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The Rugby Thread

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
So the World Cup in 2023 is going to France.

Interesting as the recommendation had been South Africa.

I'm certainly pleased as I'll probably try and get over to a couple of games, but I wonder why the recommendation was ignored?

bribery.jpg
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
So the World Cup in 2023 is going to France.

Interesting as the recommendation had been South Africa.

I'm certainly pleased as I'll probably try and get over to a couple of games, but I wonder why the recommendation was ignored?

It's a shame that it seems to be the same handful of nations being considered for tournament hosts (Japan obviously the exception). After France it'll be Australia or New Zealand again. Surely Argentina, Italy, Ireland/Wales co-hosting could be considered as well and would also contribute to growing the sport.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
It's a shame that it seems to be the same handful of nations being considered for tournament hosts (Japan obviously the exception). After France it'll be Australia or New Zealand again. Surely Argentina, Italy, Ireland/Wales co-hosting could be considered as well and would also contribute to growing the sport.

I agree that it would be good to spread it as far as possible, but it does also need to be viable.

I think Brexit did for Ireland to be honest, as their bid can't possibly have had any certainty about whether including the Kingspan was viable or not.

As for Argentina/Italy, I'd love them to have it but have they expressed any interest?

Canada or the US is the other place that could easily do it, but there needs to be enough support in the country to make it financially sensible, otherwise you'll end up with loads of empty seats for games that aren't between the biggest countries.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
I agree that it would be good to spread it as far as possible, but it does also need to be viable.

I think Brexit did for Ireland to be honest, as their bid can't possibly have had any certainty about whether including the Kingspan was viable or not.

As for Argentina/Italy, I'd love them to have it but have they expressed any interest?

Canada or the US is the other place that could easily do it, but there needs to be enough support in the country to make it financially sensible, otherwise you'll end up with loads of empty seats for games that aren't between the biggest countries.

I think you’d see good attendance in Canada. USA too but you’d have to go for the smalker stadiums as while I think you’d have a fair few yanks going, you’re not going to fill out those massive 90-100 thou stadiums.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
I think you’d see good attendance in Canada. USA too but you’d have to go for the smalker stadiums as while I think you’d have a fair few yanks going, you’re not going to fill out those massive 90-100 thou stadiums.

Yeah I'd have thought so to, but the crowd for the Sarries game over there (Philly I think) earlier this season was pretty pathetic.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
Yeah I'd have thought so to, but the crowd for the Sarries game over there (Philly I think) earlier this season was pretty pathetic.

You’d have thought a WC would put some more bums on seats but, yeah,the USA is a bit more of an unknown quantity. Canada would be a safer bet, imo.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
I agree that it would be good to spread it as far as possible, but it does also need to be viable.

I think Brexit did for Ireland to be honest, as their bid can't possibly have had any certainty about whether including the Kingspan was viable or not.

As for Argentina/Italy, I'd love them to have it but have they expressed any interest?

Canada or the US is the other place that could easily do it, but there needs to be enough support in the country to make it financially sensible, otherwise you'll end up with loads of empty seats for games that aren't between the biggest countries.

Italy bid on 2019, so there is at least some interest in staging it. Maybe that fluctuates with the performance of their national team, but they'd have the stadia/infrastructure and would probably pull good attendances, even if a lot of it would be British and French fans being able to get there easily.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
54,974
England. Itoje only on the bench ...

Team:
Watson, May, Joseph, Farrell, Daly; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, Hartley, Cole; Launchbury, Lawes; Robshaw, Underhill, Hughes.

Replacements: George, Marler, Williams, Itoje, Simmonds, Care, Slade, Rokoduguni.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
England. Itoje only on the bench ...

Team:
Watson, May, Joseph, Farrell, Daly; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, Hartley, Cole; Launchbury, Lawes; Robshaw, Underhill, Hughes.

Replacements: George, Marler, Williams, Itoje, Simmonds, Care, Slade, Rokoduguni.

Strong team, and a very strong bench.

I think that back line, with Watson at full back, is actually where I see England's future for the World Cup anyway. Much as I love Brown, I think there is scope for a more exciting full-back so we should be getting Watson practice in that area at international level.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
That's about the most 'un-English' backline I think I've ever seen - the two playmakers at 10/12, a silky runner at 13, and then the back three are all attack-minded runners with serious pace. No crash ball centre in sight, no steady dependable but boring players on the wing etc etc.

However to make use of these we will need good ball and it's up to the pack to do the carrying and get us on the front foot. Needs to be a better effort than last week.

Think it will be a very tough game.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
The decision to have a separate pitch in our new stadium for American Stupidball games looks incredibly wise. The Twickenham pitch is a mess. Usually it's impeccable.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
Couple of instances already of Aussies slapping the ball out of the England ball-carrier's hands that's gone un-noticed.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
Hooper's at least three metres offside.

Edit: And that's why you need TMOs in football.
 
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