Semi final since the inaugural tournament in 87.
Brilliant performance by Wales.
Looking like finalists.
Looking like finalists.