Rugby Union World Cup (**Spoilers**)

Well it all kicks off just over a month from now and the warm up games rumble into action this weekend. England are playing Wales at Twickenham, then England have a home game against France the following week, Ashton then has to cut the squad from 40 down to 30 ready for an away game (in Marseilles) against France on the third weekend.

Looking forward to the competiton, even though I know England don't have a hope in hells chance of defending the cup, it'll be a great experience for some of the younger lads in the team (so 4 years later they'll be ready to launch a genuine attempt to bring it back home ) and it's just nice to have that much Rugby on the telly

Teams for Saturday;
England: Mark Cueto; David Strettle, Dan Hipkiss, Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson; Jonny Wilkinson, Shaun Perry; Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan, Phil Vickery (captain), Simon Shaw, Steve Borthwick, Martin Corry, Joe Worsley, Nick Easter
Replacements: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Lewis Moody, Lawrence Dallaglio, Peter Richards, Toby Flood, Mathew Tait

Wales: L Byrne (Ospreys); A Brew (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), G Thomas (Cardiff Blues, capt), D James (Llanelli Scarlets); C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), G Cooper (Gloucester); I Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), H Bennett (Ospreys), C Horsman (Worcester), W James (Gloucester), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), A W Jones (Ospreys), C Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), M Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), T R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys), J Hook (Ospreys), T James (Cardiff Blues).

Some interesting/odd picks from BA there, glad to see Hipkiss get his chance he was on fire at the end of last season, surely this has to be Farrells last chance. What the the hell is the Worzel doing at openside , I just hope it is a game time thing rather than a grand plan. Wales haven't put their strongest side out either so it's a good chance to gain a bit of confidence going into the French games.

World Cup Pools
Pool A
England
South Africa
Samoa
USA
Tonga

Pool B
Australia
Wales
Fiji
Canada
Japan

Pool C
New Zealand
Scotland
Italy
Romania
Portugal

Pool D
France
Ireland
Argentina
Georgia
Namibia

Fixtures
7 September:
France 12 v 17 Argentina, Stade de France, St Denis, Pool D (2000 BST)

8 September:
England v USA, Lens, Pool A (1700 BST)
Australia v Japan, Lyon, Pool B (1445 BST)
New Zealand v Italy, Marseille, Pool C (1245 BST)

9 September:
Ireland v Namibia, Bordeaux, Pool D (1900 BST)
Wales v Canada, Nantes, Pool B (1300 BST)
South Africa v Samoa, Parc des Princes, Paris, Pool A (1500 BST)
Scotland v Portugal, St Etienne, Pool C (1700 BST)

11 September:
Argentina v Georgia, Lyon, Pool D (1900 BST)

12 September:
Italy v Romania, Marseille, Pool C (1900 BST)
USA v Tonga, Montpellier, Pool A (1300 BST)
Japan v Fiji, Toulouse, Pool B (1700 BST)

14 September:
England v South Africa, Stade de France, Pool A (2000 BST)

15 September:
Ireland v Georgia, Bordeaux, Pool D (2000 BST)
Wales v Australia, Cardiff, Pool B (1400 BST)
New Zealand v Portugal, Lyon, Pool C (1200 BST)

16 September:
Fiji v Canada, Cardiff, Pool B (1300 BST)
Samoa v Tonga, Montpellier, Pool A (1500 BST)
France v Namibia, Toulouse, Pool D (2000 BST)

18 September:
Scotland v Romania, Edinburgh, Pool C (2000 BST)

19 September:
Italy v Portugal, Parc des Princes, Pool C (1900 BST)

20 September:
Wales v Japan, Cardiff, Pool B (2000 BST)

21 September:
France v Ireland, Stade de France, Pool D (2000 BST)

22 September:
South Africa v Tonga, Lens, Pool A (1300 BST)
Argentina v Namibia, Marseille, Pool D (2000 BST)
England v Samoa, Nantes, Pool A (1500 BST)

