The World Cup is great, yes even this one with those Vuvuzuela's and big European teams faltering but the World Cup is all about the fans, and the colour and excitement of the fans is definitely on show at this WC. MSN have done a great job putting some photos together from the games.

Amazing ad by Nike for the World Cup, they are running this in sections on tv.

Unlike Sexton who not only tackles well but distributes & runs great lines to unleash dangerous strike runners.

Oh sweet sweet joy to behold, proving yet again that ROG isn't international class if he can't tackle

Sexton starting!!

Well lets not get ahead of ourselves.

From RTÉ about props.
"The lack of depth in the position was exposed at Croke Park yesterday when John Hayes was forced to play the entire match despite having just served a five-week suspension."

It was not a lack of depth but a lack of faith from the coach in his options or the conservative nature of the coach in not using his bench.
Kidney made two changes on Sunday, one injury forced, the other Munster's Leamy on for Ulster's Ferris. This harkens back to the bad old days of O'Sullivan in persisting in playing a 16 man version of rugby in the 22 man modern international game, when he would only haul O'Kelly off the pitch for O'Callaghan.

It would seem that little has changed in the Irish rugby setup.
Out goes a coach who was vilified for being too conservative and loyal to certain players. In comes a very successful provincial coach, who has now being very successful with the international side but is Kidney any less conservative in selecting his Irish team?

Last week, Leinster obliterated Munster, then this week they failed build on that performance by doing the simple thing. Win at home.

Last Friday, Leinster were at home in the Heineken Cup against a very good London Irish side. But Irish didn't come to win, so why Leinster didn't feel like stepping up and winning was gut wrenching for a fan. I thought Leinster have turned a corner in the last 18 months, certainly the last 12 months. A hard edge added by Elsom but built upon by the rest of the team that was built upon with the signing of Hines & the development of McLaughlin. But they have not gotten away from being sublime one week and then not showing up the next week.

Last Saturday evening I was on the supporters terrace at the RDS (Royal Dublin Society show ground) for the Magners League match between Leinster and Munster.

The anticipation before the game was palpable, Munster were expected to be the hungrier side as we'd won the last game (Allez les Bleus). Chatting to some seasoned fans of Leinster, they also felt the score would be tight and were worried that Munster would edge it. The larger discussion point was why Kearney was on the bench, with the belief that it was Horgan not Nacewa who had to impress to save his jersey next week against Irish.

The Lions management have taken bold & hopefully decisive decisions in their squad to save the Test series ahead of the Second Test against South Africa.

Five changes have been made to the side, most were expected, but it hasn't changed the fact that opinions are varied on whether they were the right decisions.
The areas that changes were expected were front row & 11 with full back likely injured as well. Many also called for changes at lock, open side & out half.

The die has been cast, McGeechan has named his match squad for the first test against South Africa. But can we expect from this side.

15)Byrne 14)Bowe 13)O'Driscoll 12)Roberts 11)Kearney 10)O'Gara 9)Phillips
1)Sheridan 2)Mears 3)Jenkins 4)O'Connell 5)A.W. Jones 6)Wallace 7)Williams 8)Heaslip

16)Rees 17)Vickery 18)Croft 19)Hines 20)Ellis 21)Jones 22)Fitzgerald

I have selected Kearney & O'Gara because I believe the Lions will play territory over a pure running game that would favour S. Jones. Also O'Gara has being very reliable goal kicker on tour. In the pack, I have decided that the scrum is important and picked Jenkins at tight with Sheridan at loose, hit the Boks where it matters shatter their manhood up front. In the backrow, I feel we have to compete on the breakdown and picking both our opensides gives us the best chance of retaining first phase position and multi phase, which the Lions have suffered on tour. With the breakdown & the scrum, you can concede a little in the lineout, whilst peppering the inexperienced full back with kicks all day long.