Pissed I'm gonna miss this. Football is now my go-to sport due to ease of access but I'm my heart I'm a rugby boy - played it for 7 years and attended many, many games (quins 4 life, yo).

Honestly, I'm still not convinced about England. We've definitely turned the post-world cup corner and made a decent new team but I've yet to see us convince regularly over 2 halves. We either start strong or finish strong, but rarely both and I think they'll end up costing us.

I wouldn't take Burgess. It's too soon. The boy has talent, aye, but his positional play is not there yet. If we had a really solid first 15 I'd say take him, but as it is I don't think we can afford the luxury.

Going to England Wales.

Hope so. I have Wales to win the whole lot at 25/1

Lord_Griff wrote:

Hope so. I have Wales to win the whole lot at 25/1

I think that's a good bet. My head says Wales can't do it...but, they have it in them. Tasty team at times.

Yar. How much did you stick on it?

Also, assuming there's a fair few English here...fave member of the world cup winning squad? Sorry for appropriating this thread but I haven't had anyone to talk rugby with in nearly a decade...

I'm looking forward to watching a lot of rugby, but I don't follow it closely enough to take part in any conversation. I wouldn't know most current players if I found them in my soup.

Very excited about this. Going to Cardiff for one of the quarter finals. Match is likely to be New Zealand vs France or Ireland. Should be good.

Nice one.

Apparently, a new batch of tickets have gone on sale again. Looking through the list, it seems to be tickets for every game.

I have even been given permission to do a rugby world cup assembly at school! Rather enjoyed putting it togethet earlier today.

In terms of my favourite from the 2003 squad...Wilkinson would have to be my main choice but I find that almost too obvious. I may have to go with Dallagio instead. An absolute beast and a real legend of the game.

Also because I sold him a copy of The Two Towers on dvd whilst on work experience at WH Smith in Richmond. He was a lovely customer.

I'm not attempting to be a dick here as I love Rugby, League mainly, but I haven't watched Union for a while as there was a period it seemed onto primarily revolve around the defensive grind and scoring points via kicks with barely a try.

Is the current style of popular play still similar, or has it opened up a bit more? I'll still watch, just something I've been pondering.

Cheers mucka, good to hear.

The southern hemisphere have always played with a bit more of the open style, New Zealand being the main suspects. This style of play is also beginning to come through in the northern hemisphere teams too. This current England team seems to have a lovely open attacking style when it all clicks. The final day of this years six nations was a wonderful, try crazy day of rugby.

However, that defensive grind and kicking for both points and territory is still evident in many,many games. Saying that, a lot of analysts and reporters are saying that this could be a really exciting world cup with lots of open play and thrilling matches.

Edit: I didnt realise we were comparing to ten years ago....in that case, yeah it is a hell of a lot more open!

Aaroncupboard wrote:

I think Wales will seriously struggle without Halfpenny and Webb.  I have them down to be beaten by...fiji!

Not a chance!

Aaroncupboard wrote:

In terms of my favourite from the 2003 squad...Wilkinson would have to be my main choice but I find that almost too obvious. I may have to go with Dallagio instead. An absolute beast and a real legend of the game.

Both banging shouts - don't worry about being "obvious" mate, we both know that for a time that Wilko was the complete rugby player.

I mean, fuck the kicking - we all know that - but that boy could also tackle. I mean, Jesus wept he made some slamming stops. I had the (mis)fortune of seeing him play for Newcastle against Quins in the Tetley Bitter Cup Final many years back and he beat us pretty much single handedly - what a beast.

I may be biased but it's gotta be Will Greenwood for me. Love that man.

Just realised the game is in London. Thankfully I realised prior to booking the car to Wales.

Good luck.

England?