England v France a modern comedy

Well it looks as if England are guaranteed a semi final spot today. Their record against France in the wc and the absolute shambles that were France today (well done Tonga).
Its takes from the tournament that both these teams make the qf. One team who look completely one dimensional and need to use gimmicks like changing balls during a game., the other a bunch of spoiled overpaid prima donnas who seem to forget they are wearing their national jersey.

The indictment m'lud is clear. Impersonating a rugby team on the one hand and not acting their age on the other

Guilty as charged

Irish fans on here are getting worse

Come on Italy!

I'm actually worried that the Tonga win was a wake up call for the French.

But yeah, purely because I have some Italian heritage, I can only echo SafeAsMilk's sentiments and say, Come on the Italy!

After todays game one thing is certain, England will need to play alot, lot better than they did against Scotland.

France, well France just might be a different beast next week than they was this week.

I am expecting a tough game from both teams, with hopefully an England win.

Fear not, whether it's poorly-managed France or the binge drinking ball-swapping English they won't be able to cope with which ever Celtic stallion they come up against in the SF's

There are a right bunch of celts on here and no mistake.

Knowsit17 wrote:Fear not, whether it's poorly-managed France or the binge drinking ball-swapping English they won't be able to cope with which ever Celtic stallion they come up against in the SF's

We shall see

Look at the bright side, some NH team is going to get a kick up the backside with their IRB ratings.

Knowsit17 wrote:Fear not, whether it's poorly-managed France or the binge drinking ball-swapping English they won't be able to cope with which ever Celtic stallion they come up against in the SF's

biltongbek wrote:Look at the bright side, some NH team is going to get a kick up the backside with their IRB ratings.

France's rating must have taken one heck of beating after losing to Tonga. I wonder how many points they drop (doubled).

I see that the Celts are coat-tailing each other.

4

Based on performance samoa deserve to be in the qf. But guess you don't always get what you deserve

Did you watch the Tonga match?France individually showed skills,the team work was rubbish.
Until the last couple of minutes a series of scrums under the posts PENALTY,take the scrum.
Quick feed from the Scrum. TRY!!!
The team was saying,Lievremont stop mucking about we`ve ghad enough.
PICK US and we will win for France ,not YOU!!!.

The problem with the French is they generally go from the awful to the sublime, we have had the awful now the sublime!

England have looked so powerful lately but Scotland matched them for long periods, and France can match that power and have more skill, speed and creativity behind.

I do think there are serious issues within this French camp though, they got stuffed by Australia by 60 points at home, then lose to Italy and now lose to Tonga, as erratic as France can be they shouldn't be losing these type of games this often.

DOD wrote:Well it looks as if England are guaranteed a semi final spot today. Their record against France in the wc and the absolute shambles that were France today (well done Tonga).
Its takes from the tournament that both these teams make the qf. One team who look completely one dimensional and need to use gimmicks like changing balls during a game., the other a bunch of spoiled overpaid prima donnas who seem to forget they are wearing their national jersey.

The indictment m'lud is clear. Impersonating a rugby team on the one hand and not acting their age on the other

Guilty as charged

And what exactly was the point of this post

To wum, as per usual.

A bit harsh hound..you have to admit both teams have been mote than underwhelming

Not bad but certainly not one of your best Deaglan. Too obvious. Interesting change of tactic for you re France though, you are usually so nauseatingly sycophantic towards them!

wales606 wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:Fear not, whether it's poorly-managed France or the binge drinking ball-swapping English they won't be able to cope with which ever Celtic stallion they come up against in the SF's

God that is cringeful!

Indeed oval. They are a disgrace to the jersey though. It looks like being a fame of the inept versus the disinterested .

DOD wrote:Based on performance samoa deserve to be in the qf. But guess you don't always get what you deserve

There's me thinking performance is results orientated, in case you hadn't noticed this is not ballroom dancing.

Samoa lost against both Wales and South Africa, so earned the right to finish in third place, third place does not get you through to the QF's but Samoa's seeding will be improved for the next WC, I think they earned that.

as with all french sports teams at world cups, rumours of discontent in the squad

the truth is French players dont seem to care much about what's going on. they are more focused on doing interviews or speaking to agents than anything else. ML offered them a possibility of having a "man talk" with a couple of beers after the game : 10 players showed in.
At this moment, I stop blaming Lievremont: how bad his choices were, he's at least his giving 100% in his team. the players are responsible for the appaling performance against Tonga. they are the one that didnt display any agressivity, passion, teamspirit or willingness to fight on the field and without that it aint rugby, it's another sport.
Tonga on the other hand showed all of that and much more and that it's not often skills that decide the outcome of a game (Tonga try was scored by someone playing for bergerac which sits in the french 5th division!).

end of the moan

now do I think France will pull a 1999 or a 2007 against England? nope, this time it is more serious and we dont have the leaders to make this kind of U-Turn.And lets face it, what are the results of france in the last 18 month against the RWC major nations : 4 defeats including 3 humiliating ones against SA,Australia and Argentina.
Martin Johnson better play his B team to avoid injuries and get ready for the semis.

