2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

Worse than they are now? Losing by a record score against South Africa and not being at it against France, I don't know how much worse it could be for them really. They seem to flatter to deceive and crawl into their shell a little once the World Cup came up, where have we seen that before? And what is the common denominator between the last fancied team that did that?

So next week it will be a game plan against Pollard, I am still confused if he would have been ready to be on the bench for the 2nd match why Pollard was not included from the start in the squad. They could have controlled his return and he would have been ready to play against Ireland and the rest of the tournament. I know people like to think Erasmus plays 4d chess while us idiots are still banging the bones of the dead together, but picking 4 9's and now only having one hooker in the squad if they pick Pollard makes very little sense. What if Mbonambi gets a concussion or a suspension?

Then again they may be playing us all by saying all of this about Pollard and draft in Dweba in the end, but what would that do to Libbok and his confidence? He is already struggling with his goal kicking, adding in speculation of bringing in Pollard and unbalancing the already unbalanced squad even more so he can take over from you will play havoc with his head, I feel for him. But that is the 4d chess I guess that I cannot see.

I hope the rumours of Erasmus coming to Irish Rugby to replace Nucifora stays just that, rumours. Erasmus brought in Grobler knowing his past with drugs and had no qualms about it, imagine him making decisions at the top of the game about who can and cannot come in. Do we really want to deal with this all of the time?

Like soccer world cups and spain beating Costa rica 7-0 etc. always can happen in world tournaments when you include sides from all over world... Namibia were badly affected by covid and not getting enough games while many of top sides it was business as usual in terms of matches

Brilliant try.

and a yellow card to boot!!! Or worse!?

You've got to love Chile.

Between Uruguay on Thursday and Chile, and importantly the sort of rugby they play, there is real potential in South America. It would be great for these countries to be exposed to more top level rugby a more regular basis.

It's Chile v Samoa

Poor match really. Thought both teams would bring more, lots of mistakes