Yes, the same here Gordon - though with parents from Cork and Waterford I don't really have any choice!
Given that I used to regularly watch one of the Welsh coaches playing club rugby, I would've gone with them. He was part of what thanks to the WRU will be Pontypridd's greatest ever side - the opinion in the valleys was that the regions were created not to improve the Welsh team as claimed, but they didn't like Ponty breaking the monopoly of Cardiff, Swansea, Neath and Llanelli. The obvious response is that they merged 2 of those together but the fact that there is no team representing the valleys is very telling. What showed it in sharp focus was Ponty coming here to play a British & Irish Cup match - it showed how successful Jersey have been over the last few years with the promotions they've had, but also how damaging the regions have been to Ponty as if the system had been left as it was, they would be playing in the Heineken Cup or European Challenge Cup, not the European rugby equivalent of the JPT. It is because of my feelings towards the WRU that I can't support them and with Irish and Scottish ancestry I'll be happy for either of those to do well.
Now England have capitulated in their usual manner I shall be following Wales. Pontypridd is my late father's local team from his birthplace by coincidence.
I presume France played like a side who wanted their coach out. Such a contrast to the Welsh in defeat.. Going to be a great semi in South Africa and New Zealand.
Is not evropean rugby good enough to push all the european nations out of the cup? I saw Argentina were the worst of their group and they gave Írland a defeat.
Argentina have improved immensely over the years. Ireland were seriously depleted through injuries. Wales threw it away early on against an ordinary South Africa. Scotland did what Scotland do which is to come up short whatever the circumstances, harshly this time. The thuggery of the French was put in its place by an outstanding All Blacks performance. Just the way the cookie crumbled this time.
Best teams. The obvious disappointment aside I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Great atmosphere in the grounds and some really entertaining games. If England can learn the difference between playing not to lose and playing to win maybe we will have more games to cheer them on in next time. Great as Japan beating SA was I think I would have to plump for Australia vs Scotland as my favourite game. The Scots really went for it and, unexpectedly, we're in there for the whole duration of the match.
The first time the two have met in the final which is a bit of a surprise. With the impressive display of Scotland against Australia aside it was good of the other northern hemisphere sides to show solidarity with England by being utterly terrible.
Tad harsh on the Welsh - thought they made a terrific fist of it against the Aussies and Springboks before ultimately coming up short. Agree re. France and Ireland though!
A couple of my colleagues were talking about the RWC and my manager said that she enjoyed watching France v Netherlands! (She meant New Zealand)
I bet the all blacks have a few million more fans after this happened! http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/34692514
