NPR

Saturday, October 7th. Kick off 9pm local (8pm Ire/UK time)

Stade de France

Your officials
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes, Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan

The last role of the dice for our URC boetas. Cant ask for a bigger one like this. I will support Scotland. Will be fantastic if they can win this one.

SA on 15 points, Ireland 14 and Scot 10.

Quite a few permutations.

Simply, Scotland can't lose or draw and even a narrow win as they need the BPs.

Win with 4 try BP (15) and then it gets interesting with all sorts of permutations depending on whether Ireland manage 1 or 2 losing BPs.

Ireland lose without a BP and they're out (14), Scot BP win (15)

Ireland get 2 losing BPs (4 tries and lose by less than 7) (16) - Scotland out on points difference (15)

Ireland get 1 BP for 4 tries but lose by more than 21 (15), Scotland (15), SA (15) - South Africa out on points difference

Have I got that right?

Don't need a BP as long as they deny Ire a LBP. Both would be on 14 and ire out on head to head result.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:47 pm Don't need a BP as long as they deny Ire a LBP. Both would be on 14 and ire out on head to head result.

Ah yes. The easiest scenario to achieve for Scotland.

Insane_Homer wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:54 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:47 pm Don't need a BP as long as they deny Ire a LBP. Both would be on 14 and ire out on head to head result.

Ah yes. The easiest scenario to achieve for Scotland.

"easiest" does a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence.

Will be great to get the All Blacks.

To be honest, I think this is going to end up being a straightforward win for Ireland by 15 points or so, without our really firing a shot. Fairly similar to the game with SA, in fact.

However, I could also see us winning a game v Ireland, for the first time in years, and it counting for nothing. I was thinking that it would be really hard to take, but if it happens I think I’ll just take the win and accept we were fucked from the time the draw was made.

I'll be at the game

Expecting Ireland to win.

laurent wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:07 pm I'll be at the game

Expecting Ireland to win.

We'll all keep an eye out for a guy in a 'tarf jersey

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:36 pm

laurent wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:07 pm I'll be at the game

Expecting Ireland to win.

We'll all keep an eye out for a guy in a 'tarf jersey

Indeed

Take this with a pinch of salt if you like, but was talking to a mate, whose family friend is on the RFU board and well wired in to the World Rugby suits, played golf with one of them out in France earlier today apparently. the word is that WR are really concerned about the arcane nature of the tiebreakers given how much is at stake in this pool. Rumour is that to simplify it, in the event of a tie it will be decided based on the relative performance of the nations in the second world war. As I say, just a rumour but has to really pile the pressure onto the Irish.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:53 pm Take this with a pinch of salt if you like, but was talking to a mate, whose family friend is on the RFU board and well wired in to the World Rugby suits, played golf with one of them out in France earlier today apparently. the word is that WR are really concerned about the arcane nature of the tiebreakers given how much is at stake in this pool. Rumour is that to simplify it, in the event of a tie it will be decided based on the relative performance of the nations in the second world war. As I say, just a rumour but has to really pile the pressure onto the Irish.

I thought we'd agreed on an eating contest between the respective front rows; where they first drink twelve pints of Guinness, & then the front row that consumed the most escargot were the winners ?

In the event of draw there, we'd obviously go to the farting contest.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:05 pm

In the event of draw there, we'd obviously go to the farting contest.

Advantage Boks

Ireland will win quite straightforwardly.

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:51 pm Ireland will win quite straightforwardly.

I doubt it.

It's two sides that are totally familiar with each other, & the Scots know what they need to do, & will be looking at their opposite numbers, & weighing up all the times they've met, & the Irish won't be taking anything for granted for all the same reasons.

I'm thinking a spread of 5-10 points, with us the favorites, just because we've the ranking because of a consistent set of results.

I'm really hoping that a brain fart in the first 10 for either side doesn't ruin the contest, because we've both got players that can get just too amped up, & will go into a tackle & end up getting carded.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:23 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:51 pm Ireland will win quite straightforwardly.

I doubt it.

It's two sides that are totally familiar with each other, & the Scots know what they need to do, & will be looking at their opposite numbers, & weighing up all the times they've met, & the Irish won't be taking anything for granted for all the same reasons.

I'm thinking a spread of 5-10 points, with us the favorites, just because we've the ranking because of a consistent set of results.

I'm really hoping that a brain fart in the first 10 for either side doesn't ruin the contest, because we've both got players that can get just too amped up, & will go into a tackle & end up getting carded.

Mockers nonsense. You've had the Scots 8 in a row, you've got to go back to 2017 to find the last time they beat you and you had 4 in a row on them before that.

