[Closed] 2015-16 rugby, world cup year

A friend saw gav in Asda (I shit you not) the other day. Said he had no limp and looked strong as ****!
Another friend plays for bris and he said that gav is more professional in his approach than anyone he's ever met (he's played AP rugby previously). Doesn't drink on the coach, meticulous in what he eats and trains like a maniac.

and he's damn sexy!

Actually a lot of coaches have said the same about him.

I'm plannimg on putting 100 quid on wales knocking england out of pool stages. Then I'm happy either way.

I think England will be too strong at home. If Samson doesnt make it and anyone else drops out Wales start to look a bit weak. And we never beat Aus.

Ireland, if they were to win their group would most likely face Argentina in the quarters.

However, as it's the RWC, they will under-perform, scrape out of the group on points difference with Johnny Sexton either injured or misfiring, scoring approx 50% of his kicks, put in a miraculous first half performance against the ABs, stretching out to a +17 point lead at half time, only to concede 47 points in the second half, scoring only 7 with a last minute try, losing by 23 points. 😀

(Cannot wait for the Australia/England/Wales group though - so many permutations.)

The ireland wales game at the last world cup is one of my fav ever games. Wales beat the shit out of ireland that day. The build up to the first try was perfect rugby.

Yeah, hard one to watch but I did enjoy seeing them go out to the French, who should have gone on and won it.

Was there some incident in the French game that pissed off the Welsh? 😆

Cant remember!!! I have blanked it.

@aa you'd have to favour England with the home advantage and your continual inability to beat the weakest Southern Hemisphere side is a hard run to break at a World Cup. That being said I think the teams will take it out of each other and it will possibly mean none progress too far. NZ and the Bok's are red hot favourites

I think these warm up games are a bit of a phoney war, not sure how much we'll learn from them.

I ****ing LOVE the RWC. Whatever happens, and even if england go out in the group stage, I'll still enjoy the **** out of it.
Such a brilliant festival of rugby, the absolute pinnacle. jnr is a bit too young at 19 months to enjoy it, but I have him in training (and I'm not joking) and in 4 years he'ss be prime RWc fodder to join his dad in spectating.

continual inability to beat the weakest Southern Hemisphere side

I know it really pisses me off when we lose to Fiji, Samoa and Argentina we havent managed to lose to Uraguay yet though I dont think.

What Wrecker said.

In 2003 I wore my RWC top (now bagged and stored , still unwashed with beer stains) on every England game even at work for luck. kj01 and I will be doing the same this year.

England will be hard to beat, and are the best England team since 2003 but not up to those dizzy heights. I reckon it's SA this year.

Can't bloody wait!

Gutted I got no tickets

ENGLAND!!!!

Best England team since 2003 doesnt mean much does it?!!

What starting 15 do people expect?

Wales

1/2p
Cuthbert or Liam Williams if he makes it.
Scott Williams
Roberts
North
Biggar
Webb
Faletau
Warburton
Lydiate
Charteris
AWJones
Lee ( please god )
Hibbard
Smith

Yep love the World Cup but pissed off at the cost of tickets and the fact I didn't get any. Some of the prices are ludicrous 🙄

england no chance, to many fragile players and the expectation will be huge. Fragile mentally

Would give a testicle for Wales to win it, can't see past NZ retaining it.

let the bickering commence.

Why? This isn't Wendy.

Watching NZ v SA last weekend made me nervous for the rest. It felt like the whole match was on FF. And the physicality seemed on a different level.

Just had to turn down QF at Twikerd due to friends birthday 🙁

France will cause an upset, despite their current form, they always do something at the World Cup, the only time they have failed to make at least the semi-final was 1991.

Is this likely to be SA's last chance for many years?
I think they have a player quota coming in?

Got tickets with my best mate to see New Zealand / Argentina, and then Australia / Wales. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!

My only concern is that he is a total rugby fan and knows every player and every stat........I just about know the team strips but love watching a good game, and weirdly I am the one who used to play rugby!

After many years at Uni where the welsh fans would cheer for anyone playing England I will most certainly be cheering the Aussies in their match!

I will most certainly be cheering the Aussies in their match!

Me too. Warrens lost his best forwards and England will tear them a new one their, and now our back line is up to the defence with attack options at last. Aus much closer vs Wales, but England to beat both. I do fear our lack of a 7 will cause issues against Aus, so we need to carry and stay standing up / be fast onto the ball or lose by pens.

England V Aus is the decider of that group, Wales will lose to both.

will most certainly be cheering the Aussies in their match!

You awful beast you!

Warrens lost his best forwards

Which ones are these then?

Has anyone got the tickets yet I'm still waiting for mine. Going to the villa to see aus

England V Aus is the decider of that group, Wales will lose to both.

Oh Kryton, I fear you are too optimistic. I feel an embarrassing exit coming on..

The England Wales game will be massive. If Wales get that team I posted on the pitch they will push England close. If Wales get a few points up it'll be squeaky bum time.

I * LOVE the RWC. Whatever happens, and even if [s]england [/s] Wales go out in the group stage, I'll still enjoy the * out of it.

