WALES must be licking their lips with the prospect of France as their quarter-final opponents because they have had their number for some time – and nor will Warren Gatland be fazed by getting South Africa as their most likely semi-final opposition.
The Welsh will be feeling fine and dandy about being on that side of the knock-out draw, with their prospects of reaching the World Cup final for the first time getting a big boost at just the right time.
They have also got a couple of the stand-out players in the tournament in scrum-half Gareth Davies and full-back Liam Williams. You need your key players to hit form at the right time in tournaments, and it is the quarter-finals where you need to get real lift-off.
Davies has done well, and has caught the eye with his ability to read play and sniff out interceptions. Anyone firing the ball anywhere close to him had better watch out, because he has the anticipation and the pace to run the ball in from almost anywhere on the pitch.
Williams has been impressive in attack and defence, and he played a crucial part in the Welsh fight-back against Fiji because of his ability under the high ball and the way he always manages to make yardage when he counterattacks.
Fiji rose to the occasion against Wales, and for me even though they went out after losses to the Welsh, Australia and Uruguay – when Josh Matavesi couldn’t have hit a barn door – the way they play lit up the tournament.
Denne historien er fra October 13, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 13, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
