England expects

Another new beginning? I think we can all agree that the pack looks tasty and a match to any other side but this evening's match is all about the backs.
England have to show they can score tries out wide and that the centres can a) pass, b) break the line, and then c) link with support.
We know they will win tonight, but can they give the South Africans something to think about in the build up to next week's big game?
The back row looks balanced (are you taking notes Andy Robinson?) and as club mates should know each other's games.
Other points to look for:

• will Sean Perry's form continue?
• is Olly the new Jonny? probably not but he's better than the current Jonny.
• will Lawrence be able to stop talking to the ref?
• how many times will Jason get the ball? My guess is about 5 with 2 tries.
• will Josh Lewsey remember to stop running into people and go for the space instead?

All soon to be revealed. Oh, and in other matches today, the Wobblies and Kiwis will win. But wouldn't it be fascinating if Italy and Scotland only put out 2nd teams against the Blacks, who then went into the quarters without having faced a proper team?

Frogs in Merde

Not a new recipe but the position the hosts find themselves over their croissants this morning. A stuttering forced performance last night and a deserved loss. Now they face having to thump Ireland and hope Ireland defeat Agentina to avoid playing New Zealand in Cardiff (!!!!) in the quarters. Any way you look at it, this is not the scenario the French management had in mind and they look in deepest poo from here on in.
Meanwhile, in the Argy camp all must be smelling of roses. The schedule was unkind to them, their next game is against Georgia on Tuesday, which didn't leave enough time to have properly celebrated a great victory last night. Shame because they deserved it.
Unlike my prediction, they managed to keep their tempers in check and played with a commitment and united passion which shold have brought a greater victory. France only came close once with a rolling maul in the second half, and once that was checked, les Bleus looked clueless.
Over in Camp Paddy, I imagine the sphincters were tightening as the match went on. One of the big 3 in this pool was always going home, but now, it doesn't look like its going to be the Argies!

RWC 2007

Well, fellow rugby fans, just a few short hours to go before the Frogs take on the Argies and kick off Le Party de Rugby.

I am sure we all have our own hopes for the tournament. As this is a site for English fans I hope you have all been praying hard. Jonny is out for 3-6 weeks. If it's the latter, what's the point, send him back to Newcastle now and let's get some positive thinking going. If it's only 3 weeks, can he get his place back? After all that stuttering in Marseilles, he wasn't exactly on top form.

Anyroad, I will preview the English game tomorrow, but today we have the real pleasure of seeing the hosts against the chevals noirs of the tournament.

We can expect to see lots of scrums, something the Hooker in all of us can enjoy. Will we see a straight put-in? I doubt it, but with luck a bit of gouging, some punches thrown and allround biff from two sides well versed in the Dark Arts of rugby.

Will Chabal get off the back of his waltzer and make an appearance? Will Dominici be the hero or complete prat this evening? Nobody knows, least of all him.

Will the Argies keep their tempers and discipline under provocation. Personally I hope not, not just for the spectacle, but also because we need France to progress to the semis to give the tournament a lift.

Remember too that the Argy coach, Loffreda, will be appearing at Leicester once the tournament is over, so we can expect similar high standards from the Tigers from October onwards.

Lastly, let's just enjoy a whole-hearted red blooded game without the need to cover our eyes in case Jonny cops one, or Grewcock gets sent off!