I don't think there's a country in the world that punches its weight so well in taking all sports competition so seriously, so effectively. 2 yrs to build, at home, only a fool would underestimate.

Look after them, you're not finished with them.

Same in principle as going into RWC23 - it's all about the group game with Scotland.

When are the actual fixtures scheduled, because where and when you play in those 3 weeks is also not insignificant.

If Ireland lose in a QF (again...) it means we have won R016 and therefore a RWC knockout game!

Street party on their return!

Steepness not altitude I guess, so maybe Mortirolo or Angliru, or even Hardknott in UK.

There's also the Steilhang in Kitzbuhel, which looks the worst to me.

It kind of mimics the Heineken - going from 24 to 16 and then having RO16 with some real mismatches.

I guess it's the implication that knockout matches are always better (viewers/$$) than group games.

I like groups of 5+, more games between developing nations, hence Thala's group of 6 I guess.

I'm genuinely intrigued to see what happens with his ban.

I'm also genuinely curious to know what happened that made him flip into that mode. Shame he has that mode too.

So sad, but also scary that under the facade of 'rugby values' there really does lurk a whole world of real ugliness.

Oh dear. New conspiracy required on SART, bet it's quiet over there.

Finances of a 7 game RWC are already tenuous.

Though I like the R16. Any cup now, Ireland are going to win a knockout match.....

What with 5 group games and the straight to a last 16 or 8.

So a minimum 8 games, maybe 9.

Just to preserve symmetry.

I favour the old groups of 5 setup as it throws up more interesting matchups for non top tier.

Boring from a rugby perspective - lots of same old same old.

Be brilliant from a disciplinary perspective - the Euro groups could be full of fussy TMOs and multi-angle reviews of leaves blowing near a scrum, and the SANZAR groups can do 4 minute reds for gouging etc.

Only tricky in later stages.

We've had 24 hours of madness tbf. Did you see the Racing hooker doing his flying Ryan headbutt?

I reckon Agent Eben sent out a Whatsapp plea to all his rugby buddies last night asking for as many disciplinary distractions as possible this week. Hastoy, ROG, Racing hooker...

You thought that about the Penney one the other night, initially. You need your own TMO, probably a French one, to keep playing the slowmos in your head...

At what point would violence on a sports pitch be a matter for police instead/as well as the governing body.

WR with a tricky path to tread. Obvs will want to underdo this, but sport not above the law. Or is it?

That observation is interesting, and important. Kind of like how Owen Farrell had no actual history of dodgy shoulder tackles on his rap sheet until finally just a few months before RWC23.

Statistics don't always tell the story.

Think you're right. Already deep scepticism about how WR find a way to let him off.

It doesn't matter. His reputation will remain tarnished based on that video. He's in Stuart Hogg territory.

He'll want or need to say something at some point.

Same with Fenton.

Yep, straight red. Something in the water today...