Edited! 😀

Can't wait! Sadly, I feel Wales will go out in the group stage. 🙁

Has anyone got the tickets yet I'm still waiting for mine. Going to the villa to see aus

Umm did yours get delivered by DHL?
I'm getting excited I just need to work out my second team.

anagallis_arvensis - Member

Which ones are these then?

Well Adam, obvs. Samson Lee isn't and hasn't shown he's he force he was made out to be. England forwards - and now with Corbs, back, will shatter them in the scrum. In open play I'd say it was evens, at 7 we are as always at a disadvantage.

Burgess is a blunt instrument IMO, but could actually be a good impact sub running hard and straight from the centres - if we are leading at that point.

Well Adam, obvs.

He was rubbish once the hit was removed. He is also only one forward, you mentioned forwards?

I forget their names AA, they were that bad vs England I dismissed them from my memory

I forget their names AA, they were that bad vs England I dismissed them from my memory

1 Gethin Jenkins
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Samson Lee
4 Jake Ball
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Sam Warburton (Captain)
8 Taulupe Faletaue

All available apart from Samson Lee who you dont rate and doesnt include the "best forwards Warrens lost" which was Adam according to you. You are just making yourself look a bit foolish here. Who are these forwards Warrens lost?

Wasnt that the game Samson did his achiles?

AA, at 5 you missed out AWJ and/or Girafferis.

Rubbish, eh, Kryton? I mean, none of them would make the Lions selection would they? Oh. Hold on....

Corbisiero is over-hyped and not really that good. Burgess isn't even a rugby player yet and the poor lad is being lined up as the next great hero (Or, one assumes, villain to blame).

I'd take Lydiate, Faletau and Hovis over pretty much anyone playing in England these days.

In fact, give me the above, plus POC and Heaslip (Both real quality players) and I'm very happy with it as a pack.

Forgive my memory, I've been drinking prosseco for a while.

Although I do remember England crucifying the Welsh scrum, pretty much being the same players last time around. Or was that my (english) rose tinted glasses? Er, no it was actually real.

Crikey CFH, you do talk some crap about rugby sometimes.

Go Bokke!

wrecker - Member
Crikey CFH, you do talk some crap about rugby sometimes.

Lol, I assumed he was on the rum...

after applying for literally every WC match I could, managed to get tickets in the residents ballot, so got a pair for each of:

Eng V Wales
Aus V Wales
and SF1

never been to WC match before so its gonna be great! 😀

Although I do remember England crucifying the Welsh scrum, pretty much being the same players last time around.

yes, you won a match well done. Shame blathering on about Warren losing his best forwards makes you cone across as a a typical no nothing England rugby bore who cant even remember the name of the opposition players.

Well this has become tetchy very quickly 😆

a_a; How do you think you'll fair without Lee & JD2? I see T james is out, big loss? Is Hp fit and firing? He had a few niggles last year IIRC.
Is Priestland in the squad? Bit confused about that.

Go Bokke!

Having sat and watched the wales SA game with my leg up after acl surgery I cannot believe deVilliers is back playing. It would take serious balls to get back on the pitch after his injury at all never mind so fast.

a_a; How do you think you'll fair without Lee & JD2? I see T james is out, big loss? Is Hp fit and firing? He had a few niggles last year IIRC.
Is Priestland in the squad? Bit confused about that.

Without Lee we are ****ed he's the only decent tighthead in Wales, maybe this Francis guy from Exeter can step up but he looks very unfit and Cementhead loves fit players. Jarvis and Andrews are next and they are not pro level players.
JD we can cope with as we have Scott Williams who is very good to come in. If either of him or Roberts get broken we are screwed. Worrying lack of depth at wing and full back and 10 (hence Priestland) also at 9, back row, loosehead and hooker!!! Our best 23 will give anyone a game but below that were ****ed!

Oh and Tom James wouldnt have made the squad anyway.

Right, thanks. I don't really understand the Priestland/Bath thing. I don't really see the benefit for either party considering he's not going to be available during international windows. Notable because it's a major contributing factor in the Faletau deal collapsing.
I didn't know much about James but it seems he's not a big loss (unless George or Alex get hurt!)

teamhurtmore - Member
let the bickering commence.
Why? This isn't Wendy.

Hmmm....

Well this has become tetchy very quickly

😆 😆

(Tom James? Wtf, is it a slow news day? He's barely been Welsh squad material since he was U20)

(Tom James? Wtf, is it a slow news day? He's barely been Welsh squad material since he was U20)

It doesnt matter AA, at scrum time we are much stronger than you, it's proven. And as you point out yourself, you have no depth. I conceded we are weaker on the ground.

I'm not looking stupid at all, just pointing out the bleedin' obvious. I don't feel the need to name names or use google to satisfy your testosterone levels.

Moving on then...

Enough already!!!

You dont need to name the best forwards you said Warren had lost? Ok, forgive me if I dont take much notice of your valuable contributions. England are favourites because they are at home and are an improving side, wales have not improved. The wales side is very settled and Warren has not lost his best forwards he has just lost a tighthead who was way past his best and had become ineffectual under the new laws.

