RWC 2023 Fixtures and results

[chewbacca]

Is Youngs injured or has SB really been convinced by the other two scrum halves?

Saving him for the final ?

[Darc Tiger]

Massive game for Big G

[GB72]

Could end up with 4 of the Tigers title winning front 5 on the pitch.

[Scott1]

Can only hope that the France game was their final and they've emptied the tank. If they start like they did againt France we havnt got the firepower in attack to at least try and stay on par and could find ourself 20 points down very quickly!

[Jacko27]

If - as is say 80% (imo) likely - England's World Cup ends on Saturday evening then it could also be the final England appearance for - I reckon - at least 7 of the selected squad of 23.

[DeadlyDunc]

Can only hope that the France game was their final and they've emptied the tank. If they start like they did againt France we havnt got the firepower in attack to at least try and stay on par and could find ourself 20 points down very quickly!

Agreed. South Africa need to have a horrible off day and England need to find a level they’ve not been at for the past 4 years to have a chance.

I imagine SB and Aled will be hoping we are within a score after 60mins at which point anything can happen, even if the SA bench is monsterous. Without the likes of Jasper too who I thought would come in at 8 for this one.

SA by minimum 15 points for me though I’m afraid and up to a point the England selection doesn’t really make any difference, it’s hard to make a real case for changes as in reality the England players are all of a level - unfortunately that level is not that of SA.

[GB72]

If - as is say 80% (imo) likely - England's World Cup ends on Saturday evening then it could also be the final England appearance for - I reckon - at least 7 of the selected squad of 23.

I think very few of this squad will see an England shirt again. Look at the number of them that have hardly been on the pitch throughout.

[wigworth]

If - as is say 80% (imo) likely - England's World Cup ends on Saturday evening then it could also be the final England appearance for - I reckon - at least 7 of the selected squad of 23.

I would guess the third place play off will be the send off game for most if they don't get through.

[Jacko27]

Aagh. Forgot about that - the match that no-one wants to play in!

[Rugbygramps]

If - as is say 80% (imo) likely - England's World Cup ends on Saturday evening then it could also be the final England appearance for - I reckon - at least 7 of the selected squad of 23.

I would agree a South African victory is a 90% possibility.
Similar issue for the Boks in fact the English average age is 29 compared to Boks 30.

Still using age profile only plenty of this English squad will still be around in 4 years, though I appreciate it’s about more than that. Of the 33 players

Rodd, Sinckler, Dann, Itoje, Martin, Chessum, Earl , Curry, Willis, Mitchell, Smith, Arundell, Malins, Lawrence , Marchant, Steward should all still be around, form dependant and the powers that be sort out this playing in France issue

[RagingBull]

Gonna be a hell of an experience for Martin to learn from though, will certainly benefit us.
Having two locks in the 23 v SA in a RWC both u24 is crazy to build around

[Rugbygramps]

Gonna be a hell of an experience for Martin to learn from though, will certainly benefit us.
Having two locks in the 23 v SA in a RWC both u24 is crazy to build around

Absolutely and combine that with the talent of Henderson as a 3rd option

[GB72]

It is the hope that gets you. I know we have next to no chance on Saturday but my mind keeps thinking that SB and the coaching team will bring out that one off game plan that will nullify the opposition like they did against Saracens in the final.

Not going to happen and I fear a bit of a drubbing come Saturday night but that hope will not go away.

[Rugbygramps]

Yes similar vibes to Saracens v Tigers from a couple of seasons ago, but can’t see lightning striking twice

[northerntiger]

and yet......................remember how South Africa were given no chance before the last world cup final?