HOW FAR WILL ENGLAND GO IN RWC 2015?

I attended an exclusive preview of RWC 2015 in Bath with distinguished guests from print and TV media. The question was asked where England would finish in this year's tournament and only one of the four panel predicted England would win the final. Two others voted for New Zealand and one for Australia. One leading journalist, whose opinion I respect, said England would fall at the QF stage. Another question was asked whether the panel would have selected Sam Burgess - no one said yes...

DO WALES HAVE THE DEPTH?

With sad news that Wales have lost first pick players, Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny, to injury even before the tournament starts, many fans will feel that the competition will be devalued for their absence. It also raises the inevitable issue of strength in depth, where England and New Zealand have always had the perceived edge in sheer playing numbers. And, with only 31 players allowed in the squad, why is it such an issue? Why can't the smaller nations find two world class fly halves, full backs, no.8's, etc? A cynic would argue even England have to rely on imports to strengthen their team at the expense of their junior rugby selection system, but let's leave that for another day.

An excellent BBC blog in 2012 highlighted that, whilst England has over 160,000 registered players of 18 years of age + and France 100,000, Wales has only 22,000 and Scotland a meagre 12,000. When this is reduced down further to professional players, England and France have over 300, whilst Wales has under 150. This, unfortunately, will impact the smaller countries, as the tournament progresses and leading players inevitably get injured. If Wales, Samoa or Scotland make the quarter finals, they don't have the luxury of calling up such quality as Danny Cipriani, Kyle Eastmond, Dylan Hartley or Dave Attwood to replace the wounded.

For it to happen to Wales even before the opening ceremony is cruel, and without Halfpenny's points tally from the boot. will probably now mean Wales will struggle to compete at the highest level, and only the outcome of the England v Australia game will determine who wins the group and avoids the Saffers in the quarters. Hope I am wrong....