2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

oso92

Scotland were very good, and look more cohesive than the 6nations. I’m definitely more nervous than I was but a couple of observations.

France…you can only play what’s in front of you but they were rusty. They were also trying things that I’ve never seen that team try before. Way more Unstructured than usual and the way to beat this Scotland team is structure.

Scottish pack…ours are way better, and we have much better depth. The way to beat Scotland is to beat the living daylights out of them for the first 60 and then let loose. France didn’t do it, I’d imagine we will.

Their 9…with White potentially out, Price will start. He can be targeted and I’d bet on us to seriously disrupt his game.

DVDM…great going forward but doesn’t have a clue in defence. Can be got at.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120972161#Comment_120972161

Scotland were good and are playing well, not sure France looked rusty so much as tired, I reckon they're training through these fixtures but they won't have had the build up they'd have wanted.

Ribs1234

Commentator on Amazon said he’d failed his HIA and wouldn’t be returning. Things look worse for Farrell now

Dubinusa

I thought France were poor. They look undercooked. In my opinion, the kiwis look the best team pre world cup. Scotland are playing well and with luck, could get out of the group.

Getting close to the big show. I thought that France would be the favorites but, the kiwis are getting their act together. They could be the favorites right now.

Clegg

I'm not too worried about Scotland yet. They're ramping up far faster than us in order to peak against South Africa in their opening fixture. We're looking for a slower burn later into the tournament.

Dave_The_Sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120971150#Comment_120971150

I'm confident too, don't get me wrong. We shouldn't have any issues with Scotland. Who knows though.

Shehal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120972400#Comment_120972400

2nd best team behind Ireland.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120972400#Comment_120972400

The favourites thing is bandied about a lot, and the media will get plenty of milage out of predictions and opinions but its all just nonsense.

The world cup will be won by one of 6 teams and most likely one of 4 teams SA, Ire, Fra or NZ.

The team that can get the most of their irreplaceable players onto the field for the final in the freshest condition will win the competition. All 4 teams are capable of beating each other on any given day.

In 2019 South africas easy run in the knockouts set them up against an english team who were badly fatigued after beating NZ, and they romped home.

So players like Ardie Savea, scott barrett, aaron smith, dupont, ringrose, dorris, keenan, Aldritt can be replaced but never like for like and losing players like them makes each side a completley different prospect just like SA now that Am and dejager are out.

TheRona

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120973056#Comment_120973056

Let's not forget the freakish results that can always throw a spanner in the works. SA were easily beaten by NZ in the pools, but ended up with an easier quarter and route to the final than NZ. There will be upsets in this RWC, which always makes things interesting.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120974220#Comment_120974220

SA losing to NZ is hardly a freakish result.

Tbe best thing about this world cup is ghat Any of the 4 sides Ireland, France , SA and NZ are very close and any side could beat the other on any given day, so it should make for some tense and close knockout games.

Sides like Wales, England, Australia could be caught by a lower tier side.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120971705#Comment_120971705

Semi-Final yes , Final no.

If any of them make a Semi final they'll be playing one of Ireland, South Africa , France or NZ depending on how the groups and QF's play out on

Not a chance they beat any of them.

Cookiemunster

Ntamack did his ACL in Saturday. Out for the season.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120972161#Comment_120972161

Agree - The way to beat Scotland is to choke the life out of them.

Grind them down and don't let them play their game

It's why France , despite being an infinitely better team going back a long time often to struggle to put them away because they tend to allow Scotland to play instead of just sticking it up the jumper and suffocating them.

Ireland and SA both have the game plans to stifle the Scottish game reasonably effectively, although without Pollard I think SA will have a harder time than they'd like because Libbok doesn't have a great tactical kicking game and is a mediocre goal kicker at best.

Scotland are a decent team that can and will cause trouble if you give them a sniff , but close them down at source and they don't really have an answer.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120975304#Comment_120975304

That's a huge loss for France...

TheRona

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120974920#Comment_120974920

Lol. Yeah, NZ beating SA is to be expected. The point I was making is that freakish results in the other pools meant that SA ended up with an easier route to the final, despite not topping their group.

Tigerandahalf

Ntamack out is some loss. I would think Ramos the 15 will have to go to 10 now.

Pudsy33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120975546#Comment_120975546

Does he play 10? They have Jalibert and Hastoy who are more than capable

Tigerandahalf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120975570#Comment_120975570

He has played 10 for Toulouse. Dont know who else is in the squad but they are all untried.

bingobango12

Massive loss to France. Pollard, Sexton, Farrell, Ntamack all out or not going into the WC with decent prep.

Quin_Dub

Yeah.. It'll be Jalibert or Hastoy I think.. Ramos "can" play 10 but he wouldn't be the next option after Ntamack.

The loss of the Dupont/Ntamack relationship will be very significant though.

Jalibert hasn't looked convincing the last few times I've seen him play and haven't seen Hastoy play with Dupont at all I don't think but his club relationship with Danty probably put him in the lead for now I'd say.

A2LUE42

Just highlights again how a couple of key injuries could scupper any of the favorites. Hopefully, Ireland doesn't lose anyone else. It's a pity not to see Farrell in action on Saturday, but expecting both teams to try and win without giving anything away that could be used against them at the RWC.

swiwi_

Has anyone seen Stéphane Donaud play at 10? Behind Jalibert and Hastoy but you never know.

Brief_Lives

Cyril Baille may be gone too (5 to 6 weeks minimum).

pickarooney

Ramos played more club games at 10 than Sexton last season. I think they will go with Jalibert but Hastoy is probably nailed on for the 33 now and if Ramos I'd 3rd choice 20 they might bring in a specialist fullback in Dulin or Jaminet.

Quin_Dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120975858#Comment_120975858

Another big loss for them.

Must be horrible for the players having spent the last couple of years building up to this only to get a knock a few weeks out that rules them out.

TheRona

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120975828#Comment_120975828

Very funny. I was just talking to someone about that earlier today. I couldn't think of the 3rd player that was injured ahead of him after Carter and Cruden. Colin Slade!

Pete_Cavan

Previously I was thinking that beating SA in the pool wasn't important for Ireland because they'd end up playing France or NZ in the quarters either way. Now playing France is probably the more attractive of the two so if NZ beat France then we need to be beating SA. It doesn't make beating SA any easier or harder for us there is possibly a bigger reward for winning now.

OldRio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120975285#Comment_120975285

Well. With injuries and an early red card you just never know. Saying that Wales have a habit of not knowing how to exploit teams with only 12 or 13 or 14 players.

AbusesToilets

Shite buzz, Ntamack was set to shine in the tournament. Such cruel fate, massive loss for France and the game as a whole

ionadnapokot

The more Nienabar explains why the Springboks didnt select Pollard I'm now sure Pollard will be selected before 31st Aug deadline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI1HAMIWLUI

Two interesting things:

1. How he says data - "Daawtaw"
2. "40% of our contract are win bonuses" - The coaches salary. Is that odd?

Im sorry to say but he comes across as a snake oil salesman. "I promise you"