2023 U20 World Championships

[Quel Carreleur]

Italy given a right humping by Georgia this morning, and it's head-to-head > points difference, so Argentina effectively need a bonus point win (or 15 point margin without a TBP) to qualify, South Africa need any win.

Weather looks good for Ire v Fiji, but Ireland looking pretty ruthless.
Of course, England have a 26 point head start on Ireland, so assuming both win, then Ire will need a big score.
kO times (bizarrely) mean that, barring a century for Ireland, England will have qualification in their own hands. But let's secure the win first.

ETA: oh yeah, Georgia's win essentially confirms that both Ireland and England qualify - it's just a case of who gets France in the SF

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Gloucester looking at the contract trying to get some money off watching this scrum performance

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Mad considering how dominant it was vs Ireland,
Do Australians lose their ability to scrummage once they turn 21, but before that are beasts?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Cassius Cleaves is very good

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I like this ref a lot as well, handled that scuffle very well and put the Aussie water carrier back in his box too

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Right, I don't see Ireland steamrolling the last quarter, so "all" England need to do is make sure of the TBP win... Which is far from being a given.

That one will help

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Ire 40 - 22 Fiji
73 min.

Ireland 2 scores away from neutralising our 26 point advantage.
England 1 try away from making that actually relevant

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Ire 47 - 27 Fiji

80 min, but conversion to come

Any TBP win for England will do it.

 

[Groundhog]

Ireland were really poor to be honest, as bad as I've seen this group play. Have to bare in mind it's been a really tough week for them of course. Line out was just awful throughout, the decision making was poor and I thought our backs were just way too passive. We lost the run of ourselves at times there.

Some decent players in that Fiji side too

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sloppy from CCS, gotta go lower
Could be upgraded to red on review

 

[Groundhog]

They rushed through that card decision for me just like they did Ireland's one that got upgraded after the fact

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Sloppy from CCS, gotta go lower
Could be upgraded to red on review

Thankfully (from an England perspective) isnt

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Just a game to get through for our lads and well done, I'd say a good chunk of their heads couldn't have been further from the pitch given the tragedies in Greece and SA this week.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

They rushed through that card decision for me just like they did Ireland's one that got upgraded after the fact

Isn't that kinda the point though?

Was a definite yellow, could be red, let's get on with the match whilst TMO looks at it carefully and absent influence

 

[Groundhog]

Forgot the new system. Fair enough from ref. Actually think it's a great idea

 

[Groundhog]

Isn't that kinda the point though?

Was a definite yellow, could be red, let's get on with the match whilst TMO looks at it carefully and absent influence

Yes, my mistake I fully forgot the trial. I think Ireland's only got upgraded post match

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is there an additional TMO or is it just the one?
Only downside I can see is distracting the TMO for 10mins when they should be checking the game (the TMO is who pointed out CCS's tackle in the first place, so if he's not watching the game for the next 10...?)

 

[Groundhog]

Slow that conversion the **** down Aussies

 

[Groundhog]

Can't tell whether that was incredibly selfish or indecisive from the Aussie player

 

[TRF_Olyy]

CCS MOTM? Really?
Is he the only one they know the name of or something?

 

[Quel Carreleur]

I hadn't calculated for a draw.
I think that would leave England in poll position for 4th seed, but brings NZ back into play (assuming Wales don't perform a miracle against France).

ETA - that looks right, but NZ would have to catch up a 66 Points Differential (against Japan, so possible) - unless it's wins > PD...

 

[Groundhog]

Jaysus we are lucky today. Thi k we deserve it over our form in the last year

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So sloppy by england

Mapletoft could do with playing our best back row though
6. Carnduff
7. Woodman
8. Either the two actual number 8’s

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Not really too familiar with the format but I'm guessing we're more or less guaranteed the winner of the SA, Arg etc... Pool rather than NZ or Eng?

 

[Groundhog]

Not really too familiar with the format but I'm guessing we're more or less guaranteed the winner of the SA, Arg etc... Pool rather than NZ or Eng?

Correct. If England had got a BP there we'd probably have had France which is obviously not ideal. That said we will have to beat them at some stage and shouldn't fear them in any case

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Not really too familiar with the format but I'm guessing we're more or less guaranteed the winner of the SA, Arg etc... Pool rather than NZ or Eng?

Barring shenanigans...
France will be top seeds, with 15 match points.
Ireland will be 2nd seeds, with 13 match points.
SA are favourites for 3rd seeds, as 3rd best pool winner (even if with 9 match points).
England will be 4th seeds, with 10 match points.

Shenanigans could include Wales beating NZ; or NZ beating Japan by 66+ points.
Pool C is SA's with any win; Arg if they win with a TBP, or without a TBP, but a 16+ points difference; or Georgia if Argentina win without a TBP and 15 or less points difference, or a draw.

Then it's 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd in the SFs

 

[Groundhog]

Wales actually look v good on the ball, v unlucky to throw an intercept and go the other way. Welsh 10 looks handy. Yellow there will go up to a red for me

 

[Groundhog]

This referee is woeful good lord

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Wales actually look v good on the ball, v unlucky to throw an intercept and go the other way. Welsh 10 looks handy. Yellow there will go up to a red for me

Can't get it to play - which is probably good, because I'm at work now. - would have been nice to have it on silently in a background window to check scores between patients.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Another couple of red cards for France and I reckon we might sneak this.