Is Englands world cup squad to...?

Question

old to win the world cup?

Will you have a bet on anybody?

I think the Irish could be in with a chance.

Answer 1

Basically no I don't think that they are too old. They are all fitter than they have been for years, and have bags of experience of being in the thick of things when the boots start flying.  The thing that worries me more than anything is that we seem to be attempting to win the world cup with the same gameplan as when we won in 2003. That is by having a huge pack, dominating posession and relying on the grunters up front to either batter their way over the line or pressurise teams into conceeding penalties so that Jonny can kick us to a win. I know that it worked well then but I think that the world game has moved on from there now and although we will be a match for anyone in the physicality stakes, the game is alot faster now and teams like New Zealand and South Africa have the big forwards but have found a way to overcome our limited game plan by recycling  the ball far faster than we can, upping the pace and and varying the point of attack so that defences get quickly stretched, just as our defence did on occasions against France last week. England are playing with a rugby league style defence which allows teams to come onto them. It worked superbly against Wales a fortnight ago and will work again in the early rounds but once we get to the big boys I sadly feel we will be found wanting and unless we can slow them down at the rucks and mauls, they will in get behind us and cause havoc. Our only chance of doing this is by wrapping Tom Rees (our only genuine Open-side) in cotton wool until the later rounds when we will need him to be at his best.

As for who i'd bet on to win the World Cup I don't think that you can look much further than New Zealand or South Africa.

Alot will depend on England's match against the Boks...we win.... the Boks meet the All-Blacks in the semi-final.  We could still get to the final.....Then it's anybodys cup. Stranger things have happened. C'mon England !!!

Answer 2

How England fare won't depend on the age of the players, but on the tactics and style of play that they adopt.  

When the southern hemisphere teams play, the ball control is excellent and the lines of running are often breath-taking.  Also, when there's a ruck, the defending side will back off and get into defensive positions, ready to attack as soon as the ball comes out.  Our players seem to be sucked in, which leaves us exposed.

I can't see anyone beating the All-Blacks on the form they've shown during the last year.

However, the host nation, France, might be worth a long odds bet.

Answer 3

England are not skilful enough with the basics of the game to be a real force in the World Cup .

They are hopeless at the backline basics of catch, pass and kicking . Cannot show enough in attack to really score any tries or find holes in the opposition defence ..

The forwards are not fit enough to go the full distance .. Too old and too slow and they also lack the ball handling skills to threaten in the linking .

Answer 4

The Irish,  who have never got to a World Cup Final,  to win it.  You'll be saying next the Welsh have got a chance.

Answer 5

well the welsh do have giggsy!... oh well I dont think England is too old because it is a mix of new and veterans. The problem is they dont play well together. And Ireland... Don't make me laugh...

Answer 6

Not too old, maybe too dull, too slow, to simple.

International rugby has come a long way in the last four years and despite being the world champs, the English haven't really been the greatest ambassadors of the game during their reign as world champions - not exactly at the cutting edge of running rugby. Not really setting the game on fire or pushing the game forward as a spectacle, allowing the game to grow.

England are masters of playing it safe - slowing the game down, they like to hog possession, play for territory, roll out the big predictable set plays and generally frustrate the opposition and capitalize on infringements - kick the points rather than craft stunning plays based on speed, explosive power and dynamic individual skill sets.

It would seem absurd that a world champion team could not comfortably cruise through to the quarters or semis, but its certainly not going to be an easy task for England to come out on top in their pool matches - they have to beat RSA, Samoa and Tonga.

And . . . coming out on top in their pool is exactly what England need to do to go through to the final. If they come runner up in their pool,  . . . they will most likely have to beat Australia in quarter final one and then beat New Zealand in the first semi just to get a look at the final.  

If England win all their pool matches then they have a relatively easy road to the final - only Wales and France standing in their way. (The Taffies and the Frogs will still be a big ask)

The Irish on the other hand have certainly grown their game, they are wonderful to watch and certainly know how to move the ball - but even my Irish mates (with a skin full of the very best New Zealand beer) will tell you that Ireland have little chance off pulling off the full monty and actually winning the cup.

Romania is paying pretty good ping with the bookies - get on it bro !

Answer 7

My choice, The All Blacks, They are formidable.

Answer 8

I dont know if they are too old, but I dont think they really have a chance.  Watching their game against France was an eye opener.  They really havent evolved at all.  It is very slow, 1 out type of Rugby and every time France went wide, they looked to be just an inch from cutting England apart... a bit more polish and the French are looking good at the cup.

They will be up against it to beat South Africa in the pool match and if they lose, they face a Quarter Final against Australia which will be tough... and if they won that, they face New Zealand in the Semi which would be almost impossible (on current form)... and if they won that, they'd probably be up against the Boks or France, which would be almost impossible again.  Even if the won the pool match against South Africa, they'd probably meet Wales in a Quarter (who I think they could take), but then they'd have to go through France in a semi, only to meet NZ or Australia in the final.  They have a chance to beat ANY team in the World Cup... but to beat ALL those teams, one after another... I really dont think so.

As for the Irish... I am a big fan of theirs even though O'Driscoll is a cry baby hahahah.  I dont think they have a chance though because I cant see them beating France in the pool match and I actually have Argentina beating them in a mini upset as well.  Argentina always field a powerful forward pack and they have the French flair in the backs (if not the same skill level) but most importantly, if you look at their form, they are playing with HUGE confidence and truly believe they can beat anyone.