Welsh World Cup Squad

First topic message reminder :

Dragons not playing until tomorrow and quiet on here so just wondered what early thoughts are on the Welsh WC squad.  I think a lot of it will pick itself unless injury or shock retirements dictate.  I have gone with a 30 man squad 16/14 forwards/back split same as last world cup so here's my thought.

Here's the 47 man Training Squad, Players in bold are the ones I think are already inked in:

Props (5) JENKINS,JAMES,LEE, Evans, Francis, Jarvis, Andrews
Hookers (3) BALDWIN,OWENS, Dacey
2 Row (3) AWJ, CHARTERIS, Ball, Davies, Day
Backrow (5) FALETAU, WARBURTON, LYDIATE, TIPURIC,Moriarty, King

No9s (3) WEBB, Davies, Ll Williams
No10s (3) BIGGAR, PRIESTLAND, Anscombe, Morgan
Centres (3) ROBERTS, Sc WILLIAMS, Morgan, Allen
Back 3 (5) NORTH, HALFPENNY, Li WILLIAMS, Cuthbert, Walker, Amos, James (Then 2 from Cuthbert, Amos, Walker) For me Cuthbert and Amos

As I said the ones in Bold are the ones I feel are already pencilled in to go. Updated squad as we stand now

Chunky Norwich wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Chunky,

That's my way of thinking as well but still thought he would have been om bench at least give him some game time.  Guess we will see him against Ireland away and Italy.

He's in cotton wool given the tighthead quality, (or lack of it)

Again, wouldn't totally dis-agree and you have to try and strike a balance between protecting players and giving them game time.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Yes, I can. Because Biggar and Priestland are way above anyone else in the frame for the 10 shirt. Hook is awful, Anscombe is totally unproven, and Owen Williams won't be eligible until 2018.

Thankfully Gatland rates Priestalnd higher than you do. Of course if Gatland isn't the Wales coach in November, things might change.

Fair enough that's your view, but I digress. Only Biggar is way above anyone else in the frame for the 10 shirt. Anscombe, Patchell, etc just need to be given equal opportunities to their predecessors. Priestland had a hatful of those. FYI Williams might be selected in an emergency. Circumstances also change so he might be out of his contract a lot sooner. You seem awful sure of things which are somewhat unpredictable IMO.

Thankfully for who, yourself? You must be a Scarlets fan too. It's certainly not for the Wales team benefit, the last two years prove that. True enough but it would also seem Gatland rates Andrews and hook higher than I do, hmmmmm....[/quote]

Why isn't Williams eligible though? For me Anscombe should have been left to prove himself with the Blues before being handed it all on a plate.

munkian wrote:

Bradley Davies would have been a better choice instead of Day - I dont think he'll make the cut

Wales Online said

"James King provides second row cover among the replacements, with Bradley Davies hampered by a shoulder cartilage problem and Luke Charteris having a slight back twinge."

jimlewtheblue wrote:Why won't Owen Williams be eligible until 2018, Chunky?

He was born in Neath so is eligible for Wales. The only other logical reason he cant be selected is because of the service agreement signed last year and his renewal with Leicester ruling him out of selection. I know Gats has mentioned that a lot of players who's contracts expire in the next season or two will be affected by the service agreement. Basically I believe North, JD and Halfpenny all have 1 year left and I believe if any resign with their existing clubs they will essentially fall into the 2 players rule. At the moment a whole number of players are not affected as they signed their contracts before the service agreement was finalized, which is why so many Aviva players have been given a chance.

I expect to see a fair few of them heading home if they think they have a realistic shot at the next WC in 2019. Think JD has already said despite him loving his time at Clermont that his decision will be based on what Gatland wants him to do in terms of getting selected for Wales.

I'm a bit baffled with the team selection.  Some elements look really strong. Other areas are a cause for concern.  The backline from 11 to 15 looks potent and has potential if they get good ball.  

9 & 10 choice completely baffle me tbh.  I know Gats has a special fondness for Phillips but for me his best days are past him.  I'm a bit confused with Hook at 10 as well as its a bit bizarre.  I know he's primarily selected them due to their international experience but I sense that especially for Hook a bad game on Saturday could be all the reason Gats will need to cut him from the team.  Clearly Morgan is going to be looked at Full Back as well so that's probably putting pressure on Walker as I reckon they will likely sub him half time and move Amos to the wing to see the versatility.

