RWC 2019

Don't know, never really understood the intricacies of the dark arts! I just chucked the ball between 16 men and was lucky if I got it straight. Today my counterparts seem to feed it into the 2nd row!!

Seriously, yes I think it is a little safer given that we now have huge purpose built athletes on the hoof. Can you imagine allowing them to crunch together, wheel everywhere and drive over as we used to see. 

And then there was the flying wedge, remember that?

Back then it was so simple (or at least it seemed so!) The front rows simply locked together, the second rows joined along with flankers and finally no 8. You were not allowed to shove until the ball came in and was 'hooked' by the number 2 (hopefully Nellie will be joining this conversation!) I don't recall anyone actually getting injured during the scrum and can't for the life of me remember why it was changed? 'Ready, ready, NOW!' Is all I recall?

I do know the ball is now flung into the feet of the second row, so no longer any need for a hooker! Perhaps the answer is to put the ball in straight again??

And the flying wedge? Yes! It was dangerous and outlawed in the eighties as I recall? Some might say It was just a take on today's rolling maul?

It was, on all counts. Difference was it did not require a member of the opposition to be involved at 'take off'' and was often initiated at penalties.

I thought the Russians showed tenacity and kept going to the end. Given the exposure to matches against the top tier teams on a more regular basis it is only a matter of time before we have more shocks like the Japanese are providing me thinks.

Agree about the Russians, the only surprise with them is why has it taken them so long to get where they are? 

Talking about the dangers of rugby, the Italians decided to show the world probably the single most dangerous tactic in sport - the spear tackle. How dumb!!  For me, poor refereeing because both players should have been red carded!

I think the issue for the 2nd tier teams is that they are largely ignored by the 1st tier teams save every 4 years when they are thrown in the mix at a World Cup. I think it is time for the 1st tier teams to make a greater commitment to them and play them more regularly every season. 

Politics on some levels, the Russians are to a large extent Pariahs in most things due to their unsavoury habits & attitude to other Countrys. I struggle to think of a top class coach willing to commit to a Country that is totally unpredictable & makes up the rules as it goes along. Even more so for any Country willing to travel to Russia to play🤷🏻‍♂️☹️. Isolation shows in their fitness & tactical regime.

They've also been known to swallow a few performance enchancing tablets, get dope tested, found guilty and then totally deny it!

On second thoughts (and as Rocky has already pointed out) perhaps it's a good thing Russia are where they are. I find it difficult to believe they would ever embrace the morals of this great game 

What's the obsession with Russia? There are other 2nd tier countries worthy of support! Canada were a little disappointing today mind although aspects of their game were worthy of inclusion in this tournament. The old established ones just need in recognise their role in the global growth of the best game 'on't urf'!🏉

No obsession,Russia-they’re a pariah state, the others are not. Given the will any country can do a Japan, that is grow to become a force to be reckoned with👍🏻