23 September:
Scotland v New Zealand, Edinburgh, Pool C (1600 BST)
Australia v Fiji, Montpellier, Pool B (1330 BST)

25 September:
Canada v Japan, Bordeaux, Pool B (1700 BST)
Romania v Portugal, Toulouse, Pool C (1900 BST)

26 September:
Georgia v Namibia, Lens, Pool D (1700 BST)
Samoa v USA, St Etienne, Pool A (1900 BST)

28 September:
England v Tonga, Parc des Princes, Pool A (2000 BST)

29 September:
Australia v Canada, Bordeaux, Pool B (1400 BST)
Wales v Fiji, Nantes, Pool B (1600 BST)
Scotland v Italy, St Etienne, Pool C (2000 BST)
New Zealand v Romania, Toulouse, Pool C (1200 BST)

30 September:
France v Georgia, Marseille, Pool D (1400 BST)
South Africa v USA, Montpellier, Pool A (1900 BST)
Ireland v Argentina, Parc des Princes, Pool D (1600 BST)

6 October:
QF1: W Pool B v RU Pool A, Marseille (1400 BST)
QF2: W Pool C v RU Pool D, Cardiff (2000 BST)

7 October:
QF3: W Pool A v RU Pool B, Marseille (1400 BST)
QF4: W Pool D v RU Pool C, Stade de France (2000 BST)

13 October:
SF1: W QF1 v W QF2, Stade de France (2000 BST)

14 October:
SF2: W QF3 v W QF4, Stade de France (2000 BST)

19 October:
3rd place play-off, Parc des Princes (2000 BST)

20 October:
Final, Stade de France (2000 BST)

I was discussing this at work with a fellow rugby fan and we came up with pratically the team Ashton chose.

It's make or break for Farrell and Hipkiss. They play good solid games they'll play next week and be given another chance to fail. Fail tomorrow and they're not going. He's chosen pretty much his best team and has to risk the injuries from now on in. Consistency and game time are paramount to England, we have pick our best team every game and hope.

Well after Englands 62-5 drubbing of what can only be described as the worst team Wales have ever sent to Twickenham (where was the pride in their own jersey ) England face the much sterner test of France at Twickers on Saturday (17:00 kick off).

Brian Ashton has made sweeping changes to the team that beat Wales (with only 4 of the starters surviving.) as he takes his last opportunity to look at possible combinations before he chops 10 from the training squad.

England: Abendanon (Bath), Sackey (Wasps), Noon (Newcastle), Catt (London Irish, capt) Lewsey (Wasps), Barkley (Bath), Perry (Bristol); Sheridan (Sale), Regan (Bristol), Stevens (Bath), Shaw (Wasps), Kay (Leicester), Haskell (Wasps), Moody (Leicester,) Dallaglio (Wasps). Replacements: Mears (Bath), Vickery (Wasps), Corry (Leicester), Worsley (Wasps), Gomarsall (Harlequins), Wilkinson (Newcastle), Cipriani (Wasps)

Hard to tell how this team will perform if you ask me. Barkley at 10 is a big call, does this mean Hodgson is going to miss out? Hope Sackey gets some ball beacuse his defensive game has improved no end so I want to see if he really can step up with some consitency. Again that pack looks monstrous, if there is one thing we are not short of at the mo, is World class tight 5 players, it's very difficult to choose a first and second string as any combination of them would muller most International packs, anyone of them who misses out is just unlucky.

France have named the squad of 22 that the starting 15 will come from. Interesting to see Michalak and Pelous back in (If Pelous plays he equals the great Phillipe Sella's record for 111 French caps).

France squad: Backs: C Poitrenaud; A Rougerie, C Heymans, V Clerc, D Marty, Y Jauzion, D Skrela, F Michalak, P Mignoni, J-B Elissalde. Forwards: R Martin, Y Nyanga, S Betsen, J Bonnaire, S Chabal, J Thion, F Pelous, D Szarzewski, R Ibanez, J-B Poux, P de Villiers, O Milloud

Saturday will be interesting to watch and watch it I shall.

I have to admit I was surprised at how Wales played on Saturday, but in their defence, I don't think they expected England to play in the style they did. It was like they were regressing to the forward-heavy dominance I recall from when I first started watching English Rugby (and understand what was going on).

While I don't feel the England squad is strong enough to mount a serious defence of their title, I think it would be unwise to write them off entirely. The World Cup isn't always won by the prettiest team playing the most attractive rugby (we proved that ourselves in 2003!).

In any case, your comment is spot on - I don't expect great things from my team, but soooo much rugby on telly, how can you complain?

