World Rugby - Match discussions

Permutations…permutations. Gotta love :rugby_football:

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Gareth Anscombe injured in the warm.
Costelow at 10 with Biggar on the bench.
….
And our anthem was a complete mess!

43-19….comfortable enough for Wales in the end but Georgia are a tough team to beat.
So the pundits who said Wales wouldn’t get out of group have humble pie to eat.
We top it unbeaten.
Japan or Argentina next Saturday at 4.
I’ll be returning from Port Talbot after supporting Newport!

Arghh we are losing to Samoa at half time !

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England extremely fortunate to beat Samoa…not that it would have made any difference to the pool.

You’ve got to feel sorry for Wales :grinning:

Yeah……I’m quietly confident of a semi!

Portugal beat Fiji!

So its got more interesting for England’s next fixture as long as they get a good night’s sleep and are awake for the game!

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World RankingsOctober 9th
|1||Ireland|93.79||

|2||France|90.59||
|3||South Africa|89.70||
|4||New Zealand|87.69||
|5||Scotland|83.43||
|6||England|83.24||
|7||Wales|83.17||
|8|(↑9)|Argentina|80.55|(+1.24)|
|9|(↑10)|Australia|77.48||
|10|(↓8)|Fiji|77.16|(-4.00)|
|11||Italy|75.93||
|12||Japan|74.27|(-1.24)|
|13|(↑16)|Portugal|72.78|(+4.00)|
|14|(↓13)|Georgia|72.68||
|15|(↓14)|Samoa|72.23||
|16|(↓15)|Tonga|71.57|(+1.28)|

Wales v Argentina
Senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named his Wales XV to play Argentina at Stade de Marseille in the first quarter-final of Rugby World Cup 2023 (Saturday 14 October KO 4pm BST / 5pm local time live on ITV and S4C).

Following the 43-19 win against Georgia last weekend to make it four from four in Pool C, Wales have been preparing for the quarter-final from their new team base in Toulon.

Jac Morgan makes his fourth start of the tournament and captains the side at blindside flanker and he joined in the Wales back row by openside flanker Tommy Reffell and No.8 Aaron Wainwright.

Ryan Elias is named at hooker. Elias features alongside props Gareth Thomas (loose-head) and Tomas Francis (tight-head), who is making his 15th overall World Cup appearance.

Adam Beard partners Will Rowlands in the second row for the third time this tournament with both players making their fourth appearance at RWC23.

Dan Biggar returns at fly-half and Gareth Davies is at scrum-half.

Nick Tompkins and George North continue their centre partnership for the fourth time this competition. North is making his 20th World Cup appearance in his fourth tournament.

Liam Williams is named at full-back with Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit on the wings.

Among Wales’ replacements Dewi Lake, Corey Domachowski and Dillon Lewis are the front row cover while Exeter Chiefs duo Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza cover the second and back rows respectively, with Jenkins in line to make his fifth RWC23 appearance and Tshiunza his third.

The back line cover is provided by Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow and Rio Dyer.

Gatland said: “We had a goal of making the quarter-finals which we have achieved. Now it’s about building on that momentum.

“It’s exciting to enter into the knock-out stages of the tournament and we are ready for the challenge of a quarter-final. All our preparation has been geared to getting to this spot and we’re very much relishing the opportunity.

“We’re expecting another tough encounter this weekend against a physical Argentina side. We haven’t had the perfect performance yet, but we have shown that we are a hard team to beat.

“There is a lot more growth in this squad – collectively and individually – and we can’t wait to get out there in Marseille on Saturday.”

Wales senior men’s XV for the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final against Argentina at Stade de Marseille
Saturday 14 October, KO 4pm BST / 5pm CET. Live on ITV and S4C

  1. Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 88 caps)
  2. Louis Rees Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 31 caps)
  3. George North (Ospreys – 117 caps)
  4. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 31 caps)
  5. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 53 caps)
  6. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 111 caps)
  7. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 73 caps);
  8. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 25 caps)
  9. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 37 caps)
  10. Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 76 caps)
  11. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 28 caps)
  12. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 50 caps)
  13. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 14 caps) Captain
  14. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 12 caps)
  15. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 42 caps)

Replacements
16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 11 caps)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 53 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 11 caps)
20. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 9 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 52 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 7 caps)
23. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 13 caps)

So a big day ahead…and if Wales win I’m getting behind Ireland!
But never mind all that…

I’m off to the big rugby match……

No not the minor thing happening in France…
Aberavon v Newport.
Much more important Newport win than Wales!
IMG_0102
Newport won 31-8

Wales leading 10-6 at HT…anyones guess who will win
….
Charge at someone shoulder first and make head contact and it isn’t foul play?
Shocking decision.

Leads to an Argentina try and they lead 19-17 with 12 left.

Oh well!
The better side won

What a win for the Southern Hemisphere!
The game isn’t over until the final whistle.

Los Pumas!

More exciting games ahead and may the best teams win!

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Ireland against New Zealand

What a cracking match!

Have to see what happens tomorrow.

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Shame I was out……
And someone told me result.

Really want Fiji to win….
SA France…too hard to call.

What a game of :rugby_football: rugby that was!

My sincerest commiserations to France. Worthy competitors! It was such a close match! Nail biting finish. My nerves are shot!

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There’s been some great games.Ireland/NZ would have made a good final too.

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