Back Row looks classy but I reckon the entire game will centre around the tight 5.  I'm less worried about Day and Ball in the boilerhouse but our front row starter and bench don't look great.  

I trust Gats though to make the right calls and in fairness to him he has got it right more than he's got it wrong.  Also in terms of friendly results I couldn't really care less if we lose all of them providing we can win both games against England and Australia come World cup time.

Think Anscombe was going to get nod at 10 except of injury so Hook got ti, tells me he will take one or other of these utility backs and its 50:50 at the moment because of that injury but you have to think Anscombe has the edge injury aside. In a small squad a player who can cover at 15 is especially useful. Might also mean he is taking one of Hook/Anscombe and Morgan which would be awesome.

You have to think then that one of the next 2 warm ups will feature a full strength side, or, is he going to cosset key players (Webb, Warburton, AWJ, Lydiate, Faletau, Half, Doc, North etc) until RWC itself.

Space between group games becomes key as does the need to beat a strong confident Fiji and to put a cricket score on Uruguay;

20 Sept Uruguay 6 days
26 Sept Eng only 5 days!
1st Oct Fiji 9 days
10th Aus

I imagine a first team of sorts will play v Italy, but he has to preserve his first team from playing v Urguay as we face England a mere 6 days later... so I expect there to be key bench players if required and the youngsters to be given their chance v Uruguay. A mix and match leaning towards first team v Fiji but again, only a 5 day rest after Eng we need to ensure this isn't the banana skin again. Obviously with a long rest, the best we have left v Aus.

Home advantage will tell in the fiji game and i expect us to win but selection has to be right and i imagine at least part of the training regime being so hard is to acknowledge the turnarounds.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Why isn't Williams eligible though?  For me Anscombe should have been left to prove himself with the Blues before being handed it all on a plate.

I would have liked to have seen more Anscombe at 15 which is where i think he is more potent coming into the line than as 10.

Gwlad wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Why isn't Williams eligible though?  For me Anscombe should have been left to prove himself with the Blues before being handed it all on a plate.

I would have liked to have seen more Anscombe at 15 which is where i think he is more potent coming into the line than as 10.

With patches injured most of the season the blues had little option but to play Anscombe at ten

Gwlad wrote:
Home advantage will tell in the fiji game

Which is a shame, if not a disgrace. I remember tournament organisers saying Australia wouldn't be playing their game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, the implication being that it was okay for Fiji and Uruguay to have to play a group rival at their home ground because they're 'lesser nations'. It's just wrong. It's not our World Cup. Only the hosts should have home advantage.

Seems like Gats and Joe have a gentlemans agreement to put out roughly similar squads in terms of experience.

Owen Williams renewed his contract with Leicester over an offer from a region, which now means he is a Gats Law castaway, until 2018 when his contract comes to and end.

Is he even 'that good' anyway ?

Gwlad wrote:20 Sept Uruguay 6 days  -  Second String Side
26 Sept Eng only 5 days! - Full Team
1st Oct Fiji 9 days -  Second String Side
10th Aus - Full Team

I think with the scheduling we are actually quite lucky. We can 'rotate' the team as above.

When I say 'Second String Team', I mean a team that sees any 'key' player with a knock being rested, as with only 31 men in the squad we can't really tank two full XVs because we need to cover specialist positions etc.

Coleman wrote:Seems like Gats and Joe have a gentlemans agreement to put out roughly similar squads in terms of experience.

I said something earlier on this thread about there being rumours about there being some 'unofficial deals' going on between the two of us.

Shewerly that would have been both of their plans with an 'agreement' or not ?

We both have experienced 6 Nations winning match day squads that virtually pick themselves - what would sending out the same teams that played each other in February prove ?

munkian wrote:Shewerly that would have been both of their plans with an 'agreement' or not ?

We both have experienced 6 Nations winning match day squads that virtually pick themselves - what would sending out the same teams that played each other in February prove ?

Your right the teams would be 'experimental' no matter what, but I was on about the 'if you win at home, then we win at home' deal (if it is true, but Gats/Joe talking about selection is iffy).

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Owen Williams renewed his contract with Leicester over an offer from a region, which now means he is a Gats Law castaway, until 2018 when his contract comes to and end.

