I get there’s an Ireland + quarter finals meme, but I honestly believe that most of those are easily explained, and this year feels different. Obviously, once we hit the quarters there are any number of teams who can all beat each other - especially on that side of the draw - so not predicting anything, but they really do look the real deal imo.

Fwiw, Greg Aldritt was on Le French Rugby Podcast after the 6N talking about their fitness prep saying that they front loaded serious work pre-/early-tournament and then lowered the intensity later on, which makes sense when you look at their performances throughout. I’m expecting them to maybe do something similar come WC, so also expecting NZ to take the opener.

Also still think anyone on the easy side of the draw who brings their a game has a good chance. Especially if the teams on the other side of the draw take lumps out of each other.

And yeah. Scotland will probably look better than any other team that’s gone out in the group stages, either before or since. Just can’t see them getting the edge on either IRE or SA.