Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes, the team who won the World Cup but haven't played like it since.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Big deal we are still the Champs

Re: Rugby Union
 

I'm not denying Jonny Wilkinson won the World Cup but England haven't played a tenth like champions since. They've been distinctly average ever since and went from heros to zeros pretty quickly. This is what I mean by 'a team like England'.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Rebuilding old chap rebuilding ;)

Re: Rugby Union
 

In that case today's result was awful against a 'rebuilding' team like England ;)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Enjoyable though it was, last week's result against Wales is irrelevant and means nothing in terms of the World Cup.

My memories of the last World Cup are that England didn't play particularly well but managed to grind out the results that mattered. That's fine by me as, although I much prefer more flowing rugby, it takes 2 teams to make that happen and there are no prizes for playing attractive rugby and losing.

England's very variable form in the last few years has probably done them a favour as very few people seem to give them a chance. The pressure England are under I believe pales into insignificance when compared to that on New Zealand who've played some astonishing rugby, have been virtually unbeatable over much of the same period and who until very recently would have been viewed as runaway favourites. Personally I think the perennial chokers may once again have peaked too early and that either South Africa or Australia will win.

I'll be very surprised if England get even to the semi-finals but then I was surprised about that last time and look what happened........

As for "heroes to zeros", there's some truth in that but at least they've been heroes :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

I'll be interested to see how England handle France this weekend. Especially as I'll actually be there.

As for the world cup, England will certainly make it out of the group stages but probably in second place rather than group winners almost certainly lining up a quarter final against Wales.

I don't believe that they are there yet i.e. up to the standard they were 4 years ago. Too many people left/retired and as had been said, that takes time to rebuild from. on the other hand it only takes a couple of mistakes at the wrong point and the game can go the other way.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Agree - a lot happened immediately after the last World Cup with retirements of key players and of course a succession of injuries to JW. Given all the problems of JW's successors, the latter especially not only probably cost us points in every match we played but I think took away some of the confidence and self belief that Clive Woodward inspired and which was so instrumental in England winning the cup. Having said all that, I still can't quite explain England's fairly dismal form in recdent times.

France at the weekend? Anyone's guess really. As always, a lot depends on which French team turns up. In any event it won't have much direct bearing on the coming tournament.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Hmmmmmm just been watching the Scotland v. Ireland game and from what I've seen I don't think Ireland can be accused of peaking early. :confused:

Re: Rugby Union
 

A good morale boosting win for Wales today.

Re: Rugby Union
 

And England go in the opposite direction :(
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...sh/6946124.stm

Re: Rugby Union
 

I don't know if it's me but England seem to be playing by number at the moment. Wales ok it was a win but we still have the same problems lineouts and the forwards not being able to control the game. A draw would have been a fairer result Argentina would be a good outside bet IMO another couple of weeks together could bring it all together for them

Re: Rugby Union
 

Given their lack of good international competition Argentina are a very good side. From what I saw they took the game right back to Wales and were unlucky not to score what might have been the equaliser right at the end. Where were the Welsh fans though? The stadium appeared less than half full!

Not sure what any of the home nations have learned from these recent matches though. So far as England's results against France are concerned - they should have won at HQ and deserved to lose in Marseille. Having said that IIRC France have only ever been beaten there once and that was by New Zealand.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Only beaten there once, by Argentina ;)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Correct - but I could have sworn I heard Bill Mclaren say it was New Zealand :confused:

Anyway it's only been done once and with England's away form have been pretty poor for the last few years there were few surprises in the result for me.

What does get up my nose is the poor discipline which doesn't help matters -penalites being given away for no good reason and costly yellow cards. I really do think the players need to grow up, control their emotions and stick to the job in hand.