So, has France blown its chance ?

"No side since the tournament's inception in 1987 has lost a game in the pool stages and still gone on to win the World Cup."

It's always good to see the Frogs get stuffed. Especially in Paris.

The French team are notoriously inconsistent - they can be dire one week and world beaters the next. If they make the quarters (and after Ireland's performance v Namibia I wouldn't write France off just yet) they're capable of worrying any team.
I thought Portugal put up a good fight against Scotland, who will need to cut out the errors to progress any. Ditto England who looked decidedly shaky against the U.S.A. - I think Samoa might shock them, let alone South Africa (oh, to see Jim Rosenthal's face after defeat to Samoa... )
IMO the All Blacks will take it, with RSA a close second.

I'd still like to see Scotland make the semi-finals though - I don't think that's out of the question.

I'd still like to see Scotland make the semi-finals though - I don't think that's out of the question

I can`t see that happening on their present form.

Early days though

The Laird wrote:
I can`t see that happening on their present form.

Early days though

No disagreement there - we'll see how they play against the All Blacks and if they beat Italy (and in what style). If they gather momentum (beat Italy and don't get crushed by NZ) they'll have a much needed confidence boost.

The Laird wrote:
IF


Oh, ye of little faith!!

yip

I see that Olly Barkley has been left out of the RSA game due to injury - the only player in the England team that made an impression against the U.S.A.

I think England are going to get creamed....

Feck the rugby....What about the fitba?France 0 Scotland 1.

Allez Ra Bleu!

Mike Catt has told his team-mates to cut out the mistakes against South Africa in their second Rugby World Cup pool match.

Next week - How to nail jelly to the ceiling. I think they're going to be hammered.


...and they were. If they play like that against Samoa they'll be in for an early bath.

Scotland 42 - Romania 0.

Not bad compared to the Italian effort against Romania (24-18). Now if only we don't get creamed too badly by the All Blacks and avoid injuries we should manage to make the quarters.

So, we're in the quarters ! What chance beating Argentina - and what chance being the best placed home nation ?