2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

Scotland killing themselves with mistakes, dumb penalties and knock ons. They're not far off being excellent though. France are a bit of a mess without Ntamack and Dupont. I'd be raging if Ireland performed like that against Scotland, but a wc warmup with ac couple more to go before the big event...they'll be happy enough.

I would not be surprised at all if one of England Australia or Wales make the final. And then, who knows? The teams on the other side of the draw could be decimated with injuries and/or suspensions.

The quality of the squads will be vital but not as vital as luck.

Watching Farrell's hit again, it is really hard to see less than 5 games of a ban

Without a doubt. We all know he has priors for this and the joke shop tackle school that he previously took. The book has to be thrown at him at this stage and rightly so and he only has himself to blame.

Using data that's 4 years out of date is usually not a successful way of making predictions.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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