RWC 2019 Draw

[Fireworks]

That is the best draw we could possibly have got. Neither Scotland or Japan will be easy but we would currently be favorites. As others have said it is now all about the schedule of the games. Any thoughts beyond that are into the realms of idle speculation which is what I think we are here for. Let the dreaming begin.

[RavenhillRaider]

Does anyone know when the fixtures will be released? I seem to think it was towards the end of the year post draw last time rather than the year after.

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[neiliog93]

South Africa would be likely q/f opponents and look very beatable too. But it would be typical Ireland to blow this.

[Fireworks]

South Africa would be likely q/f opponents and look very beatable too. But it would be typical Ireland to blow this.

Could we hold that thought until the morning of the game against SA, or whoever it may be.

[simonokeeffe]

South Africa would be likely q/f opponents and look very beatable too. But it would be typical Ireland to blow this.

Could we hold that thought until the morning of the game against SA, or whoever it may be.

No
That cart is well and truly before he hearse I mean horse

[Ruckedtobits]

South Africa would be likely q/f opponents and look very beatable too. But it would be typical Ireland to blow this.

Could we hold that thought until the morning of the game against SA, or whoever it may be.

No
That cart is well and truly before he hearse I mean horse

Even now JS is probably thinking about RWC2019 and how the NZ result yesterday looks in that context.

Without doubt he has already studied what Scotland and SA did in the past month and he'll have recognised that both are still on an upward curve. SA in particular have improved dramatically in 12 months and we will certainly face a hyped-up Springbok Squad in November.

Townsend will be pleased with the Scots performance against Australia but we will get a better idea in 6N in new year, whether that was a function of Scottish skills or Australian implosion.

However, JS will have watched the NZ backplay very carefully, but particularly defensively. They are still the only team he "fears" internationally and yesterday's result suggests more vulnerability than before.

[Twist]

Could we hold that thought until the morning of the game against SA, or whoever it may be.

No
That cart is well and truly before he hearse I mean horse

Even now JS is probably thinking about RWC2019 and how the NZ result yesterday looks in that context.

Without doubt he has already studied what Scotland and SA did in the past month and he'll have recognised that both are still on an upward curve. SA in particular have improved dramatically in 12 months and we will certainly face a hyped-up Springbok Squad in November.

Townsend will be pleased with the Scots performance against Australia but we will get a better idea in 6N in new year, whether that was a function of Scottish skills or Australian implosion.

However, JS will have watched the NZ backplay very carefully, but particularly defensively. They are still the only team he "fears" internationally and yesterday's result suggests more vulnerability than before.

SA's upward curve is worryingly steep. Maybe France have regressed but SA look like they have a fearsome unity of purpose and they certainly were not go backwards under Erasmus


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[Cathalsmart]

On South Africa, improved yes, dramatically no. They were so cr@p last year that any sort of improvement would look dramatic, let's see how they get on I need the Rugby Championship before we jump to any conclusions.

[simonokeeffe]

On South Africa, improved yes, dramatically no. They were so cr@p last year that any sort of improvement would look dramatic, let's see how they get on I need the Rugby Championship before we jump to any conclusions.

This is the most interesting RC for ages now

[FLIP]

[cormac]

Potentially a good draw for us, assuming we can hit the ground running.

[suisse]

Plenty of traveling though. Japan is a massive country, I thought they would try to group the teams as much as possible in one area, or even island.

It is over 1,000kms from Yokohama to Fukouka. Even with the JR pass, travel isn't cheap in Japan.

[CiaranIrl]

Are the two other teams still likely to be Romania & Tonga?

[jimbobjoe]

Tonga already qualified

[exwinger]

I think that Samoa are one of the teams in the league play off. Who will not be that easy. Could injure a few players before the quarters.

[Raydollard]

I really wonder if Joe is on the brink of leaving us for a better opportunity. Only reason for this is the very strange comments coming from him in the heel of the Zebo fiasco.

[neill_m]

Play Off is Samoa v Europe 2 (Spain, Russia are possible sides)

[El Diablo]

Plenty of traveling though. Japan is a massive country, I thought they would try to group the teams as much as possible in one area, or even island.

It is over 1,000kms from Yokohama to Fukouka. Even with the JR pass, travel isn't cheap in Japan.

That is daft. It goes to emphasis what a great fan experience Ireland 2023 would have been.
In Japan with 1,000 km journeys between venues, it will be tough on the players and add to the logistical challenges and expenses.

[dropkick]

Good draw having the 2 hardest teams first or a better way of putting it is having the weaker teams last. That allows rest and rotation.

The downside is SA have a similar draw, should we get them.

[simonokeeffe]

Samoa are an effing shambles these days on and off the pitch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa_nat ... rent_squad

locks are moslty NPC, outhalves are Aussie club rugby
even in traditional positions of strength theyve a lot of guys playing RFU championship/ProD2