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How England fans reacted to France 2023 pool draw
By Josh Raisey
The England draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup has pleased the majority of their fans online after Eddie Jones’ side were grouped with Argentina and Japan in Pool D. With either the United States or Canada, and Samoa or Tonga likely to fill the final two vacant spots in the pool, there are undoubted challenges in this group. But, on balance, it's no surprise that England fans are rather buoyant.
Based on current world rankings, England are ranked second in the world and the highest-ranked team they will face in the opening World Cup round is Argentina, who are seeded eighth. When comparing Pool A, which sees third-ranked New Zealand face France in fourth, or Pool B, which contains South Africa (first), Ireland (fifth) and Scotland (seventh), the draw looks all the more favourable to those from England.
On top of that, the highest-ranked team England could possibly face in the quarter-finals (should they progress) is Australia (sixth) from Pool C. In contrast, there is a likely showdown between the reigning champions South Africa and one of France or the All Blacks in one of the other quarter-finals.
Even Jones was seen to crack a smile when working out who England will come up against in France, although that could well be because he is now set to face his former side Japan, whom he coached at the 2015 RWC.
Pool D may not be too dissimilar from England’s grouping in 2019, only with Japan replacing France, which proved favourable for Owen Farrell’s side. But given their pool with Wales and Australia in 2015, where England failed to make the quarter-finals, 2023’s group is probably the best of the three and a reward for England’s performance in 2019.
Many fans are still wary of the threat Argentina and Japan pose. The Pumas are fresh from their first-ever win over the All Blacks in November, while Japan showed in 2019 that they are another nation on the rise. But such is the growing depth of talent in the rugby world currently that there are no longer any easy pools.
Eddie Jones full evil genius grin ? loved it.
— Josh Turner (@Josh_turner13) December 14, 2020
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Latest Comments
They won’t be rested Ed. Gathie was forced to ditch that practice, by WR, LNR, or whoever, IDK.
It’s very simple and you obviously know this, they do what’s best for the athlete. Galthie is just doing his part in making sure they don’t break, you know, like a team effort.
Just as LNRs teams are.
Bottom lines? The players don’t get a lot of rest as their season is so long, yes, but Galthie can select any player he wants in an International window. You just have to ask yourself does Galthie want to select that player or ensure they are rested? You just need to stop being obtuse, and some French white knight guy, what you say is simply untrue.
Why not just word it properly?
Go to commentsI can see where you are coming from.
The ANZAC myth has been used by sports teams for years. Some to a greater degree e.g. the old Rugby League ANZAC test, some other sports will make passing reference in the advertising or commentary etc.
I don’t think the ANZACs (looking down from heaven) see themselves as sacred cows. I think they would rather see a game of rugby in their honour. What better time to hold a Bledisloe cup match?
ANZAC day is about both remembering the ANZAC’s sacrifice, and their descendants celebrating the freedom we have because of that sacrifice. If a Bledisloe ANZAC test was done in a tasteful way. I see no issue with it.
I don’t think rugby league deserved to host an ANZAC test as rugby league organisations encouraged their players not to go to WWI (Australia didn’t conscript for WWI).
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