I've certainly switched off from the rugby World Cup. I couldn't even tell you when the quarters are taking place, although I'll make sure I know. The problem with shortening it is that it's such a physical game that the players genuinely need plenty of time between each game.
Is it anywhere near their proper team ? Think there are only a couple of their normal team playing, and giving Pollard gametime. Not really any meaningful games now until the quarters, bar Sweaties v Ireland
As I feared Borthwick has chosen Ford at fly half and Farrell at inside centre, for the Samoa game. Unbelievably, Arundel is not in the match day squad after scoring 5 tries last game !
There will definitely be some needle between Ireland and Scotland this weekend. The media have as expected ramped the hysteria up. Not one single member of Ireland’s management or squad has commented anything other than respect for Scotland. The same respect has not been returned. Townsend, Redpath, Ashman (who the fook is he) and now Kinghorn have stoked the fires. Gloves are off. War has been declared. We know who will faulter. There will be no mercy
And by the way, as gloves are off, this World Cup is in France and not UK/IRE because the Scot’s voted for France. Shame
Why do Ireland have a combined team for north and south in rugby but no north and south combination in football?
I hope so. The drivel coming out of Scotland is poor. It’s not even their media. It’s their players and management. I was fearful Ireland would struggle to get up to the emotional and physical pitch required and be caught cold. Scotland have now ensured that won’t happen.
They are building nicely. Must be great for them to be coming in under the media spotlight. They won’t be far away.
I looked this up once because I’m sad. It’s something like there was a power struggle between the north and south hence the FAI split from the northern Irish equivalent. Rugby, cricket, athletics etc. settled any such disputes.