Pool D - England, Argentina, Japan, Samoa, Chile

[ripper868]

I don't understand how a shoulder to a blokes head, who has gone off under HIA, failed the HIA, and will miss matches because of the HIA, is converted to 'da refs got it rong' because of an expensive suit.

Interesting to see a few current players actively voicing their displeasure on twitx as well.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

The stars really aligned for us in 2007, didn't they?

Argentina beat les bleus in the first group game, meaning Johnny Frog met NZ in the quarters and produced one of their typically flaky genius performances to beat them (aided by Wayne Barnes unilaterally deciding not to enforce the forward pass law).

Meanwhile we get stiffed 36-0 by RSA first up, do just about enough to stumble through in second, Andy Sheridan scrummages the Wobblies into the floor in the quarters, Jonny kicks the French to distraction in the semis and we put up a far better showing against the Yarps in the final. We even had a bad luck story to tell with Cueto having what looked a fair try disallowed by the TMO.

We like to pretend the 2007 RWC never happened.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

It's not the Japan's of 2015 or 2019 by any stretch, would love them to be, but it's just not quite the same level of cattle. England should run them close, but expect Japan by 10-15 really

Yeah Japan have lost to Fiji as well as one or both of Samoa/Tonga recently, so may struggle. Argentina are looking pretty decent though.

 

[sledger]

Carn Japan

 

[BoyBrumby]

England team for los Pumas on Saturday:

F Steward (Leicester); J May (Gloucester), J Marchant (Stade Francais), M Tuilagi (Sale), E Daly (Saracens); G Ford (Sale), A Mitchell (Northampton); E Genge (Bristol), J George (Saracens), D Cole (Leicester), M Itoje (Saracens), O Chessum (Leicester), C Lawes (Northampton, capt), T Curry (Sale), B Earl (Saracens).
Replacements: T Dan (Saracens), J Marler (Harlequins), W Stuart (Bath), G Martin (Leicester), L Ludlam (Northampton), D Care (Harlequins), M Smith (Harlequins), O Lawrence (Bath).

I guess the most noteworthy exclusions (aside from those cooling their heels for being naughty) are no Sinckler or Youngs in the XXIII.

The 86 year old Dan Cole starts at tighthead in place of big Kyle. I think there's talk of a pectoral pull for the latter though, so that likely explains what looks like an old pals' selection from Borthers.

Interesting to note Alex Mitchell being the preferred #9. No issues at all with the selection but he (and fellow starter Jonny May) were both initially excluded from our 33 man squad completely and were only called up when van Poortvliet (yes, I did have to look up the spelling...) and Anthony Watson were broken in the warm ups.

Doesn't speak of faith in one's initial selections, going from fourth choice to starter in a little over a month, does it?

I'm pretty much resigned to a loss at this point. In, of the other teams in our group, there's only really Chile who I'd back us against with any confidence.

 

[Molehill]

In the absence of Sinckler (and he hadn't exactly been doing a great deal anyway), this looks the best pack we've put out in a while. Curry back makes a huge difference, improves our defence massively. The bookies literally have this as joint favourites. I don't think Argentina are as good as some think (I watched them get walloped by a largely reserve SA team at home). As poor as England have been, this could really go either way.

I think they'll qualify for the QF's ok. Japan are not the side they were, Samoa perhaps more of a threat but they were well beaten by Italy last year.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Interesting to note Alex Mitchell being the preferred #9. No issues at all with the selection but he (and fellow starter Jonny May) were both initially excluded from our 33 man squad completely and were only called up when van Poortvliet (yes, I did have to look up the spelling...) and Anthony Watson were broken in the warm ups.

Doesn't speak of faith in one's initial selections, going from fourth choice to starter in a little over a month, does it?

This is interesting, especially with Borthwick apparently citing 'game management' as the reason Mitchell was left out, after the 6 Nations. I wonder if he is thinking of going away from the kick to death gameplan we have seen from England all game, every game

 

[GIMH]

I guess I’m watching my first game of Rugby in four years tonight. Go England!

 

[ripper868]

I guess I’m watching my first game of Rugby in four years tonight. Go England!

Basically me with the Socerroos.

Vamos Argentina

 

[ashley bach]

The battle of the Falkland Islands resumes. Expecting a low scoring game here with nothing in it at the finish.

 

[Furball]

Why do I get the nasty feeling that England will win this comfortably despite being shite for years?

 

[ripper868]

Decent bit of claret to start the night.

 

[ripper868]

I'd just be calling that a collision, no penalty etc. play on with the lineout at the 22.

That is a joke of a yellow card.

 

[ripper868]

I mean, it's head contact sure, but it's the catcher headbutting the tackler for me, and I'm no England fan.

 

[Molehill]

Rugby is losing the plot with its safety regulations. If they turn that into a red even more farcical.

 

[ripper868]

put a big bit of draw on that, great nudge.

 

[ripper868]

Rugby is losing the plot with its safety regulations. If they turn that into a red even more farcical.

Yeah I think that's one where the framework has really failed - think Kerevi got something similar as the ball carrier vs wales in 2019, the tackler headbutted his elbow and Kerevi saw red.

 

[Ali TT]

Rugby is losing the plot with its safety regulations. If they turn that into a red even more farcical.

If rugby wants to rule out the risk altogether, it needs to reconsider the viability of box and high kicks as they just invite dangerous collisions.

 

[ripper868]

Yellow only from that angle i think - not sure he gets the head from that angle.

Fun night coming up it seems.

 

[ripper868]

Curry upgraded to Red is farcical