I think this man will have a good tournament. Difficult choice between him and Dallaglio though. Any thoughts?

fallbayuk said:

I think this man will have a good tournament. Difficult choice between him and Dallaglio though. Any thoughts?

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Dallaglio I think playing wise is no longer more than a 30-40 minute player at test level, and overall the likes of Haskell/rees probably offer more in pure playing terms. However I think more important is what he brings to the field in terms of leadership, experience and that sheer hatred of losing that made England so good in 2003. He'll go for that reason, and the fact that the only other captain material in the squad (Vickery and Catt) can't be relied upon to stay fit for the whole tournament, so they may need him for that role as well.

Doesn't look like Hodgson is going, but was there ever any doubt given he's been injured for most of the season when taken in combination with the fact that he's never done anything for England, is pretty suspect defensively and generally seemed to fall apart under the pressure of test rugby, I'm not surprised.

Centres looks pretty weak for England. The only two with real experience are Catt and Tindall. Catt is class, but can he cope with a rigorous WC schedule I'm not sure. Tindall looks to be missing out given his injury leaving Hipkiss, Flood, Barkley, Farrell, Noon and Tait to choose from, all of whom are not hugely proven at this level, are injury prone or ******* useless (Step forward Jamie Noon)

I think England can make a reasonable fist of a defence of the World cup, but I think in the latter stages the pressure will magnify the fact that the squad will be lacking experience at test level and simply haven't played enough together.

this france game will be interesting, i have no doubt that we are putting out a 'weaker' team to give less information to the french and the rest of the top teams about where we are right now.

catt and barkley should be interesting, they are both very similar players imo (to be expected really), i see barkley as a long term replacement for a player like catt, though with farrell possibly hitting form (and being able to kick from hand) i can see barkley being left behind, which is a shame.

I think that we will lose to SA, forcing us to face the aussies in the QF, which is a horrible prospect!

Larry has to go, we need more larrys carries! though agree he is not a full game player.

News just breaking on BBC that Dave Strettle has broken a metatarsal in training That probaly leaves the door open for Sackey or Lewsey (who has been very much out of favour with BA since he took over) to take a wing berth in France.

**Edit http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6936464.stm

Looks like BA isn't comitting himself to a decision yet, there may be a little hope for Dave 'Dai Duckham' Strettle.

not sure why lewsey hasnt been in favour with BA, he is a big game player and a bloody hard hitter for a back!

He has lost a lot of form and had a couple of 'mare games in an England shirt. I think things aren't helped with Wasps playing him in a variety of positions (Inside and Outside Centre and Wing). BA has gone on record as saying he see's Lewsey as a Winger and not a Fullback so Josh needs to show form on the wing. Saturdays game will be a chance to see if the new coaching setup and the conditioning camp has given him the confidence he needs to find his old spark.

It's been confirmed that Strettle is now out the World Cup. The lad isn't having much luck at the mo, what with missing the SA tour because he was the worst sufferer with the mystery 'Stomach Virus' and had to be hospitalised and now this.

Scottish pack looking very very good at the mo in the game against Ireland, pushing the Irish pack all over the field. 7-3 to Scotland currently.

**Edit** Now 24-13 to Scotland
The Scotish pack is destroying the Irish, it's only the Irish three quarters that are keeping them in it.

**Edit 2** Scotland win 31-21, good performance from Scotland, athletic and agressive. England currently losing 6-8 to France

So England lost, cos of a bullocking run by Mr Barbarian himself, Chabal.

Thought england did well considering we had Barkley at 10 (he plays 12 for Bath for goodness sake!).

Apparently the reason Lewsey had been out of favour was that he's (supposedly) been a bit of a negative influence on the squad, not being very postitive, so say the rumours. Though he was OK today, nothing special. Sackey did very well and apart from the missed tackle on Chabal Abendannon has probably done enough to go to France.

Forward were strong, bullied the french in the scrums but not in the lineout and we were turned over a little too much in the 1st half cos of our size, less mobile.

Catt was outstanding actually, the only person of the backs who had a genuinely good day. Very good vison, great hands. Thought Noon's tackling was as ever huge, but didn't do anything else.

