RWC Pool A: This could go anywhere

The World Cup is just around the corner, which means it's time to review the Pools. First up we've got Pool A, containing two age-old 6 Nations rivals, the home nation, and one of the most physical teams in the tournament. With recent results, this pool looks closer than ever between the main four. We could see some complicated pool stage mathematics being pulled out to figure out who qualifies.

Japan made history four years ago, now they are the host nation, can they go further, and reach the quarter finals?

Quick Tap: Wales are Top of the Pile

The world ranking system barely makes sense, no one really likes it, and ultimately it doesn't matter. And yet, right now, the Welsh public don't care. They don't care that it came by avoiding New Zealand for nearly two years, they don't care it came by squeaking home against England (although beating the old rival to go top does bring an extra level of satisfaction), and they really don't care that the Kiwi media are insulting them and calling their place at the top "laughable".

The fact of the matter is, this is yet another moment to add to the long list of accolades achieved by Gatland in his decade long tenure as Welsh coach. Drop all the question's over "Do Wales deserve to be number 1", and the critique of the system, and appreciate the work Gatland has put into to Welsh rugby.

North scored the try which put Wales top of the world, meanwhile, Ken Owens turns into the Messiah.

Offside Opinion: All Blacks won't make the Semi's

Time for another knee-jerk reaction, I guess, following on from the last Offside Opinion, where I stated Wales would be capable of beating the All Blacks (that aged well didn't it...), now I propose that the events in Cardiff 2007 will repeat themselves and the Kiwi's won't make it past the Quarter Finals of the World Cup.

The All Black's air of invulnerability is well and truly gone by now, it's probably the worst build-up to a World
Cup for New Zealand ever.