badgerx16

FYI, there were regional qualifying tournaments, which is how Ireland, Scotland, Greece, the Cook Islands, etc, get to play, but higher ranking teams such as Serbia don't, because they failed to get through the elimination rounds. Remember this is the 2021 RLWC, so qualifying started in 2018. The issue with all this sort of tournament is how do the lesser teams develop if not, at some point, being exposed to the big guns. Most of the Cook Islands players play in NZ, as they all have dual nationality due to the islands being administratively part of NZ. A lot of the Greek players are Australians of Greek descent who play in the NRL, similarly with the Lebanese. Most of the Scottish team are from Yorkshire or Lancashire, and either play Super League or Chaipnship rugby. ( Also, RL was illegal in Greece until about 6 months ago ). There are more nations, globally, that play Rugby Union to a high standard, or cricket - for instance the Netherlands are at the T20WC. As for the favourites, NZ are ranked #1, England are #2, Tonga are #3, and Oz are #4 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Men's_Rugby_League_World_Cup_qualifying

( From being a Horse Racing trainer ). Not many top footballers have such a successful second career in a completely different sporting arena. There must be quite a few on here whose first Saints match involved Mick, and probably many more who have lost money backing one of his horses. Well played sir, and enjoy the rest.

The Russian Defence Ministry has now claimed that the Royal Navy blew up Nordstream.

Don't hold your breath.

First half complete shambles - couldn't string 2 passes together, out muscled in midfield, played into trouble every time we tried to pass it out from the back. Second half more competitive - Che had 2 clear chances but passed both to their GK.

If only we had a half decent striker.

Do we even do basic tactical training ? And as for passing it out from the back...................

It amuses me when the BBC reports that "Russia has accused Ukraine", as if it might have been an unprovoked attack, and there may be doubt as to the perpetrators. ( I suppose it could be a false flag operation, but probably not ). It should hardly come as a surprise to the Russians, given all the things that Ukraine is 'accusing' them of.

Other than the Mirror and the Morning Star, most of them are sycophantically flag waving and singing Rule Brittania whilst the Ship of State submerges. The only other significant outlet is the Star, which just pokes fun at everybody. Of the major broadcast media, SKY goes where it's ownership demands, the BBC is hamstrung by paranoia over "impartiality", and who watches much of ITN anyway ?

Feelgood

Roger

Bloodhound

Wyman's son married Mandy Smith's mother.

I'm not sure that this is how LD envisaged this thread progressing.

Regardless of the in/out discussion, where is the evidence that the UK is substantively and demonstrably better off after Brexit ? The Government is effectively the one that took over directly after the referendum, so has had 6 years, notwithstanding COVID, to build on and deliver the promises that Leave.EU made. Has the NHS yet been delivered of the mythical £350m per week ? How is the "oven ready" trade agreement doing ? Where is the trade deal with the US ? ( Just 3 of the minor issues - obviously the major points of no longer having the EU stars on car number plates, and not having the European Union mentioned on UK passports have been achieved ).

Gastropod

Which year ?

Well, he should know.

Loadsamoney

I think he came back. Not surprising, nowhere with the choice would tolerate him indefinitely.

Reversing Brexit is not simply a case of reversing a switch. The rules on new members are prohibitive to our attempting to regain our previous rebates, vetoes, and concessions, and as a result of the friction caused by Brexit the EU27 are not particularly well disposed to us in any case. You might as well suggest refloating the Titanic, ( and I think the analogy is actually quite appropriate ).

There is a reason why you are probably the most disliked poster on the forum.

GM's default position on every topic.

There are claims that the document Braverman 'accidentally' mishandled via email related to Cyber Security.

Can you imagine a country populated entirely by Farages, GMs, Mosins, and Duckhunters ?