So he's still eligible as such just being made a scapegoat, isn't he out injured anyway so wouldn't have been available?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Gwlad wrote:20 Sept Uruguay 6 days  -  Second String Side
26 Sept Eng only 5 days! - Full Team
1st Oct Fiji 9 days -  Second String Side
10th Aus - Full Team

I think with the scheduling we are actually quite lucky.  We can 'rotate' the team as above.

When I say 'Second String Team', I mean a team that sees any 'key' player with a knock being rested, as with only 31 men in the squad we can't really tank two full XVs because we need to cover specialist positions etc.

We can't afford to put to weak a side out against Fiji, we have come a cropper against them in the past and will first need the win then win well.

2nd string against Fiji would be madness.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

munkian wrote:Shewerly that would have been both of their plans with an 'agreement' or not ?

We both have experienced 6 Nations winning match day squads that virtually pick themselves - what would sending out the same teams that played each other in February prove ?

Your right the teams would be 'experimental' no matter what, but I was on about the 'if you win at home, then we win at home' deal (if it is true, but Gats/Joe talking about selection is iffy).

In previous years England and France have had the same agreement if they had friendly/warm up games.

munkian wrote:2nd string against Fiji would be madness.

Agreed, with the short turn around the mix will have to be carefuly balanced

bedfordwelsh wrote:

munkian wrote:2nd string against Fiji would be madness.

Agreed, with the short turn around the mix will have to be carefuly balanced

Like I said in that post we are only taking a 31 man squad, so it is not possible to field a fully second string side. But a side a few 'key' players so they are fresh for against Aus. If we don't do that an we lose the likes of AWJ/Halfpenny etc before Aus that would be far worse. I was thinking of a team like the following as 'second string', and IMO they would beat Fiji

Jenkins
Owens
Francis
Ball
Charteris
Lydiate
Tipuric
Baker

Webb
Biggar
Amos
T Morgan
Williams
Li Williams
Anscomme

(Bench: Hibbard, Smith, Lee, Davies, Faletau; Davies, Roberts, Cuthbert/North)

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Owen Williams renewed his contract with Leicester over an offer from a region, which now means he is a Gats Law castaway, until 2018 when his contract comes to and end.

Correct. The only way he can get in now is to be one of Gatland's wildcard selections. Which increase from 2 to 3 next year. It's like a game.

If Gatland was to go back on it and select Owen Williams, then the whole agreement would fall to pieces and you'd see Halfpenny, J Davies etc all re-signing with their foreign clubs when their current deals run out. So there is pressure on Gatland to stick to this.

He is injured though so it's all academical.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Thankfully for who, yourself? You must be a Scarlets fan too. It's certainly not for the Wales team benefit, the last two years prove that.

No they don't. Unless, you think you should be the Wales coach instead of Heineken Cup, Lions Tour and Grand Slam winning Warren Gatland.

Isn't there an 'extreme circumstances' clause to this 'Gatlands law' though (I hate calling it that, whats the real name?)

I thought I saw an interview where he stated he gets 2 wildcards, but in extreme circumstances he can select outside of that with permission from stakeholders.

Fanster wrote:Isn't there an 'extreme circumstances' clause to this 'Gatlands law' though (I hate calling it that, whats the real name?)

I thought I saw an interview where he stated he gets 2 wildcards, but in extreme circumstances he can select outside of that with permission from stakeholders.

2 wildcards (but they increase in number for a few years) then there is exceptional circumstances which only really apply if there is a lot of injuries and all the regional coaches agree, can't see O.Williams ever getting one short of injuries to Biggar, Preistland, Anscombe, Hook, Patchell, Morgan and probably Davies at the same time.

wales606 wrote:

Fanster wrote:Isn't there an 'extreme circumstances' clause to this 'Gatlands law' though (I hate calling it that, whats the real name?)

I thought I saw an interview where he stated he gets 2 wildcards, but in extreme circumstances he can select outside of that with permission from stakeholders.

2 wildcards (but they increase in number for a few years) then there is exceptional circumstances which only really apply if there is a lot of injuries and all the regional coaches agree, can't see O.Williams ever getting one short of injuries to Biggar, Preistland, Anscombe, Hook, Patchell, Morgan and probably Davies at the same time.

Are the circumstances set in stone though?

