Pool A - New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia

[James]

8 September 2023​	France	v​	New Zealand	Stade de France, Saint-Denis
9 September 2023​	Italy	v​	Namibia	Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne
14 September 2023​	France	v​	Uruguay	Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
15 September 2023​	New Zealand	v​	Namibia	Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
20 September 2023​	Italy	v​	Uruguay	Allianz Riviera, Nice
21 September 2023​	France	v​	Namibia	Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
27 September 2023​	Uruguay	v​	Namibia	Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
29 September 2023​	New Zealand	v​	Italy	Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
5 October 2023​	New Zealand	v​	Uruguay	Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu
6 October 2023​	France	v​	Italy	Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu

 

[Uppercut]

Kicking off with a massive game is a great idea. So good for building hype.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

France should dick us but if we fart out a win I can see us winning the comp.

 

[James]

France should dick us but if we fart out a win I can see us winning the comp.

I'd agree but with the breaking news that Natamack is out of the tournament, that's a massive blow to them.

 

[Molehill]

I wouldn't be surprised if the first match of the tournament is also the last.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Definitely the group least likely to produce a shock. ABs and les bleus through or your money back.

 

[Molehill]

And it doesn't really matter who wins that opening game, because you're most likely going to get one of Ireland or SA in the QF's.

 

[ashley bach]

France should dick us but if we fart out a win I can see us winning the comp.

Quietly confident we can slip one on the frogs first up tbh.
France have a very good cup record but they tend to build and get stronger as the tournament proceeds.

 

[ashley bach]

And it doesn't really matter who wins that opening game, because you're most likely going to get one of Ireland or SA in the QF's.

That's true but would much much prefer to play Ireland(who haven't won a knockout match in a world cup) than the Springboks.

 

[Molehill]

That's true but would much much prefer to play Ireland(who haven't won a knockout match in a world cup) than the Springboks.

Mind you, the Spain Women's Football Team had never previously won a knockout match either.....

Personally, I think you'd be better off against SA. You know what you're getting with them and know how to beat them.

 

[Flem274*]

I'm more confident that both sides can win their QF than I am that they can win the whole thing.

It will be a bloody hard road just to make the final. The other side of the draw should arrive much fresher.

 

[Molehill]

I'm more confident that both sides can win their QF than I am that they can win the whole thing.

It will be a bloody hard road just to make the final. The other side of the draw should arrive much fresher.

Remember that average teams have to expend just as much energy to defeat other average teams.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I wouldn't be surprised if the first match of the tournament is also the last.

Do you think the whole tournament will be cancelled after 1 match? Brave call.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

And it doesn't really matter who wins that opening game, because you're most likely going to get one of Ireland or SA in the QF's.

Scots could beat one of them. It might come down to bonus points, points differential etc. to determine that pool.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I feel sorry for Italy. They've improved a lot but are in a terrible pool.

 

[Molehill]

Do you think the whole tournament will be cancelled after 1 match? Brave call.

Yes, just waiting for the Predictions thread to start where I can put my random thought.

Although, as an England fan, it would put us out of our misery a lot quicker.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

We are getting destroyed at Twickers by SA. They've been magnificent.

 

[Quaggas]

Stay by the phone for a call from Eddie - "No worries, mate, they're peaking too early."

Followed by a call here about "...this negativity is what's wrong with SAR, mate"

 

[debbie290]

Hope France will win the RWC 2023 trophy.

 

[ripper868]

Namibia by 15 with that line up tbh.