RWC 2023 Fixtures and results

[BarmyBamford]

One supposed drawback to Cole is his lack of mobility, Stuart was very slow and couldn’t keep the ball in his hands.

[Scott1]

Has to be tactics and gameplan for me. Mitchell comes in and is a whirling dervish,playing his natural Saints game. Then all of a sudden he’s kicking the leather off it,of course it’s gonna hinder him playing unnaturally. Why didn’t Borths just start with BY using that gameplan?!

[mol2]

One supposed drawback to Cole is his lack of mobility, Stuart was very slow and couldn’t keep the ball in his hands.

Someone has to be present from the Bath wonder forward pack!

Someone said that Heyes isn’t ready.
I think he had a watershed game in Europe and since then something changed and arguably looked better than Cole at times. However needs to play regularly which was part of the problem when he got called into the England squads, got negligible game time and came back to us out of match practice. I some ways like Genge in that respect, a few minutes off the bench in the minor games behind Vunipola and Marler wasn’t good for his form.

For Heyes to step up to international level he would perhaps need to be the starting prop or at least in the 23 but he isn’t there yet.

Prop will be interesting after the World Cup. Presumably the end of the line for Cole, Marler and Vunipola.

Sinckler and Genge will still be there but who will replace the others?

[Scott1]

One supposed drawback to Cole is his lack of mobility, Stuart was very slow and couldn’t keep the ball in his hands.

Someone has to be present from the Bath wonder forward pack!

Someone said that Heyes isn’t ready.
I think he had a watershed game in Europe and since then something changed and arguably looked better than Cole at times. However needs to play regularly which was part of the problem when he got called into the England squads, got negligible game time and came back to us out of match practice. I some ways like Genge in that respect, a few minutes off the bench in the minor games behind Vunipola and Marler wasn’t good for his form.

For Heyes to step up to international level he would perhaps need to be the starting prop or at least in the 23 but he isn’t there yet.

Prop will be interesting after the World Cup. Presumably the end of the line for Cole, Marler and Vunipola.

Sinckler and Genge will still be there but who will replace the others?

Rapava-Ruskin at LH for me

[TigerFeetSteve]

One supposed drawback to Cole is his lack of mobility, Stuart was very slow and couldn’t keep the ball in his hands.

Someone has to be present from the Bath wonder forward pack!

Someone said that Heyes isn’t ready.
I think he had a watershed game in Europe and since then something changed and arguably looked better than Cole at times. However needs to play regularly which was part of the problem when he got called into the England squads, got negligible game time and came back to us out of match practice. I some ways like Genge in that respect, a few minutes off the bench in the minor games behind Vunipola and Marler wasn’t good for his form.

For Heyes to step up to international level he would perhaps need to be the starting prop or at least in the 23 but he isn’t there yet.

Prop will be interesting after the World Cup. Presumably the end of the line for Cole, Marler and Vunipola.

Sinckler and Genge will still be there but who will replace the others?

Rapava-Ruskin at LH for me

A lot of rumours (can't say if true) that he has attitude issues that various people find hard to work with. People accept them at club level due to the standard of player he is, but at International level he's not good enough that those are ignored.

[aslongaswebeatsaints]

Interesting suggestion from Ugo Monya on BBC Rugby Pod about having a B tournament running within the World Cup to give the Tier 2/3 nations more game time and, by default, more development. For example, third and fourth place go into a different knock out and final. Runs alongside Galtands idea to expand the tournament to 24. Seems a good idea to me. Firstly, its been a delight to watch the spirited games from the likes of Portugal and Uruguay etc. Secondly, if World Rugby are actually serious about bringing these nations on, and therefore expand the fan base and reach of rugby (The Portuguese fans are a great example), the World Cup seems an ideal place to do it as this is the one time the rugby calendars align. Thirdly, it does work in other sports and I'd argue it's not dissimilar to the Champions v Challenge Cups in European Rugby anyway.

Then again, it would mean World Rugby and the other Governing bodies having to do something proactive for once......

[Scott1]

Someone has to be present from the Bath wonder forward pack!

Someone said that Heyes isn’t ready.
I think he had a watershed game in Europe and since then something changed and arguably looked better than Cole at times. However needs to play regularly which was part of the problem when he got called into the England squads, got negligible game time and came back to us out of match practice. I some ways like Genge in that respect, a few minutes off the bench in the minor games behind Vunipola and Marler wasn’t good for his form.

For Heyes to step up to international level he would perhaps need to be the starting prop or at least in the 23 but he isn’t there yet.

Prop will be interesting after the World Cup. Presumably the end of the line for Cole, Marler and Vunipola.

Sinckler and Genge will still be there but who will replace the others?

Rapava-Ruskin at LH for me

A lot of rumours (can't say if true) that he has attitude issues that various people find hard to work with. People accept them at club level due to the standard of player he is, but at International level he's not good enough that those are ignored.