Chunky Norwich wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Thankfully for who, yourself? You must be a Scarlets fan too. It's certainly not for the Wales team benefit, the last two years prove that.

No they don't. Unless, you think you should be the Wales coach instead of Heineken Cup, Lions Tour and Grand Slam winning Warren Gatland.

The last two years of rugby more than prove Priestland can't cut it at this level, he was struggling at club level! Unless you're a Scarlets fan of course, where he plays well each week. I don't see how me not being a coach means I can't point out the blatantly obvious? As I said, Gatland rates Scott Andrews too so it's not really a solid argument.

Mikey

I've seen plenty of Scarlets games where PReistland has had to take the responsibility for carrying the side t times, he always looks good for them, and is regularly stand out! How can you say he struggled at club level?!

Fanster wrote:Mikey

I've seen plenty of Scarlets games where PReistland has had to take the responsibility for carrying the side t times, he always looks good for them, and is regularly stand out! How can you say he struggled at club level?!

That is not true.

Fanster, I don't recently remember him carrying the side at all or ever being a stand out; certainly not for a long time. Are you referring to the odd game where Jiffy issued him with a pseudo MOTM performance to boost his morale, there's a surprise... I think he's been pretty average and he makes too many errors, and a fly-half is not expected to drop balls or kick the ball out on the full. As I clearly stated it has been going on since 2013 which lead to widespread criticism of his selection and even Priestland himself admitted he had problems. He must have played 20 minutes in the 6 nations which should highlight his acutal worth. And I also think Scarlets have actually been better with Shingler running the show. Anyway it's kind of going off topic now with me obsessing over Priestland a bit, not the first time Scarlets' supporters have annoyed me though.

I've done some reading over on the Ireland thread. They expect there will be some rotation but their tight 5 is clearly stronger than ours, Mike Ross may be starting along with Chris Henry at 7.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Thankfully for who, yourself? You must be a Scarlets fan too. It's certainly not for the Wales team benefit, the last two years prove that.

No they don't. Unless, you think you should be the Wales coach instead of Heineken Cup, Lions Tour and Grand Slam winning Warren Gatland.

The last two years of rugby more than prove Priestland can't cut it at this level, he was struggling at club level! Unless you're a Scarlets fan of course, where he plays well each week. I don't see how me not being a coach means I can't point out the blatantly obvious? As I said, Gatland rates Scott Andrews too so it's not really a solid argument.

You are biased though. He's had plenty of good games for club and country in the last 2 years.

You really think Bath would pay someone 300,000 a year who wasn't very good at rugby? [No Sam Burgess jokes allowed]

mikey_dragon wrote:Fanster, I don't recently remember him carrying the side at all or ever being a stand out; certainly not for a long time. Are you referring to the odd game where Jiffy issued him with a pseudo MOTM performance to boost his morale, there's a surprise... I think he's been pretty average and he makes too many errors, and a fly-half is not expected to drop balls or kick the ball out on the full. As I clearly stated it has been going on since 2013 which lead to widespread criticism of his selection and even Priestland himself admitted he had problems. He must have played 20 minutes in the 6 nations which should highlight his acutal worth. And I also think Scarlets have actually been better with Shingler running the show. Anyway it's kind of going off topic now with me obsessing over Priestland a bit, not the first time Scarlets' supporters have annoyed me though.

I've done some reading over on the Ireland thread. They expect there will be some rotation but their tight 5 is clearly stronger than ours, Mike Ross may be starting along with Chris Henry at 7.

I'm not climing he is international standard, he hit sublime form within the Welsh team in 2011 but since hasn't been up to scratch, however he is a good club player, and the Scarlets are a weaker team without him IMO (BTW I am no big Scarlets fan).

I personally think MOTM performances are garbage, and the Halfpenny rule should be scrapped for some actual knowledge of the game! I am sick of seeing forwards out on their feet after standout performances for the kicker to get the MOTM!

See Glasgows final performance, there were 3/4 forwards in that Glasgow team who for 80 minutes were top class, Finn Russel throws a decent pass in the last few minutes to claim glory, despite his first half errors, and sloppy play!

I'm not. Okay I might be a little biased, but it's only fans that support the Scarlets who strongly disagree with me on this. From experience the supporters from West of Cardiff are insanely biased. How many minutes did he get in the last 6 Nations? I only guessed when I said 20, it's probably less...

