World Cup Squad Announcements

[Rugbygramps]

Pollard not selected for RWC squad - marginal selection call is my understanding in that he isn't fit currently but will be for the tournament (not the next batch of games) - he is named in a 6 man standby squad should there be injuries.

I think the rules are that any standby players have to train completely apart from the 33. So would make sense for him to return to Leicester. Less travel if called up

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Pollard not selected for RWC squad - marginal selection call is my understanding in that he isn't fit currently but will be for the tournament (not the next batch of games) - he is named in a 6 man standby squad should there be injuries.

I think the rules are that any standby players have to train completely apart from the 33. So would make sense for him to return to Leicester. Less travel if called up

If he is fit come the RWC I wouldn't be surprised if one of the 9's in the squad goes lame...

Even if he isn't fit to fully train having him at Oval Park will be advantageous for the our season.

[Rugbygramps]

Pollard not selected for RWC squad - marginal selection call is my understanding in that he isn't fit currently but will be for the tournament (not the next batch of games) - he is named in a 6 man standby squad should there be injuries.

I think the rules are that any standby players have to train completely apart from the 33. So would make sense for him to return to Leicester. Less travel if called up

If he is fit come the RWC I wouldn't be surprised if one of the 9's in the squad goes lame...

Even if he isn't fit to fully train having him at Oval Park will be advantageous for the our season.

Yes unless I’m confused they appear to have named 4 scrum halfs though no doubt at least 1 can play in the back 3

[CrumblingTerrace]

Wow, that's a shock. I feel really sorry for Handré, who must be hurting right now. He'd got himself in such a good place with us after his difficulties at Montpellier.

[Rugbygramps]

Just seen that this is the 4th World Cup for both Ben Youngs and Dan Cole.
No matter your feelings as to whether or not they should have been selected, that is a very special achievement and would imagine they join an pretty select group

[WhitecapTiger]

Just seen that this is the 4th World Cup for both Ben Youngs and Dan Cole.
No matter your feelings as to whether or not they should have been selected, that is a very special achievement and would imagine they join an pretty select group

From an England perspective maybe, wider player group it's a bit more. Quick lift from Wikipedia so, pinch of salt maybe...

5 RWCs
Brian Lima Samoa 1991-2007
Mauro Bergamasco Italy 1999-2015
Sergio Parisse Italy 2003-2019

4 RWCs
Gareth Rees Canada 1987-1999
Pedro Sporleder Argentina 1991–2003
Al Charron Canada 1991–2003
Jason Leonard England 1991–2003
Fabien Galthié France 1991–2003
Carlo Checchinato Italy 1991–2003
George Gregan Australia 1995–2007
Mike James Canada 1995–2007
Rod Snow Canada 1995–2007
Mike Catt England 1995–2007
Alessandro Troncon Italy 1995–2007
Romeo Gontineac Romania 1995–2007
Gareth Thomas Wales 1995–2007
Felipe Contepomi Argentina 1999–2011
Mario Ledesma Argentina 1999–2011
Martín Scelzo Argentina 1999–2011
Agustin Creevy Argentina 2011-2023
Nicolas Sanchez Argentina 2011-2023
Jonny Wilkinson England 1999–2011
Nicky Little Fiji 1999–2011
Brian O'Driscoll Ireland 1999–2011
Chris Paterson Scotland 1999–2011
Stephen Jones Wales 1999–2011
James Pritchard Canada 2003–2015
Jamie Cudmore Canada 2003–2015
Giorgi Chkhaidze Georgia 2003–2015
Merab Kvirikashvili Georgia 2003–2015
Paul O'Connell Ireland 2003–2015
Andrea Masi Italy 2003–2015
Martin Castrogiovanni Italy 2003–2015
Dan Carter New Zealand 2003–2015
Keven Mealamu New Zealand 2003–2015
Richie McCaw New Zealand 2003–2015
Dănuț Dumbravă Romania 2003–2015
Ovidiu Tonița Romania 2003–2015
Paulică Ion Romania 2003–2015
Schalk Burger South Africa 2003–2015
Victor Matfield South Africa 2003–2015
Gethin Jenkins Wales 2003–2015
Juan Manuel Leguizamón Argentina 2007–2019
Adam Ashley-Cooper Australia 2007–2019
D. T. H. van der Merwe Canada 2007–2019
Davit Kacharava Georgia 2007–2019
Mamuka Gorgodze Georgia 2007–2019
Rory Best Ireland 2007–2019
Alessandro Zanni Italy 2007–2019
Luke Thompson Japan 2007–2019