Thanks for the info,hadn’t heard that

[Scott1]

Interesting suggestion from Ugo Monya on BBC Rugby Pod about having a B tournament running within the World Cup to give the Tier 2/3 nations more game time and, by default, more development. For example, third and fourth place go into a different knock out and final. Runs alongside Galtands idea to expand the tournament to 24. Seems a good idea to me. Firstly, its been a delight to watch the spirited games from the likes of Portugal and Uruguay etc. Secondly, if World Rugby are actually serious about bringing these nations on, and therefore expand the fan base and reach of rugby (The Portuguese fans are a great example), the World Cup seems an ideal place to do it as this is the one time the rugby calendars align. Thirdly, it does work in other sports and I'd argue it's not dissimilar to the Champions v Challenge Cups in European Rugby anyway.

Then again, it would mean World Rugby and the other Governing bodies having to do something proactive for once......

Like a plate then? Great idea! I still believe that we should have these games for development,even though the score lines sometimes are sad ,but that adds to the flavour. You never know Scotland or Wales might have won it this year

[TigerXV]

Someone has to be present from the Bath wonder forward pack!

Someone said that Heyes isn’t ready.
I think he had a watershed game in Europe and since then something changed and arguably looked better than Cole at times. However needs to play regularly which was part of the problem when he got called into the England squads, got negligible game time and came back to us out of match practice. I some ways like Genge in that respect, a few minutes off the bench in the minor games behind Vunipola and Marler wasn’t good for his form.

For Heyes to step up to international level he would perhaps need to be the starting prop or at least in the 23 but he isn’t there yet.

Prop will be interesting after the World Cup. Presumably the end of the line for Cole, Marler and Vunipola.

Sinckler and Genge will still be there but who will replace the others?

Rapava-Ruskin at LH for me

A lot of rumours (can't say if true) that he has attitude issues that various people find hard to work with. People accept them at club level due to the standard of player he is, but at International level he's not good enough that those are ignored.

Just for clarity is this Heyes or Rapava-Ruskin you're referring to? (I know one's a TH and the other a LH)

[TigerFeetSteve]

Rapava-Ruskin at LH for me

A lot of rumours (can't say if true) that he has attitude issues that various people find hard to work with. People accept them at club level due to the standard of player he is, but at International level he's not good enough that those are ignored.

Just for clarity is this Heyes or Rapava-Ruskin you're referring to? (I know one's a TH and the other a LH)

Rumors I've heard are regarding VRR, however I don't have any feel on how reliable said rumours are so they must be taken with pinches of salt

[Scott1]

Can I ask perhaps a stupid question please but one I don't actually know. But if Fourie and MVS started together in a RWC game or ended up playing at the same time can they alternate scrummaging? Or does it have to be designated? I'm aware anyone can throw in

[mol2]

I think all you have to be is considered to be a specialist front row player and capable of playing in the required position in the front row.

In days gone by you only had a single prop on the bench who covered both sides.

There are players who have played both hooker and prop or transitioned from one to the other. These days props tend to be bigger.

However these is nothing to prevent you staring with say 2 hookers and have one playing in the back row or centre and swap over when it suits. The ref is only bothered if they believe the scrummaging front row player isn't really up to it and thus in danger or a danger to others if they cause a scrum to collapse. We played Whitcombe on the flank when we were short of payers but I don't think that he would not have been able to move into the front row if required. Clearly there might be an element of confusion in the defence and attack if two big lumps are swapping around.

[Scott1]

I think all you have to be is considered to be a specialist front row player and capable of playing in the requires position.

In days gone by you only had a single prop on the bench who covered both sides.

There are players who have played both hooker and prop or transitioned from one to the other. These days props tend to be bigger.

However these is nothing to prevent you staring with say 2 hookers and have one playing in the back row or centre and swap over when it suits. The ref is only bothered if they believe the scrummaging front row player isn't really up to it and thus in danger or a danger to others if they cause a scrum to collapse.

Thanks! I'm sure it's something Rasmus has up his sleeve too knowing him. For me I think it's a big mistake and a huge risk but Pollards kicking might be needed later tournament

[mol2]

I think that the subs bench require a full front row to be available. Can you consider that to be the case if your replacement hooker is in the starting line up as flanker?
That was the case when the subs were increased from 7 to 8.

[Rugbygramps]

I think that the subs bench require a full front row to be available. Can you consider that to be the case if your replacement hooker is in the starting line up as flanker?
That was the case when the subs were increased from 7 to 8.

I think within the match day 23 there has to be replacement players for the starting prop and starting hooker. I think there have been times when Thacker has started at 7 and moved to hooker as did Ashman when at Sale.
Obviously you run the risk of your replacement hooker being injured or sent off if they start in another position