Wrecker, everything is BIG NEWS on walesonline, just wait till Big Gav plays a vame for Bristol!!

Enough already!!!

He can't help himself :D. I'll stop winding him up now.

He can't help himself

To be fair neither can you

Ha! The Bristol team is going to be ridiculous next year!
Henson, Peel, Evans, Jones, Lam, Morgan, Varndell, Lemi, Perenise (all current or ex internationals, some Lions) and all of the home grown talent plus Steve Borthwick coaching the forwards.

Will they finally get promoted 😆 what are the odds?

The sugar daddy must have deep pockets as he funds Bristol City doesn't he?

Will they finally get promoted

The sugar daddy must have deep pockets as he funds Bristol City doesn't he?

Wow 😯 makes Cuddy seem like the cheap crim (allegedly) he is 😐

Is he the richest sugar daddy in British rugby?

He might well be. He has stated that he wants city and bris in the top tier, but that they'll have to able to stand on their own feet eventually.
The academy is an area they're continuing to develop, but Bristols allocated catchment is criminally small. I fully expect this to be addressed in the near future.

Is Morgan staying I thought I heard rumblings about a return to Wales...he's still no 10 😉

No idea. There are plenty of rumours. I agree that he's no 10, he's best at 15. It seems he's the one pushing for it though.

England are the favorites ???? For what ??? Worst TV commercials ?

I am surprised any of them can show their faces anywhere after those cringe face-fall-off are they really doing that commercials with them getting a lift on the shoulders of some Boy Band into the stadium.

They couldn't even CGI over the shame on their faces in the footage.

I got 2 tickets for England v Wales - they were expensive but the game's sold out so that's the price.

Really looking forward to it, tickets arrived 2 weeks ago.

Anything else going on nr Twickenham - exhibitions etc, 8pm ko so all day to plan.

England are the favorites ???? For what ???

The game against wales, cant see them winning the whole thing but stranger things have happend

The missus has put in for tickets for troops at Kingsholm. Should be a good day out watching Romania or someone beat Scotland. 😀

Maybe Kryton should start his own page just dealing with the past,current and future glory and domination of all others by the England team? The rest of us can talk about the rugby world cup. Scotland are going to win it,the SRU said so!

The game against wales, cant see them winning the whole thing but stranger things have happend

NZ & SA firm favourites, but there's another 5 teams who could win it with some luck.

If Matthew Morgan makes it into the final squad (which he should do) and gets the chance he deserves then I think he is going to surprise A LOT of people who have not seen him play before/heard of him 😉

Suprise them with his lack of tackling, tactical kicking or ability to control a game. He could be useful on the wing but Biggar, Priestland, Hook, Patchel and maybe Anscombe should all be ahead of him at 10.

Maybe Kryton should start his own page just dealing with the past,current and future glory and domination of all others by the England team? The rest of us can talk about the rugby world cup. Scotland are going to win it,the SRU said so!

Why would I? I never made that statement. I'd like to talk about the RWC but this thread is dominated by talk of Wales to date. I'll just lurk until everyone gets bored of that thanks.

Wales wales

I went to Cardiff ([i]wales[/i]) last saturday with the wife and boy. Lovely day we had too. I'll be going to afan (in [i]wales[/i]) next week, and we will be in Blaenau (again, [i]wales[/i])for a lads riding trip for the england vs [i]wales[/i] game, which I'm slightly weary about.

C'mon kryton lighten up mate. It's just rugby.

Wales,Wales;
Bloody great fishes called Wales.
They live in the sea,eat Fishermen for [s]pudding[/s] err tea..
Bloody great fishes called Wales.

Well,let's talk about the side that nobody is apparently mentioning.What is going on with Sam Burgess...Really starting to come on in the back row,but still in the camp as a centre. If Shackleton or Halifax,or whatever the head of the selection sub committee's name is, keeps him instead of the guy that forced bath to play him at centre then he will have to get game time to justify the decision. That isn't something that will improve England.
My theory is that SL has an AA type mancrush on him.

I want to talk about Cipriani and this drink driving thing, has anyone ever known a case where it has been dragged out for months????

You blow into the machine, you fail you blow into another machine at the Station you fail you are hauled before a magistrate within 48hrs and get banned.

You refuse to give a blood test, thought of as a fail banned.

What the heck is going on?

Didn't mention Wales once DOH

Maybe not as simple as that,he may have been in the passenger seat by the time the feds arrived,but they were acting on a tip off. If he had been driving surely things would have gone as you state above. Not as straight forward as it was when the [b]Welsh[/b] player Mongo went for chips n dips in a golf cart.

Or when Welsh player Scott Gibbs stole a Taxi 😆

Ok didn't think of that scenario but even if that was the case they are going to take about 9 months to sort it out. Something fishy, may be the arresting Officer was a big Cipriani fan.

As I asked earlier what do people want to see team wise?

An england back line of

Farrel
That exeter kid with the daft hair
Burgess
Barritt
Ashton
Goode

Would suit me.

Care
Ford
Slade
JJ
Watson
Nowell or Ashton
Brown