Bolded 1- I wouldn't go that far! France have the talent to match anyone

Bolded 2- Not necessarily. Australia are more or less a perfect match up for England, i'd be amazed if they lost that. Wales have been very close against Aus of recent and are nearly due a win in a way.

Bolded 3- Think you're fairly writing off SA there! They're a good bit better than Australia for starters

On 6 nations results I'd have to disagree


Problem there is Eng v Oz is the 3rd oct, Wales v Oz the 10th. I just think there will be a massive backlash for Wales to face if Australia are coming off a defeat to England


Yeah possibly. I just think once it's into sudden death mode with the home advantage either Wales or England would have the beating of SA. Might be too much wishful thinking mind

Have you met him?

Perhaps, but I'm just thinking back to 2007 when Ireland should have won 6n and had a miserable world cup

I forgot there's matches in Cardiff, could Wales get a home quarter? That would be a huge advantage alright!

Course not but have heard plenty accounts of him, and can judge for myself

Nah, they're for pools C & D - so Ireland's quarter final would be there along with France and versus Argentina & New Zealand

Following my essay in post 4076 it's of interest to note that Georgia are now ABOVE Italy in the World Rankings.

RTÉ's Six Nations closing sequence ... Goodbye and godspeed ... its final day will go down in history of the tournament forever.. roll on 2016!

End of an era on Irish television as Tom McGurk and George Hook bow out from rugby on RTÉ.

Isn't George there for the World Cup as well?

RTÉ don't have the RWC, TV3 outbid them for the rights... this was their last match.

Few details I posted (from another thread)

TV3 Ireland offering (outbid RTÉ) - All 48 games, TV3 HD will launch in August

Presenter: Matt Cooper
Lead Commentator: Conor McNamara
Reporter: Sinead Kissane

Studio -
Keith Wood
Shane Jennings
Peter Stringer
Stuart Barnes
Neil Back
Hugo McNeill
Matt Williams
Murray Kinsella
Liam Toland

He still gets paid by RTÉ til the World Cup is over. Clever negotiator

Ffs though don't they realise that half the bloody north can't get TV3 anymore and don't want to watch the other channels!

Vast majority of the north (even north of Belfast) can get Saorview over spill from the south... i'd be surprised if you couldn't receive it wherever you are up north.

Check your location here - http://www.saorview.ie/get-saorview/.../coverage-map/

Can't get it without having to buy a new box or receiver for the tvs with built in Freeview.

And it's not available on Sky. And I live 5 miles from the border.

Ha either put the hand in the pocket or ITV it is

i wouldn't be so complacent, england are in the group of death with wales and australia..they could easily fall at the first hurdle

Is RWC not free to air in Ireland?

That's rubbish if that's the case

I have, in The Sun Inn, Richmond Upon Thames. That's a real rugby pub and is Jason Leonards local too.

Brian is fine, a nice guy.

It is but a good part of the north never had that channel to begin with then a load lost it in the switchover.

I really don't think it will... it will be remembered but not that much I'm afraid as other than a strong victory over the Italians the French have been poor. (also, I've never heard them called "Team England" before).

The thing with Southern Hemisphere teams is that they are NEVER terrified of facing anyone, they all genuinely go into every game thinking they are going to win... they don't put much stock in the 6N, it's only last year the Northern Hemisphere teams gave a reasonable account of themselves during the Autumn Internationals which we all have at home...

NZ will be the strong favourites and rightfully so, they have lost 2 games in 3 years or something ridiculous, and they find a way of getting the win even if they don't play well. South Africa play a very Northern Hemisphere style game, they'll be brutal and front up along with a simple enough group I think they'll punish whoever they play in their Quarter Final.

Australia are a bit of an unknown at present, coaching changes just before their tour last year didn't help, but the Waratahs were class last year and Cheika knows what he's doing... that said, the accepted knowledge in Australia at the minute is that the Tah's will take a step back this year for the greater good of the National team, added in O'Conner looks on fire now he's back playing and Australia are looking good.

I'd put NZ as favourites and then England and South Africa joint second favourites, follwed by Ireland and France.

Strong words from the RFU chief executive saying its "unacceptable" England have come 2nd in the last 4 Six nations tournaments.

Putting the pressure on a bit ahead of the World Cup - mind you they did give Stuart Lancaster a new contract running till 2020 not so long ago...

I think Ritchie was just stating a basic fact, teams want to win trophies. If he'd said 'no it doesn't matter that England haven't won 6 Nations. Second place isn't that bad' RFU would have been attacked for lacking ambition and making excuses for under performing.

The fact RFU have given Lancaster and his team a long term contract, gives them security to continue improving the side. Unless England have a hideous performance at RWC, there's no chance of the management being replaced.

No fair point - we should be going out to win as you say and certainly probably do need to be more consistent.

A refreshing attitude maybe compared to the footballers and cricketers who almost have their excuses lined up before they even start losing.

Ritchie is right - there are ultimately no trophies for coming second. England have 1 Triple Crown to show for 4 years of 'learning'. File that under Not Good Enough. And we conceded NINE tries at Twickenham in this 6 Nations alone. so something is wrong somewhere with the defensive system you would surmise. And for the love of God PLEASE move Robshaw to 6 and let's get a genuine [and quick] openside in, we can't afford to be conceding that many turnovers in the World Cup. Or find another captain [who will perhaps take the 3 points on offer, rather than wait for Hartley to eff up the lineout throw?], which is a tall order in a World Cup year. The irony is that if we win the Pool of Death we would in all probability avoid further SH opposition until the Final, but I am now more hopeful than confident about England's progress that far. The only puzzling thing is why Ritchie extended Lancaster's contract to 2020 earlier this year?
Last edited by Pendragon579 : 25-03-2015 at 19:27

I'd say Lancaster is gone if England don't win RWC tbh.

Home advantage is huge factor

Very strong words but as already said, he's getting close but not enough.

Seen a few complaints about players not included in the player of the tournament on the website, namely the omissions of Warburton and Halfpenny.