FARRELL IN FOR FORD, JOSEPH INJURED

Rumours are circulating that George Ford will be dropped for Saturday's game with Wales, to be replaced by Owen Farrell. Also that JJ is injured so Brad Barritt will move to 13 and Slammin Sam will make his debit at 12. Stuart Lancaster has made no secret that he sees OF as his first pick 10, despite that the evidence that Ford is a better player, but due to indifferent performances from GF against France and Fiji, this has given SL the opportunity to bring Owen Farrell back in at fly half. This will mean less creativity and flair in this key position, with OF just obeying the coach's instructions, and making England easier to defend against. Sam Burgess against Jamie Roberts should be a brutal contest, and they may well nullify each other, leaving little ball in space out wide for talented back threes on both teams to exploit (North, Williams, Watson, Brown, etc). Assuming Farrell doesn't have a mare at the weekend, I expect him to be first pick England 10 from now on...

ROVING REPORT: NZ v ARGENTINA

Roving OATH reporter: Peter "The Ref" Sones

For all their efforts, Argentina was robust but predictable in attack and organised but ultimately undone in defence. Streetwise Kiwis (some were uttering the “C” word – for cheating) had enough to stop the Pumas, although it wasn’t until the final 10 minutes that the outcome was certain. Aaron Smith was man of the match, but some of the other All Blacks need to look at themselves in the mirror and raise their game if the 2015 AB’s are going to come close to being the first team to defend the RWC. 

JAPAN JOY: REVIEW 18TH - 21ST SEPTEMBER

Wow what a weekend of RWC 2015....England securing a much needed bonus point with their fourth try in the 82nd minute, Japan scoring the winning try, again in stoppage time against SA, Wales crushing Uruguay as expected but suffering more injuries and NZ doing enough to beat an impressive Argentinian outfit, but having the legend that is Richie McCaw, yellow carded, for what is only the third time in his international career.

First to England v Fiji on Friday night, where the hosts avoided the proverbial banana skin by beating Fiji reasonably comfortably, scoring four tries in the process, but being beaten up in the front five and breakdown area later in the game, when the pressure was on. Fiji will definitely have a say in the outcome of the Group of Death, whether they can beat an injury hit Wales remains to be seen, but you have to applaud their manic desire to keep the ball alive at every opportunity (they must be a nightmare to coach).

Next Super Saturday, where Georgia surprisingly overcame Tonga, in the most physical contest so far in RWC 2015, and celebrated down at Kingsholm like they had won the group. This achievement was only superceded by the magnificent Japanese, whose last minute victory over the South Africans, was definitely the biggest shock rugby result ever (Fiji Wales eight years ago was great, but nothing like this). Pictures beamed around the world of crying Japanese supporters will hopefully motivate those thinking of trying the game to take that next step.

This was no fluke, as, whilst South Africa played poorly, they still scored four tries and should have won the game, but Japan's never say die spirit, and accuracy and intensity under pressure in the closing stages was formidable. Whether Japan can now build on this foundation and qualify for the knockout stages, to possibly play England or Australia, remains to be seen. Scotland and Samoa lie in wait and will be better prepared than SA. There was another game, where predictably Ireland crushed Canadia (sic) by 50+ points, with Sexton running the show (let's hope they can keep him fit). According to my roving reporter, Big John, the poor FGW train service home from Cardiff was the most dramatic part of the game.

Finally Sunday, where the highlight was a very strong NZ team overcoming a creative but inaccurate Argentinian outfit, who have improved greatly as a result of being allowed into the Championship. Every other team in the competition must have been shaking their head, when NZ emptied their bench and Nonu was replaced by Sonny Bill Williams. Such strength in depth (like England's) will play an important role in any team's progress come the latter stages and inevitable injuries knock out key players.

So only three days in, and already rugby fans have big smiles on their faces...and with Costa's behaviour on the football pitch over the weekend, hopefully rugby made its mark and attracted some new recruits into its community.

IS NEMANI NADOLO THE NEXT LOMU?

Nemani Nadolo will start on the wing tomorrow night for Fiji against the mighty England in RWC 2015 opener. He is a giant of a man, standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing nearly 20 stone, but also plays on the wing and kicks goals - only in Fiji! Despite coming from a rugby family - his cousins include Lote Tuqiri and Tevita Kuridrani, he had an indifferent start to his career in Australia, being rejected by Waratahs and Reds. He then moved to play rugby in France, England (where he played a few games for Exeter) and Japan, before being signed by Crusaders in New Zealand.

He was the star try scorer in their team (12 in all) that made the 2014 Super Rugby Final losing narrowly to the Waratahs in Sydney. Not sure who in the England team who will mark this chap but, whether it is May or Watson, they will need courage and technique to stop the wrecking ball from getting over the gain line. And to think that even though Nemani was injured in the summer, Fiji won the Pacific Nations Cup in the summer without him and moved up to 9th in the world rankings. Game on...

WILL HE FINN(ISH) OFF SAMOA

Finn Russell is the most exciting fly half that Scottish rugby has seen since Gregor Townsend, and his form will be crucial in Scotland overcoming USA and Japan before meeting the mighty Samoans on 10th October to decide who qualifies alongside South Africa in Pool B. A quarter final at Twickers against Wales or Australia (or possibly England) awaits :)
Actually I only concocted this post so I could feature a picture of the handsome Scot alongside his girlfriend, Mhairi, the newly crowned Miss Scottyland.

Mhairi is the one on the right

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....