2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

All the anchors are capable of doing is reading the autocue and their scripted questions for each panellist who already know which aspect they're going to be covering. It has become so robotic

I've literally given you an example in the post you're responding to - the Christian Eriksen incident - where this didn't happen and Jacqui Hurley was a complete pro.

Look, each to their own...

I assume you're covering your earlier baseless assertion with a troll.

Kearney s accent is very hard to listen to, hurley is a very good presenter , heaslip is good but very serious. Thought zebo had a few good points on how certain positions operate in gametime but doesn't articulate as well as heaslip.

You accuse me of having a baseless assertion, i provide evidence of why i think so, you don't have an answer to that so instead you accuse me of trolling.

Well done.

Saying Kathryn Thomas is not evidence of a gender quota system in RTE sport when a more prosaic explanation is that RTE, like every sports broadcaster, moved away from men only sports pundits years ago and there are a generation of women rugby players to consider alongside the men available. Again, evidence of a quota system is not your suspicion or your gut feeling, it's some sort of real world fact that backs up the assertion.

Agree on this, Heaslip comes off as shallow, Ferris is boring, Quinny seems nice but dull, BOD's ok, Fiona is strong in that company. But we really do miss a bit of Giles/Dunphy or even Keano. TV rugby does not need to be dull and worthy, it should be a bit of craic and pundits should be able to generate controversy to keep it spicy. I like the Kiwi commentators and Andy Goode is good for a laugh and a strong opinion, he also fancies Ireland's chances.

Is Cotter the guy who keeps saying "atomised" in contact?

Hayes is not good at all, for me. Nor is she new to the media. She has been doing media work now for a few years at least. Her lack of knowledge on basic information around what is going on in the game is very poor. She is strong on the women's game and well versed on things happening in Munster. She has a cursory knowledge of Connacht and Leinster. Beyond that, she's not good. She's not alone in this. I think Luke Fitzgerald made a howler last week on his podcast when he didn't know what someone had been ruled out of the RWC (can't remember the specific incident).

I always remember her doing the preview on Leinster vs Leicester 18 months ago in Welford Road when she spoke of how Leicester aren't the team they were and were doing much better the previous season. At that point, Leicester were absolutely flying. They were on their way to top of the table and winning the GP final. The previous season, Geordan Murphy had just been sacked, they were struggling badly and ended up finishing mid-table after Borthwick took over. It really underlined how little she followed the game outside of her doorstep despite being on air specifically to preview a big game.

It's not a gender issue. Niamh Briggs is very good, I find. Far more reasoned, articulate and informed. She's not on too much though.

Most pundits are just noise for the most part. It's hard to find anyone who has a combination of analysis and personality. 10-15 years ago, Brian Moore and Matt Williams offered that. Williams hasn't kept up now and has become more biased and failed to move with the times really.

Flannery might be the closest thing to it right now. Anyone who played a decade ago and doesn't work hard at keeping up to speed, falls out of the loop quickly enough. ROG is good but his manner/delivery can be a bit dour at times given how slow he is to get the words out. Trimble is generally good value. Not as good on the analysis but decent and has a personality.

We’ve improved. Defeats bring humility…

i usually watch French coverage. Except when France playing. But I can’t stand Olivier magne.