Here comes the World Cup! Oh, and an English Premiership Cup match too.
Exciting rugby on the telly this week
Friday 20th September
| Japan 30 – 10 Russia | 11:45 | ITV / S4C |
Saturday 21st September
| Australia 39 – 21 Fiji | 05:45 | ITV |
| France 23 – 21 Argentina | 08:15 | ITV |
| New Zealand 23 – 13 S Africa | 10:45 | ITV |
| Exeter 28 – 14 Bath | 15:15 | BT Sport 3 |
Sunday 22nd September
| Italy 47 – 22 Namibia | 06:15 | ITV |
| Ireland 27 – 3 Scotland | 08:45 | ITV |
| England 35 – 3 Tonga | 11:15 | ITV |
Monday 23rd September
| Wales 43 – 14 Georgia | 11:15 | ITV / S4C |
Tuesday 24th September
| Russia 9 – 34 Samoa | 11:15 | ITV4 |
Wednesday 25th September
| Fiji 27 – 30 Uruguay | 06:15 | ITV4 |
Thursday 26th September
| Italy 48 – 7 Canada | 08:45 | ITV4 |
| England 45 – 7 USA | 11:45 | ITV |
Ovally Balls 
Other chap still should have scored of course.
DTH doesn’t look the force he was – had forgotten how good he was four years ago.
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There’s being wrong. And then there’s being SCW wrong.
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Clive is in good company: Jiffy, Phil Kearns. All the top rugby thinkers.
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The politics last night were stomach-turning. Real slash and burn stuff.
Thank goodness for the rugby.
Canada need to calm down a bit.
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Nige stood up pretty well to getting the ball blasted at him just then.
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Well done Barnes.
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Some half-time viewing:
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Nice turnover at the end there. Pretty sure that the Italian player on the ground regathered the ball and then handed it straight to a Canadian.
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So in SCW logic you’re allowed to get away with shoulder barges to tackle a big player, but presumably not a small player.
‘Power’ does however come into the equation. He’s not clear on whether you’re allowed to shoulder barge small and powerful players.
It’s a bit tricky for players to make these assessments in the midst of a game.
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@Chimp – everyone should agree beforehand which players don’t have to be tackled properly then.
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@CMW
They’d need a slightly differently coloured top to help with the identification.
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Negri gets a try from very close to the line despite having been notably more tacklable than Steyn, Polledri and Budd up to that point.
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@Chimpie – I was thinking maybe hats?
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Canada have gone back to how they were playing at the start of the match. Shame as they had a good second quarter.
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This’ll leave Italy top of the log?
I worry about what the ABs & boks will do to Canada & Namibia
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Hats. Now there’s a plan
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And what the ABs and SA might do to Italy. Canada could easily have had a few tries.
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Ardron tries to catch it one-handed regardless of whether it’s an interception.
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Just need several unlikely weather cancellations and Italy can be left top of the group.
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Ardron told to speak to himself.
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Didn’t think getting that reviewed was going to turn out well for Canada and it hasn’t.
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What a miss-pass, for Bellini to score!
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This is impressive from Italy, shows some progress. Ca
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Nige has that one wrong. Back off red then back off blue. Unlucky Canucks.
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This one won’t work out either.
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Italy have been decent today. Not sure their power game is going to beat the Boks though. Rock, paper scissors is a lovely idea but doesn’t account for rock against bigger rock.
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148
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Arf. Canna just passed and then looked the other way, instead of the other way around.
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Oh, what a step by Coe, to score.
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Lovely try.
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Craigs speaking in tongues.
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Really nice finish there.
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Super try.
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Has anyone put up 50 points in this WC yet?
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@Enzo – Italy closest with 47, against Namibia.
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Did someone just say Rodney Parade?
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I really expected a dour encounter, but this has been great fun to watch.
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All on this kick…
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Wahey!
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And what the ABs and SA might do to Italy.
Top of the table Italy? The Italy that just duffed the side that was above the Boks going into the match? We’ll be lucky to get nil, I reckon.
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Nervous.
Fantasising about a shock upset, fearing a thrashing.
Expecting a 40 something to 15 something.
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England – USA is going to be the non-event of the tournament. England to paste them by at least 45 points. There’s been a lot of talk about this USA side. Maybe, maybe too much talk. This side is not a rabid side; this side is US of bloody A!
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It’s an England team with several first choice players left out, plenty of unfamiliar combinations who have trained once together.
They are going up against a settled, first choice team with a much improved recent record, who have been preparing for this game for weeks.
In the crucial areas of front row, back row and halfback the US have quality players.
I think a 45 point thrashing simply on the basis of them being American is a bit harsh.
They won’t win, but they will hopefully give a good account of themselves.
ps. I am sure plenty of folk down your way thought Japan v SA in 2015 would be a ‘non-event’ 45 point win.
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Why have I got the fear?
Oh yes, cos this is England in a world Cup. As you were.
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According to my RWC prediction table, which have been certified as the definitive RWC predictions by DBWR*, England will win by a margin of 11-15.
*So far as I’m aware
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“Jacques Chirac: Former French president dies at 86”
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We will, in some way come out of it embarrassed. Probably get a win but there’ll be something. A close score line, failure to get a BP or maybe a red card somewhere.
I think an almighty scare and then some big guns off the bench to get us over the line.
Or I might just be letting Pro psych me out …
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Dov – I’m already embarrassed.
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But the USA are going to interfere with England’s DNA. Not sure how they’ll manage it (injections? a virus transmissable via saliva?), or if this will be a short term effect or more of a long term programme where it’s passed to the players offspring.
Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing this DNA alteration and how the referees react. Could be like that infamous England Italy game all over again.
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ps. I am sure plenty of folk down your way thought Japan v SA in 2015 would be a ‘non-event’ 45 point win.
Absolutely – I was one of them. Maybe not 45 points, but it was supposed to be a fairly relaxed entry into the tournament and the chance to ease players in back from injury. Just like we did against New Zealand this time. With the same shock result. I just think that the USA doesn’t have the firepower in reality that they do on paper. Lots of players in top leagues, but not all in starting positions or regular starters.
PS – I hope I’m wrong!
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