RWC 2011 Pool B Preview

A little earlier than previously predicted, due to me having forgotten that I had plans this weekend that involved being away from the creature comforts of wireless internet, laptop and iPad (what did I do before I got hold of this gadget?), here comes a preview of Pool B.

As the song goes "There'll always be an England", and in RWC terms, there has always been an England in the Final. Well, since 2003 there has. While 2003's victory was, if not completely expected, somewhat predictable, the appearance in the 2007 Final was a real surprise.

Indeed, 4 years ago, England suffered an awful mauling at the hands of the Springboks in the group stage, and my fear at the time was this would cause them to implode. However, with Brian Ashton performing miracles of a motivational kind, and with the big names stepping up and performing, they recovered to beat Tonga in what was effectively a sudden death match for qualification, before edging past Australia and France and reaching that final. On another day, they may have retained their title, but the South Africans were the best side and deservedly won their second final.

England are actually the second seeds in this group, with Argentina actually being the side ranked in the Top 4 when the Pools were announced. From that perspective, England got a good draw, as the Pumas have slipped substantially since 2007, and Scotland should not pose a problem outside of Murrayfield. The minnow of the group are Georgia and the returning Romania = absolute cannon fodder to not put too fine a point on it.

While England's build-up has been far from convincing, I sense a solidarity in the team, and with the experience provided by old heads such as Wilkinson, Tindall and Cueto behind the scrum, and Thompson, Easter and Moody up front, to say nothing of Simon Shaw (the last direct link of my playing days to professional rugby as we once locked horns in University days) who at 39 when the tournament starts will become the 2nd oldest player ever to grace the RWC.

England should have too much for everyone and should win the group with 4 wins. This will leave Argentina and Scotland playing off for 2nd place. The Pumas' stunning performance in France stirred the authorities into action belatedly as they tried to insist on their integration in an annual tournament (4 years to late to be of real benefit). Their squad looks a little weaker this time around; old in certain positions and too green in others. This is why I have them not competing with England. Continuing the music theme, I fear that "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" could be due an outing come the end of the Pool...

The reason being, that Scotland have been solid in their preparation matches, and Andy Robinson has turned them into a unit which wears the jersey with pride, which previous coaches had failed to do. They are an immensely proud Nation, and will give everything, but england will be a step too far for me, and I see Scotland's game with the Pumas being decisive and ultimately, if I remove the fence-like splinters from my derriere, I can see Scotland getting out of the Group. "Oh flower of Scotland, when will we see your like again?" Well, I guess it depends on what vintage we're looking for, QFs are attainable, but France or New Zealand in that Quarter Final will both be too strong for them.

Georgia and Romania will play off for 4th place effectively. Georgia are progressing and have some mighty forwards plying their trade in France (actually the high proportion of Argentinian, Italian, Georgian and Romanian prop forwards has left the French side with dilemmas in that area more than any other in recent years). There was a time in the 1980s that Romania were the 6th best side in Europe and were rumoured to be the side who would benefit and become the 6th Nation of the Northern hemisphere's foremost tournament. It didn't happen though, for any number of reasons both political, economic and pertaining to 'Old Farts'. What's for certain is that these two will be heading off home after the Pool stage; On a midnight train to Georgia? Probably not. I have them beating the Romanians though, and not just because I can't get the word Romania into a song title!

Time to get off the fence then I guess.

Predicted Pool B Standings

1. England, 2. Scotland, 3. Argentina, 4. Georgia, 5. Romania

Star of the Pool
The obvious candidate is Chris Ashton, whose tries and celebrations earned many column inches during England's 6 Nations Championship win. Fit and on form he is potentially the most devastating wing in World Rugby, as his positional play tends to see him in the right place at the right time more often that not. The potential star is another 'Englishman' in Manu Tuilagi. The Leicester centre has been stupendous this season, and after a sizeable rest at the end of the season due to, ironically, laying out his teammate Ashton with a real haymaker, he looks fresh and ready to go straight into England's problem centre position.

And finally...
The Tri-Nations decider this weekend sees New Zealand face Australia, and the All Blacks are back to something like full strength after putting the kids out against the South Africans last week. I remain far from convinced by the Australians, and this is their last chance to make me re-assess before I look at their Pool (I'm sure I can hear them quaking). New Zealand with a bonus point for me....

Meanwhile, in Dublin, Ireland and England complete their preparations with a repeat of the final game of this year's 6 Nations. A very different line-up on each side of the coin this time, and with neither side having really impressed in their warm-up games thus far, it could be a spicier game than you may otherwise have thought. No O'Driscoll or O'Brien for Ireland, and Wilkinson getting the nod for England may tilt the balance slightly in England's favour. Whatever, I can't shake the feeling that, useful though these warm-up matches must be on so many levels for the coaches, the feeling in the stands watching them is sometimes akin to that you get when watching a tin of magnolia dry on your walls (Note: I reserve the right to wax lyrical next week though if England win).

That's it for this blog. 2 more preview blogs to come over the next ten days or so, then I can get down to what I like best, the slightly off-beat look at the games as they start. Please add your comments or rate the blog at the bottom, all added encouragement gratefully received.