On the showings of the last 2 games backline should be

Perry
Wilkinson
Robinson
Catt
Hipkiss
Sackey/Cueto if fit
Abendanon


I like Lewsey. love his big tackling at FB, but he's off form.

its quite amazing the level of player that catt still is. he has to go to the WC :]

Catt is a Rugby freak As he gets older he gets better and better (and better built physically as well) Have been watching the Documentries and replaid games from previous World Cups on ESPN Classics and there is no way that the person Lomu ran through in '95 is the same person playing yesterday.

As to the game yesterday, our main problem was not making the scoreboard tick over for the amount of territory we had. We spent quite a bit of time in the French 22, we needed at least 3 points every visit, we could easily have won that game without the need to get over the whitewash. Matters wern't helped by Lewis who to this day amazes me that the IRB think he is of the standard of an International referee, he spent the game missing constant infringements from both sides but wasted all his time blowing up for things he thought he'd seen or poor interpretations of the laws

From the stands I was quite encouraged by the England display. A one and a half fifteen pushed the full French side very close to defeat. The two defensive lapses that led to tries were pretty annoying - Lewsey partly at fault for both surprisingly. Shaw provided heaps of grunt in the scrum again and Perry looked snappy too.

Worsley has played himself out of the squad in my opinion. He's too heads down to be a proper 7 and doesn't do enough of the ugly stuff to warrant being picked at blindside either.
Barkley looked useful although I think he will probably spend most of the World Cup covering 10/12 from the bench.

Lay off basher Noon. He plays to his strengths and his strength is flattening people.

All opinions subject to change when I get around to watching the TV coverage.

England World Cup final 30 man squad announced today, as follows;

Backs (14): M Cueto (Sale - Age 27, 19 caps); J Lewsey (Wasps - 30, 48 caps), J Robinson (unattached - 33, 45 caps), P Sackey (Wasps - 27, 3 caps); D Hipkiss (Leicester - 25, 1 cap), J Noon (Newcastle - 28, 25 caps), M Tait (Newcastle - 21, 12 caps); M Catt (London Irish - 35, 70 caps), A Farrell (Saracens - 32, 4 caps ); O Barkley (Bath - 26, 17 caps), J Wilkinson (Newcastle - 28, 59 caps); A Gomarsall (Harlequins - 33, 26 caps ), S Perry (Bristol - 29, 11 caps), P Richards (London Irish - 29, 6 caps).

Forwards (16): G Chuter (Leicester - 31, 12 caps), L Mears (Bath - 28, 16 caps), M Regan (Bristol - 35, 37 caps); P Freshwater (Perpignan - 34, 7 caps), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks - 28, 13 caps), M Stevens (Bath - 24, 13 caps), P Vickery (Wasps - 31, 54 caps); S Borthwick (Bath - 27, 28 caps), M Corry (Leicester - 33, 56 caps), B Kay (Leicester - 31, 46 caps), S Shaw (Wasps - 33, 36 caps); L Dallaglio (Wasps - 35, 79 caps), N Easter (Harlequins - 28, 5 caps), L Moody (Leicester - 29, 45 caps), T Rees (Wasps - 22, 5 caps), J Worsley (Wasps - 30, 59 caps).

The people chopped in the final cut were;

Omitted: N Abendanon (Bath), D Cipriani (Wasps), T Flood (Newcastle), J Haskell (Wasps), C Hodgson (Sale), T Palmer (Wasps), M Tindall (Gloucester), K Yates (Saracens).

Feel sorry for Abendanon he was a threat on Saturday and was not exactly poor in defence. Surprised with Haskell's omission, it's fairly certain he'll play a big part in Englands future, also surprised with Flood losing out as well, Hodgson and Tindall is understandable since they have no game time since their injuries.

I'm a little surprised to see Flood not make the final squad but perhaps it is a little too soon for him.
There's an alarming lack of depth in some areas though. Hooker, flyhalf and openside flanker in particular. I mean would you really want Lee Mears starting against the All Blacks FFS?
There's a lack of big game experience at scrumhalf too.

Our best XV have the potential to beat all comers but a few injuries to key players will turn us into also rans pretty swiftly.

quite surprised about abendanon as well.

was reading about sheridan earlier, used to bench 215kg!

Morba said:

quite surprised about abendanon as well.

was reading about sheridan earlier, used to bench 215kg!

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Yeah, he was a backrow back at the start of his career too.
This is back when Bris had a few players under the age of 32 in the first team