World Cup 2023

[francoisfou]

Ok, so it's a bit early to open a thread on next year's World Cup in France, but I've just read that France's warm-up matches have been announced, with two matches against Scotland! - the 5th and 12th August, presumably home and away. Hopefully, Murrayfield will be bursting at the seams for the game!
France have also got Fiji on the 19th and Australia on the 26th.
The opening match of the tournament - France v NZ will be on Friday 8th September at 9 o'clock at the Stade de France.

[no sleep]

France v the All Blacks has to be the best opening match ever, and allez les bleus!

Unfortunately, I can't see les autres bleus contributing much at all. But those warm-up matches will be interesting.

[Cameo]

We might not contribute much but this world cup could be the best yet. At least five teams with a realistic shot even though Ireland and France look to be out in front at the moment

[Big D]

It shows how stupid the seeding system is. We are 12 months out from the world cup and 2 of the current top 4 in the world will not make the semis.

[Cameo]

It shows how stupid the seeding system is. We are 12 months out from the world cup and 2 of the current top 4 in the world will not make the semis.

Yeah, it's a bizarre system isn't it. Surely a draw 6 months out would give everyone plenty of time to book hotels / training facilities etc. (which are presumably lined up anyway). After all, some teams are only just confirming their spot.

It would also help build excitement. As it is, people only start noticing now that the draw has already been decided.

[Puja]

It shows how stupid the seeding system is. We are 12 months out from the world cup and 2 of the current top 4 in the world will not make the semis.

Well, we English and the Welsh think it's a brilliant system and we love it. You guys enjoy your half of the draw!

PujA

[Big D]

It shows how stupid the seeding system is. We are 12 months out from the world cup and 2 of the current top 4 in the world will not make the semis.

Well, we English and the Welsh think it's a brilliant system and we love it. You guys enjoy your half of the draw!

PujA

I would be worried you guys will be undercooked to be honest. Japan and Argentina will be straightforward and then you have a full month before Oz/Wales (or Fiji). Actually a few sides might be undercooked going into the QFs.

Posters of this parish will enjoy the QFs as neutrals.

[Puja]

It shows how stupid the seeding system is. We are 12 months out from the world cup and 2 of the current top 4 in the world will not make the semis.

Well, we English and the Welsh think it's a brilliant system and we love it. You guys enjoy your half of the draw!

PujA

I would be worried you guys will be undercooked to be honest. Japan and Argentina will be straightforward and then you have a full month before Oz/Wales (or Fiji). Actually a few sides might be undercooked going into the QFs.

Posters of this parish will enjoy the QFs as neutrals.

We do also have Samoa who will be our final pool match - a decent side for a warm-up match, while still (hopefully) being low enough quality not to be a realistic threat. It'll be the semi-final that'll be a nasty surprise for us/Wales/Australia as we abruptly get obliterated by France.

Puja