CK Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Not particularly willingly, IIRC - weren't they part of an IRB scheme which was later abandoned? Like the 'Pacific Islanders' XV. Only 5 visits since 1990s - 2 since 2006: Italy - visited Fiji and Samoa in 2000 Ireland - visited Tonga and Samoa in 2003 Italy - visited Fiji in 2006 Scotland - visited Fiji and Samoa in 2012 Italy - visited Fiji and Samoa in 2014 The IRB touring calendar has been drawn up until WC 2019, I think the only other team due to visit the Pacific Isles are Wales in 2017, during the Lions tour. At the moment we're getting Wales/France/England/Ireland being sent to the SANZAR countries for 3 test series and losing every test (apart from England drawing one against SA a few years ago). I'd like to see the Rugby Championship expanded to 6 and have 2 of Fiji/Samoa/Tonga/Japan/USA/Canada added on a 3 year rotation, and Uruguay could be added to the PNC and compete against the 4 not in the Rugby Championship. Georgia and Romania should be getting more tests against the 6N teams in the Autumn or as a starter to the Summer tours. On a side note, I see the IRB are suggesting the 2023 World Cup may be expanded to 24 teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Make senses given 1 team sits-out each matchday in the groups just now due to the odd numbers. Likes of Spain, Portugal, Russia, Chile could get on OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky88 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Italy weren't even really first. More just right place at right time. There was a time it was thought Romania would be the ones to join.if Germany or Spain had been unbeaten in the nations cup for the last 3 years, they'd be fast tracked straight into the 6 nations, noone would care about the temporary end of the fucking Calcutta or Garibaldi cups. Because its Georgia, in an inconvenient location and a small TV market, there's not the willingness there to make it happn. Aside from anything else, an away day in tblisi doesn't have the same ring to it. Idont know too much about the club game but I'd assume an extra 6/7 nations weekend would be rather inconvenient for them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CK Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 if Germany or Spain had been unbeaten in the nations cup for the last 3 years, they'd be fast tracked straight into the 6 nations, noone would care about the temporary end of the fucking Calcutta or Garibaldi cups. Because its Georgia, in an inconvenient location and a small TV market, there's not the willingness there to make it happn. Aside from anything else, an away day in tblisi doesn't have the same ring to it. Idont know too much about the club game but I'd assume an extra 6/7 nations weekend would be rather inconvenient for them? The weekend before the 6 Nations starts (the last weekend in January) is usually free but not this season due to the World Cup. Other than that there are no free weekends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestly united Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I think at the moment there are 2 free weekends during the 6 nations, fixtures are play 2 weekends, one off, play one, one off, then play 2. Usually the majority of players dont go back to their clubs on the weeks off, and most years there are league fixtures during the 6 nations weekends anyway. So realalistically you could expand to 7 or 8 teams over the same time period, it would just mean that there would be no weekends off and you play either 6 weeks with one off (ie 3 weeks, 1 off, 3 weeks) or 7 weeks on the trot and it would have no impact on the club game. The only reason there are no club games now during the world cup is that they no they would not get the attendances, not lack of players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 The impact of internationals on clubs and vice versa is the last consideration from either party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingscot Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Not particularly willingly, IIRC - weren't they part of an IRB scheme which was later abandoned? Like the 'Pacific Islanders' XV. Only 5 visits since 1990s - 2 since 2006: Italy - visited Fiji and Samoa in 2000 Ireland - visited Tonga and Samoa in 2003 Italy - visited Fiji in 2006 Scotland - visited Fiji and Samoa in 2012 Italy - visited Fiji and Samoa in 2014 Wasn't aware it was part of IRB scheme. Certainly not aware that they didn't go willingly. Scotland are off to Japan and New Zealand next year. To be honest I just don't see the appetite in adding Eastern European nations all round from a commercial point of view and impact on tournament schedule and formats. Clubs in England would resist additional games for their players and additional time away. Travel to Paris, Dublin, Rome is easy. There isn't even a direct flight from London to Tblisi! 8 hours travelling to Tblisi or a weekend in Rome/Paris... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Well it wouldn't have to be one or the other if you were adding teams to the competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banana Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Scotland as high as 1/8. I'm not sure where this line is coming from, this has turned into a serious test against a Japan who will be super fired up as a win here would you'd imagine pretty much get them through. They look as fit as any side in the competition, so I doubt this 4 day gap will be as big a deal as many are making out. Indeed, Jones has said that Scotland are a first half scoring team but fade, which will suit them right down to the ground. Predictions? I'm going for a tight win either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophe Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 We'll win this, but not easily. By ten or less i'll go for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayrunitedfw Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Sadly missing this due to work, We will win this if we play the same way we did against France where we were unluckyto lose. My only fear is our discipline- cant afford to be giving away soft penaltys. In Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Mark Bennett our attacking options are very exciting. Scotland to win 7+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Wee Villa Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Doesn't matter too much how many we win by so long as we score four tries or more for the bonus point. Or would we settle for any old win just to be on the safe side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingscot Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Doesn't matter too much how many we win by so long as we score four tries or more for the bonus point. Or would we settle for any old win just to be on the safe side? Any old win will do, but this is a really winnable game for Scotland. At the Pacific Nations Cup. Japan lost to USA, Tonga and Fiji and only had a single win against Canada....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swarley Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 C'mon Scotland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lichtie23 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I think we will batter them today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swarley Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I think we will batter them today Yeah one game wonders, Scotland by +15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Oof... that Japanese anthem's an absolute belter. Edit: let's start playing backing music when Scotland play football. At least we can sing in time that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuddieInDundee Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Oof... that Japanese anthem's an absolute belter. Edit: let's start playing backing music when Scotland play football. At least we can sing in time that way. Really? Thought it was dreadful. Decent start so far, hoping Hogg has a decent kicking day today, otherwise we could be spending a long time on the backfoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul-r-cfc Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Far from a rugby fan but will give this a go. Quite a novelty seeing Scotland in a world cup and a lot of attention on this one of course, owing to the Japan win. Yaaay, we did a kick thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swarley Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Well that's the Granny avoided. Bonus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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