2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

Its comical alright, celebrating like they have won something but its a boost of confidence that could stand to them in the knockouts which they should be very fresh for.

I wonder could we have an all northern hemisphere semi final line-up? Its looking very possible.

Pretty bitter observations there. Ireland were dancing on their lap of honour last night, what's the difference in that case?

We beat a good team

Pathetic response.

Ah come on. Wales just qualified and have an easy QF. They have cause for celebration. We partied even though we're yet to qualify and best case scenario we face NZ. If any team should feel silly for celebrating it's us.

Wales are practically in the semi-finals when a lot of people tipped them to go out in the pool stages, including almost all entries in the Boards prediction thread.

Of course they will celebrate.

Scottish fans must be raging considering what they have to contend with to get to the last four from here.

Rugby in Australia was always up against it. Someone in Brisbane told me that when the Reds won Super Rugby a few seasons back you still had to wait for all the league news, no matter how minor, to be over before it was reported on local TV news.

This could be their Lens '99 moment and they turn things around from here, but it won't be for Wales who have managed to paper over the cracks again.

WR will probably go now and tweak the rules to compensate for it.

I know you're joking but..

Whoever made the point that Tonga would have beaten Scotland with another month together is onto something. They have the makings of a very good team, Shaun edwards could do wonders with them but it’s the case with Fiji too that some if the Island teams have adapted their game to compete with tier 1 countries and their skill level and athleticism is equal to or superior to most of the top teams.

that said Ireland will be putting a big score on Scotland.

Well I think it is magnifided this year due to Ireland being very strong but having a difficult route to the semi finals while England and Wales are at their weakest in 25 years but both can make the semis without playing a top team. Before the WC started, Ireland were ranked no.1 and would have to play 3 of the next 4 ranked teams to reach the semis. England and Wales were ranked 8th and 10th respectively and would play no higher than the 6th and 7th ranked teams on route to the semis.

I don't think we have a particular dislike of Scotland, more a lack of respect. Respect has to be earned and Scotland hasn't earned ours recently (much like NZ didn't respect us when we couldn't beat them). My impression is that most Irish fans feel a bit sorry for Scotland right now, they are at their strongest in a long time (better than England and Wales) but the WC draw means they most likely will go out at the group stage.

With Wales, maybe it is an over-the-top dislike but I definitely think that is reciprocated. Maybe more so reciprocated by a certain section of Welsh fans who never really bought into their regions and hate the Irish provinces. Wales out-performed us at international level for many years (particularly at WCs) despite both having similar levels of talent available, it's impossible that they out-perform us again this year despite us having much more talent available.

England is a special case. Apart from the historical aspects, they have always been strong in rugby, and they have always known it. They have generally had a lack of respect for the other home nations, fine when they are stronger than the others but they can't expect huge respect from us when we are a lot stronger than them (not that I think that England except more respect from us, they are well aware of the lay of the land currently).