They said they had sold 35k for the Emirates a couple of weeks ago, and in 2013 a lot of the sales came in during the week before once Englands place was confirmed so in with a chance of selling out.

Not seen anything on the Quarters but we should be selling the DW out, orignally the game was set for Anfield before Liverpool's stadium work meant it had to move.

Sadly its looking half full at best in Sheffield. Know they dont want to annoy those who have bought tickets years ago but surely now is the time to get people back on side and discount at least the Quarter finals? Or even just issue everyone who has bought a ticket during the tournament a discount to buy another ticket for another game. Theyve got to do something or all people are going to remember is the empty seats.

Radley knock

Can't believe he's played the likes of Radley young welsby against greece should of been rapping the best players in cotton wool

Radley young welsby get injured that's our world cup hopes over

But tickets could be free and brammell Lane still wouldn't of sold out today

Don't worry, the marketing team have got it in hand... they've just emailed me about tickets for the Fiji v Scotland game that kicks off at 5pm in Newcastle....today

England scoring more than a point a minute, and they were crap for at least half of that.

Not sure of the wisdom of playing all 3 wingers together, or of playing props in all 3 group games.

Crowd looks quite good, for what is on offer.

How pished is Radley's dad?

They need to revert back to the old World Cup format next time, these blowout scores arent good for anyone.

Proposal for new format

Group A & B - 4 good teams per group, top2 go through to the Quarters.

Groups C & D - emerging nations 4 teams per group - winners go into a 2nd round against 3rd and 4th placed teams in A & B.

Adding a 2nd round also means a further week to sell tickets for the Quarters. I.e you'd know where England, Australia, NZ and Tonga are playing 2 weeks before.

Downside is tickets for a 2nd round itself wont be a must see event, plus keeping 4th placed teams who might not have won a game 'alive' in the tournament isnt great.

You name me a another world cup sport and trust me plenty of hamemerings happen

When England hammered them power house Panama!

The forms is fine.

Some games from the Union World Cup in 2019:

Groups -

Scotland 34-0 Samoa
Ireland 35-0 Russia
Scotland 61-0 Russia
Ireland 47-5 Samoa
Italy 48-7 Canada
South Africa 57-3 Namibia
New Zealand 63-0 Canada
South Africa 49-3 Italy
New Zealand 71-9 Namibia
South Africa 66-7 Canada
England 45-7 USA

Even the one in 2015 had New Zealand 62-13 France in the Quarter Final.

Blowout scores are everywhere. It happens. It just looks worse for us at times as not many nations are competitive.

However hopefully that changes and Tonga and Samoa become two great rugby league nations. To compete against Aus, NZ and England. PNG need some investment because they could become a real strong nation if given the help they need to develop players/coaches and facilities.

To say England only got 17,500 v new Zealand in Hull in 2018, today's crowd at Bramall lane was a good effort

Largest ever RL crowd in Sheffield.

And that should be applauded.

Sneyd was quality.

And a deserved MOTM, but i doubt will keep his place for the later stages unfirtunately.

What would be your starting 17 going forward?

1) Sam Tomkins
2) Dom Young
3) Callum Watkins
4) Herbie Farnsworth
5) Tommy Makinson
6) Jack Welsby
7) George WIlliams
8 ) Chris Hill
9) Andy Ackers (can we have Roby back please?!)
10) Tom Burgess
11) Elliot Whitehead
12) Morgan Knowles
13) Victor Radley

14) Mikolaj Oledski
15) Joe Batchelor
16) Luke Thompson
17) John Bateman

That would be my choice based on what seen so far and how players are likely to perform as we go up against better teams. I think our bench is weak compared to the aussies, but i like the look of our starting 13.

Lees in for hill

Only problem with having no Sneyd kicking game takes a massive hit as welsby Tomkins Williams not as good kicking wise

Against Australia and new zealand kicking game has to be spot on

Similarly ive just received an email to advertise the game at The Riverside, at 1pm, kickoff is at 2:30 I dont live in Boro...really frustrating that they arent even getting the little things right

We looked very pedestrian going forward with Lees and Cooper even against Greece, they are too lightweight, when Hill and Burgess came on game totally turned around so will be very suprised if Lees gets a game. Sneyd looked great against Greece with all the time in the world and behind a dominant pack, will prolly get away with it against PNG but wouldn't play him against any of the big boys, he's not international standard at anything except kicking, the kind of half we have had in the past and failed with.

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Dominic Young
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Tommy Makinson
6. Jack Welsby
7. George Williams
8. Matty Lees
9. Michael McIllorum
10. Tom Burgess
11. Elliot Whitehead
12. John Bateman
13. Victor Radley

14. Andy Ackers
15. Luke Thompson
16. Morgan Knowles
17. Mikolaj Oledski

McMeekan has impressed me too.

No Sneyd. Not good enough for me for the inevitable test against Ton/Sam and Aus/NZ.

How anyone doesn’t start Bateman is insane considering he was the best SR in Aus and one of the only ones who will give some mongrel. Knowles the same (minus NRL experience).

Hill and Cooper past it.

Lees been a part of a winning culture. Knows how to win. We need that so much.

Neither hooker is good enough to play 80. Same idea as Aus with Hunt running the game then Grant ripping it up. Hence Ackers on bench.

Backline picks itself.

Bench hard. Oledski all season has provided impact and he’s mobile. So for me, just beats out Bachelor, Pearce-Paul and McMeekan (who’s unlucky not to make my team).

Though some blow outs are to be expected in the group stages the weight of these to competitive matches has been very disappointing.

Aside from a good crowd in Newcastle for the opener its all been a complete waste of time, same Quarter finalists as 2017, only Samoa-France was all to play for and France as per usual didnt turn up. Serious rethink is needed for the next WC.

Shut up you moron and get back to your coal mine and flat caps.

Waste of time. Lol ok. There have already been more highlights and stories than any other World Cup for the past 30 years