Edit: After copying I noticed I missed 2 near the bottom of 4 overall RWCs, some Welsh Warrior and Eugene Jantjies of Namibia

[Rugbygramps]

Thanks for that Whitecap knew someone would have the research.
So for England 5 players over a nearly 40 year period, so decent achievement

[BarmyBamford]

Desperately sad for him to miss the RWC.

Not sure how I feel about it for Tigers.

He won’t get hurt and gets time to recover
But
If it’s bad enough for SA to select him, for how long will he be out ?

[Hot_Charlie]

Desperately sad for him to miss the RWC.

Not sure how I feel about it for Tigers.

He won’t get hurt and gets time to recover
But
If it’s bad enough for SA to select him, for how long will he be out ?

The problem is they can't carry anyone - particularly one of the specialist positions - in the pool stages; they need a fit squad given the draw.

[Scott1]

Hooper 50/50 for RWC with calf injury

[Scott1]

Desperately sad for him to miss the RWC.

Not sure how I feel about it for Tigers.

He won’t get hurt and gets time to recover
But
If it’s bad enough for SA to select him, for how long will he be out ?

The problem is they can't carry anyone - particularly one of the specialist positions - in the pool stages; they need a fit squad given the draw.

Can't see how they can win it now,desperately sad for him. He's that important

[Rugbygramps]

Desperately sad for him to miss the RWC.

Not sure how I feel about it for Tigers.

He won’t get hurt and gets time to recover
But
If it’s bad enough for SA to select him, for how long will he be out ?

He has been placed on their standby list of players so they possibly think he will be fit for the knockout stages.

As disappointing as it is for him it’s great for the club he can rehab without needing to play and help with Atkinson and Wilkinson development

[Scott1]

Desperately sad for him to miss the RWC.

Not sure how I feel about it for Tigers.

He won’t get hurt and gets time to recover
But
If it’s bad enough for SA to select him, for how long will he be out ?

He has been placed on their standby list of players so they possibly think he will be fit for the knockout stages.

As disappointing as it is for him it’s great for the club he can rehab without needing to play and help with Atkinson and Wilkinson development

So if everyone was fit and they wanted him there SA would have to fake an injury to get him there? Not saying they will but just curious

[SthrnTiger]

Desperately sad for him to miss the RWC.

Not sure how I feel about it for Tigers.

He won’t get hurt and gets time to recover
But
If it’s bad enough for SA to select him, for how long will he be out ?

He has been placed on their standby list of players so they possibly think he will be fit for the knockout stages.

As disappointing as it is for him it’s great for the club he can rehab without needing to play and help with Atkinson and Wilkinson development

So if everyone was fit and they wanted him there SA would have to fake an injury to get him there? Not saying they will but just curious

Or squad disciplinary issues. Which scrum half do you reckon is going to be found in a Paris night club?

[Rugbygramps]

He has been placed on their standby list of players so they possibly think he will be fit for the knockout stages.

As disappointing as it is for him it’s great for the club he can rehab without needing to play and help with Atkinson and Wilkinson development

So if everyone was fit and they wanted him there SA would have to fake an injury to get him there? Not saying they will but just curious

Or squad disciplinary issues. Which scrum half do you reckon is going to be found in a Paris night club?

I’m fairly sure any replacement has to be like for like. I would imagine that on of the 4 scrum half they’ve picked is also listed as being able to play 10