RugbyRebels

England
France
Argentina
Americas 1 (USA or Canada)
Oceania 2 (Fiji or Samoa)

Yeah, I'm not entirely sure that that could have gone worse.

Puja

Testing for sure...

Literally the only way that could've been more testing is if we'd got Oceania 1 (so the other one of Fiji or Samoa) instead of Americas 1. It's certainly not beyond us, and if we've got realistic dreams of winning the competition, then we should win the group, but I'd've preferred only one really challenging game.

I was watching the draw live and hoping that NZ would go into that group, but instead they got South Africa and Italy. Japan got Scotland and Ireland, which is good news for the game as they can definitely be competitive there. Wales got Australia and Georgia, so probably the weakest Tier 1 side.

Puja

Not the easiest. But not terrible. Definitely doable.

But the whole draw is a bit meh. The only possible surprise is in England's group between France and Argentina. Would have liked to see a few more big matches between 2nd and 3rd tier sides.

That pool draw in full ...

Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, Play-off winner
Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1, Repechage winner
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2
Pool D: Australia , Wales, Georgia, Oceania 1, Americas 2

Statistically, we do have the hardest pool, though, and NZ the easiest, by a distance.

If you lot win I think that will put you onto the All Blacks side of the draw (assuming they top their pool as well, of course). Tasty stuff.

Injuries might be a big issue depending on calendar.

FFS. That's a bruising, physical group. Best give redacted a call.

Not that fussed really as if they are good enough they will go through the group. I would back Jones to make a better fist of a RWC than Johnson and Burt.

Stom wrote:Statistically, we do have the hardest pool, though, and NZ the easiest, by a distance.

Oh, sure. 2-time champions, never-lost-a-final South Africa won't be a problem at all.

Well, unless the Bokke sort their shit they won't pose any problems. They're probably relieved they've only been drawn with Italy, and not someone like Argentina

Ireland must be laughing, that is one shitty draw.

Lizard wrote:

Stom wrote:Statistically, we do have the hardest pool, though, and NZ the easiest, by a distance.

Oh, sure. 2-time champions, never-lost-a-final South Africa won't be a problem at all.

Yeah, they're not exactly the force they once were, are they? More recent than their never-lost-a-final is losing to Japan and Italy and getting embarrassed by Ben Youngs.

Even if they do prove a mild challenge, you've got to expect one hard game in a pool. Your other opponents peak at Italy - we've got Argentina and Samoa. Wanna swap?

Puja

Lizard wrote:

Stom wrote:Statistically, we do have the hardest pool, though, and NZ the easiest, by a distance.

Oh, sure. 2-time champions, never-lost-a-final South Africa won't be a problem at all.

Average ranking of NZ's pool: 13.2
Average ranking of ENG's pool: 9.6

Other pools:

A) 10.2
D) 11.2

(These rankings are not certain, as I am unsure as to the final positioning of Samoa, Tonga and Russia)

Just seen this posted elsewhere...it could be IF we win the pool.

Quarter final of Wales or Australia...IF we win this then...

Semi final NZ unless they had a nightmare!

Georgia have a great chance to demand to play at the top table!

Otherwise, well better to be battle-hardened, eh?

Remember after the last world cup thinking it couldn't be that bad again, it's worse.

Fwck sake. We'll do well to get out of that.

Jammy Oirish feckers though!

The dress rehearsal put us with Scotland and Italy.....

Can't we refuse to accept the outcome and demand another ballot...I mean draw

Tigger wrote:Just seen this posted elsewhere...it could be IF we win the pool.

Quarter final of Wales or Australia...IF we win this then...

Semi final NZ unless they had a nightmare!

Yeah - that's ugly ...

Group-wise, a fair bit will depend on the sequence of the fixtures and we'll need our depth otherwise we'll be struggling in the knock-out stages.

Wales' group will probably have Fiji in it as well who could spring a surprise. Georgia will be a bruising game that will definitely test their depth too.

I dont understand all the doom and gloom myself. If we are not good enough to get out of the group then we wont have a chance of winning. I know this is stating the obvious but come on. English mentality is baffling at times as the Kiwis would not give a monkeys if drawn in that group and back themselves to win every game. I bet Jones is relishing the RWC after that draw.

skidger wrote:I dont understand all the doom and gloom myself. If we are not good enough to get out of the group then we wont have a chance of winning. I know this is stating the obvious but come on. English mentality is baffling at times as the Kiwis would not give a monkeys if drawn in that group and back themselves to win every game. I bet Jones is relishing the RWC after that draw.

Right with you Skidger. Couldn't care who is in our group.

skidger wrote:I dont understand all the doom and gloom myself. If we are not good enough to get out of the group then we wont have a chance of winning. I know this is stating the obvious but come on. English mentality is baffling at times as the Kiwis would not give a monkeys if drawn in that group and back themselves to win every game. I bet Jones is relishing the RWC after that draw.

Yeah, but the thing is that there's very little down time in that group. Only one game really where there'll be much opportunity for resting people. Mind, we'll have the advantage this time around of not still being experimenting with our lineup in the pool games, which won't hurt.

Puja