.....anybody interested in the Rugby World Cup?

Will England retain their title, despite indifferent form coming into the tournament?

Yes, and No (regrettably)

Off now to watch France v Argentina!

Wooooooooo
The Argentinians cant sing!

Going well for Argentina...

France were simply awful! They got a litttle bit better towards the end but Ireland will thrash them if they play like that agianst them.

Can England retain their crown? No.

Come on Scotland!! (said in hope rather than expectation!)

I missed most of the France v Argentine match because France Television timetabled it against a showing of "The Three Tenors" as a tribute to Luciano Pavariotti. I wasn't going to miss that.

I saw little bits of the match and was very disappointed that the French couldn't get over their nerves. The Argentinians were much better and played a faster, more confident game. I don't know a lot about rugby but down here in SW France it is the "in" sport. I found that very surprising when I first arrived here. It wasn't the sort of game I thought would be played in this heat. Our local rugger club are regarded as heros - next only to the firemen!

England have won their first match, but 28-10 against the USA doesn't seem impressive compared to what New Zealand and Australia did today...

A win is a win, but still, not an impressive start. On the other hand, were the USA just better than everyone thought?

I didn't get to see the game. I'm very interested... I still remember watching the final in my living room the last time round the morning of a friend's wedding (she had the sense to schedule the wedding in the evening ) - I doubt we'll retain the crown on present form though we'll see.

28-10 against the USA is a humiliation - for England.

(Fortunately the football and cricket teams turned in decent results.)

barry

Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a good result in the next match...

At least England didn't lose, but it just doesn't fill you with confidence...

After the France v Argentina Match I kept singing the words "Don't cry for France Argentina" to the tune of a rather well-known tune by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

At least England won even if the win didn't exactly cover them with glory!

Hopefully, but no team has retained the World Cup after winning it.

I don't have much interest in Rugby, so I'll back out of this thread...

Car Expert

England have been absolutely hopeless...

2 words - oh dear

England were awful....not really much else to say. Even me as a Scotland supporter feels slightly sorry for them!

Can't believe I missed this thread (especially as it's about fit blokes in shorts...)!

Sunday was bliss - pie and beer with friends, watching the Wales match (42-17 ). I'm not going to be around for the next two Wales matches but am bracing myself for an Australian victory tomorrow afternoon.

The less said about England's performance this evening, the better

I think England might qualify for the last eight...

I'm hearing the state of play via katyjay on msn via misterjay in the next room...

England FTW

Hehehe!

So you don't need me to tell you it's 33-13 to England at the moment then...

I'm so pleased that today is the last match in our town. We've been inundated by rude, drunk at 11 in the morning, screaming at 4 am outside one's window and then abusing those people who ask them to be quiet, fighting in the street touristy types.

Please may they all go home today.... please! (hopeful face)

We're through!! Yay!! i made my dad video it last night, as i was out till 9.30 and was then up till about 11 watching it! Sooooo pleased we've not been kicked out; otherwise we'd've been the first previous champions to be out before the quaters...Australia next...

I don't! The Aussies will take them to pieces. They're playing just as well as the Springboks and look what they did to England. England still have A LOT of improvement to do before the Australia game.

England have qualified for the last 8.

Last 4 : different story, though one can hope....

oopps!! Sorry i thought it did say the last 4!!

We're nearly at the start of the game...

Think that covers it...

I have one very happy hubby here.

WE WON!!! We beat the AUSSIES!!! YAAAAY!!!
think you get the idea

Forgive me I had to do it.

...and England meet France in the semis, which I certainly didn't see coming...

Who'd like to predict a Fiji win today?

Are Fiji playing South Africa?

They are Nicki.

Argentina meet Scotland in the other quarter final.

Oooo, I see

We were glued to the television for the France / All Blacks match last night and the end was absolutely nerve racking!! WE WON !!!!

Hmm...I don't hold out extensive hope for that one!

Never say never, I really didn't think England would beat Australia, but they did!

England finally remembered how to play good rugby again! I have to admit they were a lot better than any other game they've played in the RWC 2007 so far. Am still in shock that New Zealand are out. Didn't see that one coming!

Fiji certainly aren't making it easy for the South Africans. I still think the Boks will win though.

Good luck Scotland! Personally i think we have a chance but Argentina will probably win.

Fiji have just been knocked out by South Africa, but they did so, so well...

So, how do people think the big match will go - will England make it to the final?...

I'm going to leave a post full of smilies.





There.

Doesn't that look good!

WOO!

Well done lads.

They're doing the Hurrah Hakka!

Mr LT very pleased. Didn't know LT Minor was also watching the rugby until she said 'goodnight' a minute ago

Did LT minor really say just 'goodnight',

Or was it more like : 'goodnight...WAHAY!!!!!! WE WON!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!'

'England won, goodnight mummy' to be precise......she is only 7 and not quite a connoisseur like your great self and Mr LT. Although she knows more about it than I do!
Appreciation will come with time, I suspect, if Mr LT has anything to do with it! He managed to get me to watch cricket

The next thing, he'll get you to watch golf...

But back to the rugby.

I have a further comment to make.

Which is this.

Thankfully not - he doesn't like golf! Would rather watch paint dry!

Enjoy the victory whilst you can. One great comment that Mr LT made about the England cricket team earlier this year "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory"....... let's hope they manage to go all the way in the rugby!

My goodness, I couldn't look for the latter stages!