RWC squads 2023
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@ARHS said in RWC squads 2023:
@Nogusta aha thanks. That makes more sense. Was watching to see if both allegiance changers Lamositele and Toomaga Allen got picked, but neither was.
Jeff Toomaga-Allen might not even be playing now as I haven't heard of any team signing him since he left Ulster at the end of the season just finished up there. He might even have retired?
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That squad just screams a dull, negative game plan. Just where is the pace? In the forwards there’s Curry who is quick and Earl who is quick but won’t get picked. In the backs there is only two. Bloody two with any pace. Watson and Arundel and he won’t get picked.
You know what, I’m thinking back to when Borthwick was captain of England and the drek rugby we played back then and I’m having recurring nightmares.
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@sparky said in RWC squads 2023:
No Henry Slade is probably the only real surprise from that England squad.
Lots of newish Forwards.
Irrelevant. They won’t play.
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I rate Itoje, Curry, Willis and Earls. I rate Watson, Arundell and Steward as a potential Back Three. Manu is a wrecking ball at his best. Care, Daly, Farrell, Ford and Young have lots of big match exeprience and have been to the World Cup Final before. England are the dark horses for the Webb Ellis trophy that no one is talking about.
But no one is talking about them. Almost zero media interest in this squad naming. It’s already well down the stories on the BBC Sports website. Eddie Jones knew how to create headlines, whereas the current England coaching set up have the charisma of a lettuce.
It looks like Rugby is on its way to be a minority sport in England if the RFU aren’t careful.
Mind you, another run to the World Cup final or a victory over the All Blacks will get the media’s and the wider English public’s attention.
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@sparky said in RWC squads 2023:
I rate Itoje, Curry, Willis and Earls. I rate Watson, Arundell and Steward as a potential Back Three. Manu is a wrecking ball at his best. Care, Daly, Farrell, Ford and Young have lots of big match exeprience and have been to the World Cup Final before. England are the dark horses for the Webb Ellis trophy that no one is talking about.
Agree with your first sentence, but Curry,Willis and Earls will not feature together (and maybe shouldn't). Billy V, if half fit, will play 8 until we're on the way out and he will be a handbrake on our go forward. Agree with your second sentence too except that Arundel won't play until it is to late. Either Malins or Daly will play on the other wing to Watson. They're both good players but one is getting a bit long in the tooth and the other is too lightweight at international level. Care and Youngs have experience alright but then again so does Gareth Edwards but he's not getting picked for Wales is he? We're not so much dark horses for the RWC, we are midnight black horses, hiding under an inky black blanket down the darkest coal mine.
But no one is talking about them. Almost zero media interest in this squad naming. It’s already well down the stories on the BBC Sports website. Eddie Jones knew how to create headlines, whereas the current England coaching set up have the charisma of a lettuce.
The charisma vacuum that is the current coaching set up (not in itself a bad way to be) is not the reason there is little interest in the squad selection. It is the dismal performances in the 6N and last weekend, where we can see little in the way of ambition or a game plan that the players seem to have bought in to and this squad selection just illustrates that we are going to get more of the same.
It looks like Rugby is on its way to be a minority sport in England if the RFU aren’t careful.
Football is so big that is always going to be the case. Certainly in the longer term.
Mind you, another run to the World Cup final or a victory over the All Blacks will get the media’s and the wider English public’s attention.
Yeah, but nah. Sadly.
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@Bovidae said in RWC squads 2023:
I see Borthwick has found himself some new props - Cole and Marler.
And meanwhile Val Rapava-Ruskin, who has been tearing trees down with both his scrummaging and his all round play gets the boot early on.
Rumour has it that if England do get to play NZ they will counter the Haka with the first verse of "Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler"?
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@sparky said in RWC squads 2023:
It looks like Rugby is on its way to be a minority sport in England if the RFU aren’t careful.
Alright chicken little. Club rugby around where I am is growing rapidly, we've just done our second clubroom expansion in less than twenty years as it was getting too small. It's typically stacked 3 days a week.
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@Bones Good to hear your club is bucking the trend. I can think of two or three clubs near me that would tell a similar story, even if overall playing numbers in England are significantly down.
Rugby union participation England 2024| Statista
How many individuals play rugby union in England? In 2024, there were around 240,000 participants in the sport.
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England turned up to 2007 looking old and a bit shit, and got pumped early. They then went on to not only make the final, but come within inches of stealing it. World Cups are funny things
Will top their pool. Will get a very winnable quarter. Then its semi final rugby where being tough and keeping it tight gives you every chance (especially after their opponents have played a huge QF). Not even close to writing them off yet.
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Fiji
Props
Eroni Mawi {27, Saracens, 23}
Peni Ravai {33, Queensland Reds, 39}
Jone Koroiduadua {24, Fijian Drua, 0}
Mesake Doge {30, Fijian Drua, 9}
Luke Tagi {26, Provence Rugby, 7}
Samu Tawake {26, Fijian Drua, 2}
Hookers
Tevita Ikanivere {23, Fijian Drua, 7}
Sam Matavesi {31, Northampton Saints, 24}
Zuriel Togiatama {24, Fijian Drua, 2}
Locks
Isoa Nasilasila {23, Fijian Drua, 5}
Temo Mayanavanua {25, Northampton Saints, 9}
Lock/Backrow
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta {25, Fijian Drua, 3}
Albert Tuisue {30, Gloucester Rugby, 17}
Lekima Tagitagivalu {27, Section Paloise Bearn Pyrenees, 2}
Backrow
Levani Botia {34, La Rochelle, 23}
Vilive Miramira {24, Fijian Drua, 1}
Meli Derenalagi {24, Fijian Drua, 2}
Viliame Mata {31, Edinburgh, 24}
Halfback
Frank Lomani {27, Fijian Drua, 24}
Peni Matawalu {26, Fijian Drua, 5}
Halfback/Flyhalf
Simione Kuruvoli {24, Fijian Drua, 5}
Flyhalf
Caleb Muntz {23, Fijian Drua, 2}
Flyhalf/Center
Teti Tela {32, Fijian Drua, 5}
Inside/Wing
Josua Tuisova {29, Racing 92, 19}
Inside/Outside/Wing
Semi Radradra {31, Bristol Bears, 13}
Outside/Wing
Waisea Nayacalevu {33, Toulon, 38}
Iosefo Masi {25, Fijian Drua, 1}
Wing/Fullback
Selesitino Ravutaumada {23, Fijian Drua, 3}
Wing
Vinaya Habosi {23, Racing 92, 4}
Jiuta Wainiqolo {24, Toulon, 6}
Wing/Inside/Outside
Kalaveti Ravouvou {25, Fijian Drua, 4}
Fullback/Outside
Sireli Maqala {23, Bayonne, 3}
Ilaisa Droasese {23, Fijian Drua, 2}
Waisea Nayacalevu will captain the Flying Fijians at the Rugby World Cup while Jone Koroiduadua is the only uncapped player named in the team.
Flying Fijians 33-member squad named for 2023 Rugby World Cup in France - Fiji Rugby Union
