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 
Oops. Just cluttering up the place as usual.
LikeLike
Although, well done aus for coming back.
LikeLike
With Japan not looking up to much and Aus winning this morning the options for an upset are pretty much narrowing down to Wales-Fiji. Eeeek.
LikeLike
You don’t fancy Scotland to turn over the Irish, CMW?
LikeLike
Would France or Argentina beating England count as an upset?
Certainly unlikely, but they both have a chance.
Or does it not count because they are established top tier teams?
LikeLike
The drums are a big improvement on fireworks.
LikeLike
Anyway, good game first up today. This one could be a bit dull, but will watch casually whilst I wait for the big game of the day to kick off later in Melbourne
LikeLike
Very neat kit for Argentina.
LikeLike
Why are the commentators pressing the narrative that this is a knockout game?? Ridiculous. It is very possible that these two will top the group. It’s like they are trying to curse England!
LikeLike
I like the massive cocks the French ladz have.
LikeLike
Argentina don’t have a great record v England. It’d be an upset, I think.
France, no. They’ve beaten England as recently as last year.
LikeLike
Liking the old school France shirts with the very simple emblem and the absence of any sponsor.
I know that no teams have sponsors on shirts in this RWC, but the French blue looks particularly plain and unadorned.
LikeLike
Oo er, missus.
LikeLike
Ntamack is turning his shoulder far too much early on.
LikeLike
Oh, don’t do that Argentina.
LikeLike
France look up for this.
Although they often start like that, key for them is maintaining this intensity.
LikeLike
Some shonky kicking going on here
LikeLike
Bonjour tout le monde
LikeLike
Poor kick apiece from Sanchez and Ntamack now. In the soccer world cup this would mean endless discussions about the ball being used.
LikeLike
Lots of oopsies.
LikeLike
Seb gets in the way and the ball gets his 2nd row partner on the bonce.
LikeLike
Lot of huff and puff but not much quality so far.
As an England fan I’ll take both teams playing like that for the rest of the group stage please.
LikeLike
Argentina seem to have got their scrum mojo back. 2 good ones and now a penalty for them.
LikeLike
@TomP
Fortunate for Argentina that Vaahamina stuck that arm out. Iturria was hitting a gap there and he has plenty of pace if he did get through
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talking heads spend 75% of the pre game bigging up Argies scrum problems – first 2 scrums, Arg penalty…
LikeLike
Nice gallop from the lock there.
LikeLike
Lovely by Petti.
Some massive cheating follows from France.
LikeLike
Would be nice to have a replay when a scrum penalty is given so that we can try to see what’s going on!
LikeLike
Commentator top tips!
1. Shut up!
2. Don’t…. give it to Shane!
LikeLike
utna,
It was a much better pass from Ntamack. He’s responded to my stinging criticism very well.
LikeLike
Gwan Fickou
LikeLike
Lovely stuff by France
LikeLike
Thought of Penaud running at Daly is already giving me nightmares.
LikeLike
Vakatawa has absolutely mugged the defender there. Top tekkerz.
LikeLike
Good work by Vakatawa and a fine finish by Fickou.
LikeLike
Medard as second playmaker, a Gallic Willie le Roux, worked very well in that move before the try.
LikeLike
This was the opening fixture of the 2007 tournament, I made the mistake of watching it with my neighbours who delighted in my sadness at France losing
LikeLike
Hands from Medard
LikeLike
Beautiful. Flair is back!
LikeLike
This game is bonkers.
LikeLike
This looks like a proper France team
LikeLike
Offload-tastic
LikeLike
Super try.
LikeLike
France looking much better in the last 10 minutes, tasty try.
Poomas defence isn’t great though, some big hits but not very organised
LikeLike
French backs doing the vintage jersey justice.
Fikou, Medard, Vakatawa and Penaud have all been wonderful so far
LikeLike
oofya, nice conversion too
LikeLike
I love watching 80s France but in HD.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pace Phil Kearns, it’ll be difficult for the Pumas as they’re effectively a provincial side.
LikeLike
France beating anyone wouldn’t be an upset on the basis of the last few minutes.
LikeLike
Stick to the rugby, director. Of course, fans are going to be happy if their team scores.
LikeLike