That French team won't turn up again I'm sure, unfortunately I think that England team will.

Either way I can't see the winner beating Ire or Wal.

It feels like the six nations again with all these games taking place.

Whatever happens over the next 2 rounds there's going to be a big legacy of needle next 6 nations, could be the best for some time. Meanwhile, this WC is getting better and better. Back on topic, England will be up for it and France will do whatever takes their fancy at kick off. No bets on the outcome, it's like a blind date, not knowing what you'll get landed with.

ML announced his team for the QF a few hours ago:
only changes with the team that got beaten by Tonga is TH (Mas back from injury) and 8 (Harinordoquy with his dodgy moustache). Rougerie, despite his shoulder injury , should play.

Médard ; Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Palisson ; Parra, Yachvili ; Bonnaire, Harinordoquy, Dusautoir (cap.) ; Nallet, Papé ; Mas, Servat, Poux.

bench: Szarzewski, Barcella, Pierre, Picamoles, Trinh Duc, Marty, Heymans

Parra? Ffs!

I used to think Harinordoquy was a great player, now he looks like Inspector Clouseau which fits with the potential comedy of this game.

It wil be more like a Comedy of Errors then Henry V


(Shakespeare for the benefit of colonial subscribers )

Comedy of errors isn't funny.

Glas a du wrote:Parra? Ffs!

yes sir!

no doubts the english centres will enjoy attacking the 10/IC channel! England should start with flood to get the most out of it. Maybe wilkinson should start at 9 as well just to make the game a bit more interesting!

Glas a du wrote:Comedy of errors isn't funny.

Do they have Shakespeare in Ammanford?

Regrettably yes.

Glas a du wrote:Regrettably yes.

Isnt it a pub on the high street?

DOD wrote:Based on performance samoa deserve to be in the qf. But guess you don't always get what you deserve

moral victory eh!

Gatts wrote:I used to think Harinordoquy was a great player, now he looks like Inspector Clouseau which fits with the potential comedy of this game.

It wil be more like a Comedy of Errors then Henry V


(Shakespeare for the benefit of colonial subscribers )

What's wrong with Harinorduquoy? He is the only French player who tries in every game he plays in.

Whilst I agree that England haven't played well at all so far, saying their a disgrace to the jersey for some off field non stories is as laughable as some/most of your posts dod.

I was talking about France Breadvan...read the thread closely...

Ah yes, fair play. Although you'd think both of those describe England with the amount of press and opinion flying around. Personally I'm more embarrassed by Englands performances on the field than off it. Especially the way you see Ireland and Wales storming to victories.

beshocked wrote:

Gatts wrote:I used to think Harinordoquy was a great player, now he looks like Inspector Clouseau which fits with the potential comedy of this game.

It wil be more like a Comedy of Errors then Henry V


(Shakespeare for the benefit of colonial subscribers )

What's wrong with Harinorduquoy? He is the only French player who tries in every game he plays in.

His 'tache

DOD wrote: One team who look completely one dimensional and need to use gimmicks like changing balls during a game.
Guilty as charged

We won that game 67-3. Not sure changing a ball was the deciding factor really

And yet they felt the need...

GG i think it was JW that wanted a ball that kicked straight- he is a legend of the game and is a little bit ocd when it comes to kicking, his confidence is abit low obviously but he is a perfectionist. the ocd obviously comes with the terriotory- england obviously didnt feel the need for it.

mystiroakey wrote:GG i think it was JW that wanted a ball that kicked straight- he is a legend of the game and is a little bit ocd when it comes to kicking, his confidence is abit low obviously but he is a perfectionist. the ocd obviously comes with the terriotory- england obviously didnt feel the need for it.

Curious, the RFU cleared Johnson and Wilkinson of any knowledge of ball-switching? Perhaps you have some insider knowledge, or maybe we should have the case re-opened and throw the book at St Jonny?!

aslong use your brain

or are you just naive to the hilt.

just because i am english doesnt mean i am gonna say johny is a saint!

every kicker out there switches balls if they want one that kicks better and they can get away with it- just get over yourself!

I think they should have forfeited the game, like Pakistan did in the cricket ball tampering affair.

Where's Daryl Hair when you need him?

pakistain proberly made a killing on that forfeited game