Rugby World Cup

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Little Nemo Sep 2023 10:53pm, 23 Sep 2023 13,894 posts	0 Little Nemo Got to feel for Scotland - they're 5th in the world and not going to get out of their group unless something very strange happens.
Badger Sep 2023 11:02pm, 23 Sep 2023 16,560 posts	0 Badger Yeah I’m crossing my fingers for SA to pick up half a dozen red cards in the first five minutes of each of their remaining games. Actually wouldn’t want to get out of the pool at Ireland’s expense at this point, I’m rooting for Ireland to win the cup now.
LindsD Sep 2023 8:17am, 24 Sep 2023 64,037 posts	0 LindsD
HappyG(rrr) Sep 2023 8:26am, 24 Sep 2023 47,807 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) What a game! Ireland to win World Cup would be fab result. Scotland have had a nightmare group, we all knew it from start. Shame but really never had a chance to go through. G
Nellers Sep 2023 8:46am, 24 Sep 2023 41,283 posts	0 Nellers So why was the draw done so early? What was the rationale for that? Seems an obviously daft choice.
njosmith Sep 2023 8:50am, 24 Sep 2023 935 posts	0 njosmith As I understand it he early draw was about logistics for teams [and broadcasters]sorting out hotels and training facilities. And to enable fans to plan in advance for which matches they could attend. The cricket world cup in India has the exact opposite scenario with games not locked in until very recently making it hard for the teams, media and fans to organise to get between games.
SPR Sep 2023 8:53am, 24 Sep 2023 42,728 posts	0 SPR I'm reading that the pool draw took place on 14 December 2020? That's too early for any reason.
Cheg Sep 2023 8:56am, 24 Sep 2023 3,961 posts	0 Cheg simonssportingblog.wordpress.com
Cheg Sep 2023 9:04am, 24 Sep 2023 3,962 posts	0 Cheg 14th December 2020 based on 1st January 2020 rankings. Obviously ridiculous. That said the groups could have looked like this based on pre tournament rankings. Pool A - Ireland, Argentina, Wales, +2 Pool B - South Africa, Fiji, Georgia, +2 Pool C - France, England, Samoa, +2 Pool D - NZ, Scotland, Australia, +2 I definitely have sympathy. I guarantee there would be little to no sympathy if it was England in their position. Also 5th flatters Scotland. It’s the top four and there it’s much of a muchness 5-8.
SPR Sep 2023 9:08am, 24 Sep 2023 42,729 posts	0 SPR Scotland have been clearly better than England, Wales and Australia recently so I don't think 5 does flatter them.