I think Bath have a lot of money so can pretty much sign anyone they want. RP must be laughing if he's on £300,000 to play second fiddle. Isn't that the standard cost for an international down at The Rec? Good luck to him there anyway.

mikey_dragon wrote:I'm not. Okay I might be a little biased, but it's only fans that support the Scarlets who strongly disagree with me on this. From experience the supporters from West of Cardiff are insanely biased. How many minutes did he get in the last 6 Nations? I only guessed when I said 20, it's probably less...

So because he played second fiddle in the 6N to Dan Biggar he's rubbish? I'm really not getting your logic here. Presumably Justin Tipuric and Scott Williams are rubbish too?

I think Bath have a lot of money so can pretty much sign anyone they want. RP must be laughing if he's on £300,000 to play second fiddle. Isn't that the standard cost for an international down at The Rec? Good luck to him there anyway.

If they can sign anyone they want, why would they sign Rhys "sh1tty" Priestland?

Well you wouldn't get the logic because that is clearly not what I'm saying. I'm stating that limited game time since Biggar came onto the scene shows his worth. I'm assuming Gatland doesn't want Priestland on the pitch for too long because he'll make some error to cost us the match. Under Gatland's tenure we've always seen two sets of half backs get game time. There was Peel and Jones, Phillips and Hook. Give or take a No.9 this remained the trend up until the form of RP in 2011, where he took the place of Hook; but after those games against France and Aus I've never wanted to see Hook in a Wales jersey again. Seeing as you mentioned it, I think Williams should be a starter over JD2 and have thought that way since the latter's move to Clermont. Tipuric for me, hasn't done anything of note since 2013. He seems to really struggle for Ospreys when they're up against a decent Irish, English or French team.

As for the last question then why don't you ask Bath? Or their supporters? He might actually do well there out of the cauldron and in a new environment.

mikey_dragon wrote:Well you wouldn't get the logic because that is clearly not what I'm saying. I'm stating that limited game time since Biggar came onto the scene shows his worth. I'm assuming Gatland doesn't want Priestland on the pitch for too long because he'll make some error to cost us the match.

He doesn't have to pick him.

I think Williams should be a starter over JD2

At 13?

Fanster wrote:Isn't there an 'extreme circumstances' clause to this 'Gatlands law' though (I hate calling it that, whats the real name?)

I thought I saw an interview where he stated he gets 2 wildcards, but in extreme circumstances he can select outside of that with permission from stakeholders.

Yep there is and there is also no such thing as Gatlands Law, with the extreme circumstances he can pick whoever he wants and when time comes if he needed to am pretty sure he will.

Rhys is a good club player, has been around the national side for a long time, is experienced and talented. He's also versatile, and I think Bath know exatly what theyre doing by signing him, he'll play plenty at 10 and possibly 15 too...

That said they also signed a RWC winner in Donald so...

I think if Priestland got back to anywhere near his 2011 form then he would be Gatlands first choice.

His style of playing it flat suits our game plan of Roberts running hard off his passes.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Well you wouldn't get the logic because that is clearly not what I'm saying. I'm stating that limited game time since Biggar came onto the scene shows his worth. I'm assuming Gatland doesn't want Priestland on the pitch for too long because he'll make some error to cost us the match.

He doesn't have to pick him.

I think Williams should be a starter over JD2

At 13?

Given what we've both just said that comes across as an odd statement if I'm honest .

Yes at 13. Roberts is the first name on the team sheet for me. This now also happens to be the centre partnership with JD2 out. Both can interchange between 12 and 13 and have done so in the past, but I think Roberts is best at 12. Do you think he'll go with Williams at 12?

bedfordwelsh wrote:I think if Priestland got back to anywhere near his 2011 form then he would be Gatlands first choice.

His style of playing it flat suits our game plan of Roberts running hard off his passes.

We've all been hoping for that since....end of 2012? I don't think it's ever coming back.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Given what we've both just said that comes across as an odd statement if I'm honest .

Yes at 13. Roberts is the first name on the team sheet for me. This now also happens to be the centre partnership with JD2 out. Both can interchange between 12 and 13 and have done so in the past, but I think Roberts is best at 12. Do you think he'll go with Williams at 12?

Williams is a 12 who can play 13. Davies is a 13 who can play 12. Williams would never be picked over JD at 13 if both were fully fit.