Have to agree. Ireland are at the peak of their game with a full squad completely focused on the task. They'll get past Scotland comfortably.

Flockwitt wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 5:53 am Have to agree. Ireland are at the peak of their game with a full squad completely focused on the task. They'll get past Scotland comfortably.

Same here, Ireland by 20.

No Hogg to drop the ball over the line this time.

If Scotland beat Ireland at the weekend, even by a point, it will be a RWC upset akin to Japan beating South Africa, there are over ten ranking points between us and Ireland, at the time there was 12 between the Brave Blossoms and Springboks.

There is always the chance of an upset in rugby, but I have the feeling that it is far more rare in our sport than in others due to the nature of the game and Ireland will not be caught unawares on Sunday.

If Scotland can get enough space for our backline to fire we can scare anyone, if we can defend and keep super clean at the breakdown, not giving away penalties, we can win.

Can Scotland assert the kind of dominance up front that is needed to fulfil those two “ifs”?

Well it would be a joy to see, but I’m not holding my breath

POM, VDF and Dorris will blow whoever Scotland select off the park. Scotland can’t get enough ball thereafter to unleash their backs.

Ireland at a canter.

Going to be tight for the first 60 min, Ireland just ahead after a few contentious decisions both ways. Bit of magic from Finn to put Darcy in for a worldy, Sexton will start gurning about something, spit flying everywhere and the Irish implode. Jocks by 16.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:59 am Going to be tight for the first 60 min, Ireland just ahead after a Tew contentious decisions both ways. Bit of magic from Finn to put Darcy in for a worldy, Sexton will start gurning about something, spit flying everywhere and the Ireland implode. Jocks by 16.

Love it.

Ireland could have an off day, but they'll still win by about 15 plus. There's no weak link in that team and their mental toughness is something else.

Begbie wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 8:06 am Ireland could have an off day, but they'll still win by about 15 plus. There's no weak link in that team and their mental toughness is something else.

Yup, unlike previous iterations, this lot just don't implode and don't panic.

Scotland by 12.

May the best team win.....I have a headache thinking about permutations. Just want a good game...far too few of those around this RWC.....

and hoping Ireland and Scotland get into a huddle after the game and praise the Lord , like SA and the Tongans.
We need to spread some of that love around.

Sards wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:16 am May the best team win.....I have a headache thinking about permutations. Just want a good game...far too few of those around this RWC.....

and hoping Ireland and Scotland get into a huddle after the game and praise the Lord , like SA and the Tongans.
We need to spread some of that love around.

I know there's a few sky fairy worshippers in the Scotland team and Ireland has a share of Nordies so they might be game as well, but I hope they don't, personally.

Sards wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:16 am May the best team win.....I have a headache thinking about permutations. Just want a good game...far too few of those around this RWC.....

and hoping Ireland and Scotland get into a huddle after the game and praise the Lord , like SA and the Tongans.
We need to spread some of that love around.

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 8:56 amScotland by 12.

Thats the spirit Slick. Going to be depressing as fuck round here with this lot.

Irish player to do something braindead and get red carded in the 8th minute.

Scotland to labour to 10 point lead before Zander Fagerson gets straight red for shoulder to head in ruck when the ball is already clear, circa half time.

Ireland to come back and lead in the 70th minute, Graham to score 2 tries and Scotland to win denying Ireland any BP.

TheNatalShark wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 1:58 pm

Graham to score 2 tries and Scotland to win denying Ireland any BP.

He'll go top of the try scoring table in the final.

So long as that prick Lowe gets carried off with a ripped bawsack I'm not that bothered.

Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 2:21 pm So long as that prick Lowe gets carried off with a ripped bawsack I'm not that bothered.

What's wrong with him? He's pretty sound as players go.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 2:26 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 2:21 pm So long as that prick Lowe gets carried off with a ripped bawsack I'm not that bothered.

What's wrong with him? He's pretty sound as players go.

Is it the hair? It's the hair.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 2:26 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 2:21 pm So long as that prick Lowe gets carried off with a ripped bawsack I'm not that bothered.

What's wrong with him? He's pretty sound as players go.

His screeching has surpassed what even peak-Itoje was capable of.

EnergiseR2 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 5:08 pm Not my bloody thing but growing the game FFS

Trolling Slick. Nice.

Punter15 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:08 pm

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 2:26 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 2:21 pm So long as that prick Lowe gets carried off with a ripped bawsack I'm not that bothered.

What's wrong with him? He's pretty sound as players go.

Is it the hair? It's the hair.

Men with ponytails. Stupid. Hope Duhan vd Merwe give him a hard time.