2023 Rugby World Cup

[KnickerlessParsons]

Can't find a thread so thought I'd start one nice and early for some pre chat.

Really don't think either England or Wales are going to get out of the pool rounds 🙁

I never cheer for Scotland... but I will be doing this weekend. Im scouring my wardrobe for something that can pass for tartan.

DH is working until 6.30pm on Sunday so we're both going to try to stay away from all media and watch the game when he gets home. Hopefully I will be jumping on this thread later in celebration (sadly this feels unlikely but you never know..)

Not a fan, but have close connections to the Irish team, and will probably go to Paris for those games.

I'm so excited. Scotland have a real uphill battle ahead of them but being the underdog puts the pressure more in ZA and Ireland. We had an "easier" draw in Japan and still didn't make it out of the group. If we can "keep the heid" we could surprise one of the big two. I love the way we play. Happy to watch Finn, Huwpilotu and our little and large wingers give it a go. So much to love.

Even if you arent a fan, watching a world cup game in Paris will be amazing. I looked at tickets but they were so pricey and my husband isn't interested so wasn't brave enough to book to go alone. Wish I was now.

It's still good fun if you just go and watch in a fan zone.
When the World Cup was in England DH and I watched loads of matches this way.

TODAY’S THE DAY!!

tonight’s match should be a cracker!

🏉🏉🏉🎉🎉🎉

Woke up with a real sense of excitement this morning. Listening to the "sports news" headlines on the radio while getting ready for work, it was just football, football, football, celebrity twaddle about football players unrelated to the actual game and that was it. Not even a single mention of the fact a major international tournament starts today 😡

But still, I'm very excited. Roll on 8pm!

Can't wait for tonight's match. Was looking at the weather and it's so hot in France too this weekend. Nervous for England. Playing rugby in 30 degree heat must be brutal. Hopefully the pitches aren't too hard and we don't get too many injuries.

Brave /strange call by borthwick to start Mitchell when he wasn't even picked in the original squad but hoping he does a great job. Like how he plays in the prem.

It's weird how little attention rugby gets in national news, isn't it - be it tv or newspapers. And the three home nations that are not England get even less attention than England does. They always seem to be an afterthought to an afterthought.

Surely part of the issue is that the Irish team is an all-Ireland team, not a NI one hence not a ‘home nation’ situation at all?

I think the attention that England used to get was mainly player scandals. Press don't seem to care much yet but may increase.

As a Saints fan, I'm thrilled that Mitchell is finally getting a start....but equally a little nervous about how he may perform. IMHO, he's been brilliant for England off the bench. During the Six Nations he provided some much needed energy when he came on but he's never started before and it's a big game...

Predictions? I’m saying France tonight, Argentina win against England tomorrow, Scotland Sunday and Fiji to win against Wales.

Interesting! Would certainly shake up the tournament.

Agree with France and possibly Argentina. Think Wales will edge out Fiji though. Hoping against hope for a Scotland victory but head says the Boks are too strong.

I’m in Paris! 50th birthday pressie arranged three years ago for DH and me.
our son and gf are here too and coincidentally fly to Auckland tomorrow to spend a year there. So supporting All Blacks tonight and through tournament given England are so dismal
its pretty good fun as Aussies also in town for their game tomorrow and the French fans look for to burst. But It is currently 35 degrees. Hope it’s a cracking game

I am going to go France, South Africa, England, Fiji but I think they will all be close. Hoping I am wrong on South Africa

Well I might be wrong on Scotland as I think it will be a France South Africa final. 🙂But hopeful.
Can’t see the heat helping Scotland either.

@ipredictariot5 lucky thing.I was there for the final in 2007 . Amazing last minute decision ( we don’t live too far from Euro shuttle) . We got tickets from a tout on the night and were fully expecting them to be fakes. But no we got in and got great seats. Shame we lost.

I want, more than anything right now, to see a Scotland victory on Sunday but in reality I suspect we'll come tantalising close, only for the Boks to snatch victory at the close. Other than this, I agree with all Awittyfool's predictions including France/SA final.

Woo hoo!!!!

I reckon England and Wales might both scrape a win, but not overly confident in my prediction!

Oh how I pray you're right but it's definitely optimistic. I reckon England will sneak a win, and we'll sneak a lose 😩 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

So jealous of my sisters who both managed to get tickets and who have just met up in Marseille. Grrrrr. Wish I was there