About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

[Der Kaiser]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Anybody justifying Italy's risk free place in a closed format 6 Nations after that needs to give their head a wobble. 20 years in the 6 Nations to serve up that. Relegation for that competition needed immediately.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Anybody justifying Italy's risk free place in a closed format 6 Nations after that needs to give their head a wobble. 20 years in the 6 Nations to serve up that. Relegation for that competition needed immediately.

I agree about Italy, let’s see what New Zealand do in the Quarter Finals before thinking they’re back.

[chrisp_1927]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Anybody justifying Italy's risk free place in a closed format 6 Nations after that needs to give their head a wobble. 20 years in the 6 Nations to serve up that. Relegation for that competition needed immediately.

2 years ago I was all for Italy just being dumped and replaced with Georgia, they'd made virtually no progress in 20 years, compared to the giant strides made by the likes of Japan and Argentina when exposed to regular top level tournaments. Do feel a bit sorry for Italy being judged solely on last night, as I don't think that's symbolic of the team they've been over the last 2 seasons.

But definitely agree, from a positive point of view that Georgia and Portugal have shown they deserve a shot. They'd do well to be worse after 20 years in the 6 nation's than Italy are.

Either 2 leagues with promotion and relegation. Or an extended tournament (could still have top 6 playing each other at traditional Feb/march times to finish tournament, but maybe have Romania, Georgia, Portugal, Spain games over the summer period that all count towards the tournament).

As or more importantly surely a time for world rugby to stump up the funds for a Georgian and maybe a joint Portuguese/Spanish club side to play in the URC .

I do worry that the chances of 6 nation's changes ended with the private equity investment though. I think TV audience/commercial revenue is going to be a lot more important to them than growing the game. Personally I'd love trips to Tbilisi and Lisbon, but I think the money men prefer Rome

[JamesWales]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Anybody justifying Italy's risk free place in a closed format 6 Nations after that needs to give their head a wobble. 20 years in the 6 Nations to serve up that. Relegation for that competition needed immediately.

There is absolutely zero justification for rugby's closed shops. It's such a remnant of the old boys network.

100% there should be promotion between the six nations and the European International Championships.

Imagine in a few years Wales playing away to Spain in the Bernabeu or visiting the beautiful city oh Tbilisi.

Rugby needs to open up

[chrisp_1927]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

There is absolutely zero justification for rugby's closed shops. It's such a remnant of the old boys network.

100% there should be promotion between the six nations and the European International Championships.

Imagine in a few years Wales playing away to Spain in the Bernabeu or visiting the beautiful city oh Tbilisi.

Rugby needs to open up

My only issue with straight promotion/relegation is does it actually give the developing teams a proper chance. The evidence from Japan and Argentina shows that a consistent period in a top competition pays dividends. While obviously better than the current scenario, I do wonder if a year in and year out of the main comp would have no big impact on development and provide a stick for the cynics to beat the idea with. Wether in the 6nations or some other way, there should be a commitment for the likes of Georgia/Portugal to be playing at least 5 meaningful games against top sides a year. You're 100% right about the closed shop and it's an absolute disgrace

[City123]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Georgia really cocked this one up

[Robin Friday's Ghost]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

There is absolutely zero justification for rugby's closed shops. It's such a remnant of the old boys network.

100% there should be promotion between the six nations and the European International Championships.

Imagine in a few years Wales playing away to Spain in the Bernabeu or visiting the beautiful city oh Tbilisi.

Rugby needs to open up

Back in 1981 I went to the USSR on holiday. Quite a adventure back then, deep in the Cold War era. Wales were playing The Soviet Union in Moscow so that was the icing on the cake as I got a ticket. As it happens, for whatever reason, the match was switched to Tbilisi. I can never see the name without a sense of disappointment. I ended up having to look for the score in Pravda's "sports page" 😂 Oh and we lost 3-0.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Portugal 7 Australia 3 inside fifteen minutes. I rubbished Wales after their performance against Portugal, but I think I was being unfair, they’re a good side and the try they just scored had a bit of everything to it.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Portugal 7 Australia 3 inside fifteen minutes. I rubbished Wales after their performance against Portugal, but I think I was being unfair, they’re a good side and the try they just scored had a bit of everything to it.

Looks like their try scorer is going to get a red card though.

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Zammit hat trick..but the third try was dubious...very dubious

[the other bob wilson]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Ireland are looking ominously good.

[Moodybluebird]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Ireland are looking ominously good.

That has to be the understatement of the year Bob.

[Ivortheengine]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Didn’t realise ITV were showing a training session on tv last night. The media were going over the top with their praise for Townsends team in the build up to the game. Ireland played well but Scotland were hopeless. A few miles south of the Stade De France their EuroStar was waiting for them at Gare De Nord. The same thing could happen to Ireland next weekend.

[Majorblue]

Re: About time we had a rugby World Cup thread?

Didn’t realise ITV were showing a training session on tv last night. The media were going over the top with their praise for Townsends team in the build up to the game. Ireland played well but Scotland were hopeless. A few miles south of the Stade De France their EuroStar was waiting for them at Gare De Nord. The same thing could happen to Ireland next weekend.

Ireland .looked unbeatable for an hour but New Zealand have been getting better and better.

Going to be an interesting match up and a shame that one of them are going home early especially when you see the standard in the other half of the draw.