OK... I’ll take that bet (let’s make it a charity donation)

Of course it will be very difficult to judge who wins (we will both have to donate then of course) but my bet is on being able to find and post links to a lot of negative reviews about the WC over the next few weeks...

Like I said, just a friendly fiver as it will be impossible to prove which of us was right. My logic was that I've yet to see the BBC criticise union. ITV aren't going to slag off the sport they've ploughed millions into and Sky Sports put a positive slant on every sport whether it be speedway, baseball or conkers.

BBC already a little critical Rugby World Cup splutters into life - Opening ceremony outshines first match www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/alastaireyky ... _into.html

BBC already a little critical Rugby World Cup splutters into life - Opening ceremony outshines first match www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/alastaireyky ... _into.html

Serves you right mate,you will get no sympathy from me.

Each to their own mate,but don't expect me to agree if that's alright with you.

You are my kind of guy jonny.

Now I never thought I would say this because I am straight but I think I am in love.

Francis Meli will be crushed.

Why's that then Catalancs.

Amazing stat I've just seen. This afternoon Saints had a higher percentage of English born players then England in the union world cup this morning.

Aye 15 out of the seventeen where brought through the academy including Jon Wilkin who played several games in the academy and a win also,nice one,see you in the play offs Catalancs.

I see that Japan’s side today included several traditional Japanese names in their starting 15... Shaun Webb, Ryan Nicholas, James Arlidge, Luke Thompson and Michael Leitch

When the squads started to come out a few weeks ago I posted something to that affect. I think I'm right in saying that it's the case for almost every squad at the tournament.

And almost every sport on the planet... but it’s only Rugby League fans that label their own international sport a ‘joke’ for doing it

We get more than our fair share of help on that front from the press and media.

[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/8753459/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-ITVs-familar-faces-struggle-to-rise-to-the-occasion-during-opening-game-between-New-Zealand-and-Tonga.html?ITV coverage gets the thumbs down.[/url Just read some of those comments



[url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10750724Northern arrogance masks mediocrity[/url
[i'Most of the rugby played in the Northern Hemisphere for the past four or more years has been best suited to staging on a garbage tip. I suspect this tournament will be come-uppance time for most of those sides.'[/i

[url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2035904/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Red-faces-ITV-Haskell-turns-air-blue.html?Language please![/url

ITV should never be allowed anywhere near sport. They are gash.

We're accused of being arrogant by a New Zealander?? Good call. We've reached more World Cup finals than the All Blacks so maybe we're allowed to be arrogant.

What did they want him to say? Comparing swearing at a player who has just gouged your eyes to a player swearing DIRECTLY into a camera after scoring a goal is the most pointless thing in the World. It's like comparing rugby league to rugby union.

Wales knock a kick between the posts and it's not given and then the the world's pundits, like Jonathan Davies, say that's life and Wales lose by a point.
Maradonna de javu.
It doesn't matter that some doesn't check it out on a replay.
That's life.
Yeah it will continue to be in a world populated by Blatters.
It needn't be this way.

Wasps beat Leicester Tigers 35-29

It's easy to believe that Union has closed the gap in recent years...until you watch some of it.

I was channel hopping on Saturday morning, every time there was a stoppage in the Broncos vs Warriors game I'd flick over to ITV & see what was happening...had to do this SIX times before I saw the ball in play...even then the second guy to touch the ball dropped it

The lack of basic skills and game awareness in northern hemisphere players is truly shocking.

Witness Delon Armitage running parallel to Ben Foden but 25 yards away waiting for the pass as an example.

You're absolutely spot on there Andy. I said the same thing pre-tournament. We're light years behind the big three and I fear a real hiding for one of the six nations sides when/if they come up against them.

They must have been in that Martin Corry Rugby Camp off the adverts, passing tubs of whey protein to each other.

I'ds argue that the Top 14 is catching up slowly, but the Aviva is utter garbage. Then again, this might be because the French teams are now full of Saffas and the army of New Zealand who got about two caps and will dine out on this in the NH for all time.

Quote ="Wildmoose"It's easy to believe that Union has closed the gap in recent years...until you watch some of it. I was channel hopping on Saturday morning, every time there was a stoppage in the Broncos vs Warriors game I'd flick over to ITV & see what was happening...had to do this SIX times before I saw the ball in play...even then the second guy to touch the ball dropped it '" Reading the Daily Mirror this morning in the butty shop whilst waiting for my order and it was highlighted there. The Welsh Captain, Sam Warburton, was awarded the man of the match after a [size=150staggering[/size 20 tackles. Sean O'Loughlin this season (league only) has averaged 38 per match whilst Micky McIlorum who doesn't play the full 80 has averaged 25. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/sport-fro ... -23414022/

Quote ="Wildmoose"It's easy to believe that Union has closed the gap in recent years...until you watch some of it. I was channel hopping on Saturday morning, every time there was a stoppage in the Broncos vs Warriors game I'd flick over to ITV & see what was happening...had to do this SIX times before I saw the ball in play...even then the second guy to touch the ball dropped it '" Reading the Daily Mirror this morning in the butty shop whilst waiting for my order and it was highlighted there. The Welsh Captain, Sam Warburton, was awarded the man of the match after a [size=150staggering[/size 20 tackles. Sean O'Loughlin this season (league only) has averaged 38 per match whilst Micky McIlorum who doesn't play the full 80 has averaged 25. www.mirror.co.uk/sport/sport-fro ... -23414022/

Completely different sports so you can't really make fair comparisons.