The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Typically ZA flexing just in time, I said they were my favs followed closely by France, they rolled 7 forwards on at 47 mins and just kept the pressure up. Their power is frightening

[Zapater]

Too easy. Happy with the interviews afterwards, staying humble and not getting carried away. Sometimes these types of results get blown out of proportion. Delighted with it obviously though.

[Buzzo]

7 - 1 split on the bench!!!

That’s not a result that has increased my confidence for 2 weeks time. I guess we have to hope for some South African complacency.

I can see why we have kept going for a full strength line up. And why Ireland can perhaps build towards performance through the first few games. Georgia today will be a test for our pack which will be a decent warm up to South Africa. And then we have to go for the perfect performance. Try and move that pack about a bit.

…and pray.

[Irishnev]

7 - 1 split on the bench!!!

That’s not a result that has increased my confidence for 2 weeks time. I guess we have to hope for some South African complacency.

I can see why we have kept going for a full strength line up. And why Ireland can perhaps build towards performance through the first few games. Georgia today will be a test for our pack which will be a decent warm up to South Africa. And then we have to go for the perfect performance. Try and move that pack about a bit.

…and pray.

You think it’s hyperbole from me when I say I worry that we mightn’t get out of our group! ZA will def overpower us and prob ye guys as well. Yes we’ve got a good record against ye but on a hard track in a neutral ground you’ll beat us 4 out of 10 times and why not in the WC.

Added to that our team isn’t playing well and we are still massively reliant on Sexton who hasn’t play in half a year ffs A few injuries with Dan Sheehan being the latest doubt!

I’d say we’re 50/50 to get out of our group

[Buzzo]

If you are 50/50 we are 25/75!

ItÂ’s worth repeating but this draw is a monumental **** up. And, despite their woes it is frustrating to see the very achievable route to the knockouts for England Wales and Australia given respective for over the last 18 months to 2 years.

Makes the early stages interesting but we will lose one of the top 5 teams pretty early.

[Cormack74]

You think it’s hyperbole from me when I say I worry that we mightn’t get out of our group! ZA will def overpower us and prob ye guys as well. Yes we’ve got a good record against ye but on a hard track in a neutral ground you’ll beat us 4 out of 10 times and why not in the WC.

Added to that our team isn’t playing well and we are still massively reliant on Sexton who hasn’t play in half a year ffs A few injuries with Dan Sheehan being the latest doubt!

I’d say we’re 50/50 to get out of our group

You're worried

I'm not even confident we can beat Samoa as things stand.

[Buzzo]

You're worried

I'm not even confident we can beat Samoa as things stand.

England need to find a performance from somewhere. Teams will be smelling blood. I reckon Argentina are slight favourites going into the first game. They are a really good team.

[Cormack74]

Hyperbole aside, I genuinely think they will beat us by about 10-15 points.

Once they were 'all forwards' but these days they have some scintillating backs too.

And Japan are definitely handy - look how they beat the Boks at the last WC.

So I truly won't be surprised if we are back early. If that happens and I was Borthwick, I'd be using the 6N to go full throttle with the next generation even if we end up with the wooden spoon. The experience for a bunch of youngsters would be invaluable.

[Buzzo]

The problem then potentially becomes Borthwick, there is a phenomenal amount of talent coming through but you need that variety of play through the backs that England don’t seem bothered about playing. As with Wales the ball goes through a few phases then either 9 or 10 are going to launch it.

[RichC]

[ame]http://twitter.com/rugbyinsideline/status/1695423374065901751[/ame]

[Cormack74]

dupe

[Cormack74]

The problem then potentially becomes Borthwick, there is a phenomenal amount of talent coming through but you need that variety of play through the backs that England don’t seem bothered about playing. As with Wales the ball goes through a few phases then either 9 or 10 are going to launch it.

I don't think it's a (preferred) tactic. Well not all the time albeit we can be guilty of that

We kick it because the ball is coming back so slowly - the best attacks have ruck speed of about a second and a bit, whereas ours is routinely 3 seconds plus.

So there is a substantial disconnect (several maybe) causing this issue. Some of it may be a hangover from Jones (an article I posted a couple of days back mentioned how everyone's confidence was utterly sapped), some of it may be the combinations Borthwick is using.

Do you keep messing with the combinations using broadly the same players or do you say we start afresh with a bunch of 21 year olds and build for the future? I'd definitely be considering the latter if we're home after the first 2 weeks.

[Cormack74]

http://twitter.com/rugbyinsideline/s...23374065901751

At first glance I read that as; guilty of taking croissant

[Buzzo]

Wow. Instead of providing a statement win, England lose to Fiji. Is this the lowest ebb for English Rugby?

[Buzzo]

That said, we have our own issues here.

Can see the concern in getting injured v still needing to put in a performance. But we need to do better 2nd half.