He'll pick Roberts at 12 and Williams at 13 unless Tyler Morgan has some sort of awakening in the next 3 games.

mikey_dragon wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:I think if Priestland got back to anywhere near his 2011 form then he would be Gatlands first choice.

His style of playing it flat suits our game plan of Roberts running hard off his passes.

We've all been hoping for that since....end of 2012? I don't think it's ever coming back.

Giving that he had a few injuries his form has been hit. IMO he is not in a position to challenge Biggar for the first choice fly half shirt at the moment, and when on form he is on a par with Biggar at best. However looking at our other fly half options I do find it bizarre that people still run him down.

Anscomme has failed to shine in a pretty dire Blues side, and as yet has not justified his move here from New Zealand. He has pretty much done everything that Priestland gets slated for this season in a Blues jersey. He has put kicks straight out, he has dropped balls that he should have caught, and his goal kicking has not been that impressive either. Rhys Patchell has IMO looked the far better fly half.

Matthew Morgan is an impressive player, and has had a decent season for Bristol. But then again they failed to get promoted, and he was even ditched from the fly half berth when it came down to a do or die game, with Nick Robinson being favoured.

And then there is Hook, who Gatland has said would not have started this weekend if Anscomme was fit.

SS if I come across as an RP-hater then I didn't mean to do so, in fact I've always distanced myself from some of the abuse he gets. I'm just trying to give an honest opinion based on what I've seen. I also think that behind Biggar all of our 10 options are fairly average to poor. You're right about Anscombe, but I can almost guarantee he'll be in line for some abuse from fans too should he get the preferential treatment that RP has always received (looks as if it is heading that way). Hopefully in the next few games and coming season we can develop more fly-half options. Anscombe and Patchell are likely next in line. Since Morgan I've not really been impressed with any U20 fly-halves.

mikey_dragon wrote:SS if I come across as an RP-hater then I didn't mean to do so, in fact I've always distanced myself from some of the abuse he gets. I'm just trying to give an honest opinion based on what I've seen. I also think that behind Biggar all of our 10 options are fairly average to poor. You're right about Anscombe, but I can almost guarantee he'll be in line for some abuse from fans too should he get the preferential treatment that RP has always received (looks as if it is heading that way). Hopefully in the next few games and coming season we can develop more fly-half options. Anscombe and Patchell are likely next in line. Since Morgan I've not really been impressed with any U20 fly-halves.

Bit harsh on the award winning Sam Davies! He is still young but could be a contender in another season or 2!

Chunky Norwich wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I'm not. Okay I might be a little biased, but it's only fans that support the Scarlets who strongly disagree with me on this. From experience the supporters from West of Cardiff are insanely biased. How many minutes did he get in the last 6 Nations? I only guessed when I said 20, it's probably less...

So because he played second fiddle in the 6N to Dan Biggar he's rubbish? I'm really not getting your logic here. Presumably Justin Tipuric and Scott Williams are rubbish too?

I think Bath have a lot of money so can pretty much sign anyone they want. RP must be laughing if he's on £300,000 to play second fiddle. Isn't that the standard cost for an international down at The Rec? Good luck to him there anyway.

If they can sign anyone they want, why would they sign Rhys "sh1tty" Priestland?

Priestland did afterall lead Wales to their best ever RWC finish in 2011. Helped Wales win a GS in 2012.

He is a world cup and GS hero

Perhaps Bath are hoping they can help Priestland rediscover that form. Also I expect they are hoping that Priestland's international career will be over after the RWC so he will be available them all year.

Someone needs to be fly half cover for Ford. Oh and let's be honest he's still probably the 2nd best fly half Wales have......

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Gwlad wrote:
Home advantage will tell in the fiji game

Which is a shame, if not a disgrace. I remember tournament organisers saying Australia wouldn't be playing their game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, the implication being that it was okay for Fiji and Uruguay to have to play a group rival at their home ground because they're 'lesser nations'. It's just wrong. It's not our World Cup. Only the hosts should have home advantage.

Disgrace? what rubbish.

Home advantage and the advantage of a minimum of 6 days between fixtures. RWC is not a level playing field and since England can't provide the rugby experience that you get at the Millennium it would be a travesty not to have it involved. Clearly the IRB and participant unions have had no issue with it.