Albert Tatlock

Obviously JT is trying to get into Tom Jones' good books ready for a duet invite in Australia next year. Big Bill Broonzy was a great early influence of Jones The Voice. Also ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akEC4UGX-8g Consider it a badge of honour.

Know exactly how you felt Ioan http://www.independent.co.uk/news/hollywood-actor-ioan-gruffudd-loses-his-mind-and-clothes-as-wales-beat-england-in-rugby-world-cup-a6669126.html Australia cruised to a routine win over Uruguay, though they did themselves credit. The Aussies will cut England to shreds unless England keep it tight and boring, and then the hosts would be out. Australia could equally well do the same to Wales, but if they have already beaten England then we would still get through bar a shoke result against Fiji on Thursday. I'm taking my old boots. Every remaining able bodied W

An epic day of tense anticipation. The passage of time was helped by an enforced morning in work then Canada being unlucky to loose to an Italy still struggling without Paressi. Then a nervous South Africa latched on to a breakaway try that calmed them and then allowed them to surge away looking if not at their barnstorming best then at least back in the top tier. Finally, In the words of a famous headline- We win! It was not a match for the rugby purist or casual fan, but gripping. Wales had no right to win, but England let a position of pressurised dominance slip through silly penalty errors

Team Ball Player Thing - full skit and song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwraWS6AHdg Kiwi charity single with lyrics apparently suggested by kids. With Peter Jackson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahm7j4lLl5U Sir Tom lends a hand

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2015/09/moments_from_wilcos_show_in_an.html This is about the best of the bunch

Indeed, the second tier nations always get a rough deal with scheduling. The tournament would otherwise be unfeasibly long and there is no easy answer. The only option for them is to get high enough up in the world rankings to get seeded, but in itself that is a bit of a closed shop since they don't get to play the tier 1 nations outside world cups often enough for that to be easy.

France picked up their second win in the evening to leave them a clash with Ireland away from topping the table. The Irish might have something to say about that as France stuttered against a determined Romania. Similarly, Fiji had the best of a second half against Australia but the Aussies did enough, although not enough to get a bonus point. The significance of that is yet to be determined. Wales might struggle against Fiji themselves next week. However, despite the All Blacks facing Namibia tonight in what is likely to be the greatest mis-match of the tournament, today is all about the

Half tIme: Scotland 12 Japan 7. Scotland have edged ahead with penalties but Japan look the more incisive, are moving the ball nicely, and have scored the only try. Still all to play for. EDIT: Thought I had added a subsequent post but obviously not saved it somehow. Scotland kept steady, unlike SA not conceding penalties and pouncing on the growing number of Japanese mistakes. From the point when Japan's No. 8 went off they were a spent force. Definitely faded in final quarter. They can still qualify via wins over USA and Samoa.

From the 'fan zone' (giant TVs outside the main ground) in Cardiff for those who want to be part of the atmosphere but don't have a ticket. The Millenium Stadium is right in the centre of the city. https://mobile.twitter.com/simonrug/status/645293912706392064

Enjoyed it. Lots of nice ideas and a few jokes. Also a reminder of old school chum David Baker - nickname Davros.

Not looking good for the boys in red as our injury nightmare continues with more problems after the Uruguay win, plus their tactical approach was particularly brainless and execution still way below par in what should have been an 80 point at elast margin. It is going to take a backs against the wall performance of Rorke's Drift proportions to avoid a defeat against England on Saturday. Meanwhile, USA lost to Samoa - my American brother in law (from St Louis) living in Cardiff is thinking about going to see their last match against Japan - who I am still buzzing over from Saturday. In the even

Japan had a penalty to go for the draw at the death, but they went for the win! http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/19/south-africa-japan-rugby-world-cup-2015-match-report http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11876935/South-Africa-32-Japan-34-match-report-Outstanding-Japan-pull-off-the-greatest-upset-in-World-Cup-history.html Official highlights:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ghArmsJjQM Jumping around the room screaming at the TV time ...

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! Japan take down the mighty Boks in their first ever world cup match win in over 25 years of trying. Fantastic scenes at the end. Try and catch the second half on youtube. As you can imagine Brits in the crowd took to the underdogs. Japan played smart precise rugby, retained possession brilliantly, and tackled their hearts out. SA muscled over for a couple of tries but were sloppy in conceding penalties that kept Japan within touch and kept them hopeful. The final 5 minutes were extraordinary. Earlier, another upset of a smaller scale when Georgia beat Tonga.

A mis-firing England overcome a determined but tiring and less well drilled Fiji, who squandered penalty points at important times. Was looking good for Wales as time ticked away without England scoring the fourth try for a bonus point, but they got it with the last play of the match. A sign of a good team to pull through when it counts. Not sure how many of tomorrows matches I'll get to watch live. France v Italy is the most evenly matched game for the recognised nations. Georgia v Tonga could be a nice one with little at stake in practise except pride for two evenly matched teams. On Sunda

Better than the usual arse and elbows description. Ta, but it's really all down to time zones.

Dedicated, conscientious, and with a talent for logistics. Bbop (The seventh Wilco)

New Zealand are favourites as almost always. Home advantage for England is a big boost. Australia are looking good. South Africa have been out of sorts for a year or so but the tri-nations are always in the mix. France can beat anyone on their day and have downed New Zealand twice in the past and only lost by a point in the last tournament after a virtual player mutiny against their coach. They need at least 3 good games in a row though. Ireland and Wales have an outside chance. France and Ireland benefit from being in the easier half of the draw. Only 2 from England, Australia, Wales get out

For those playing along at home, the mandatory wallchart. http://babcsf.org/images/events/2015Rugby/RWC%20Results%20Poster.pdf Also, Cardiff Castle gets a mini-makeover.

The daily commute. Actually that's a lie. Today I saw really some Fijians and and English Morris group in a dance off being filmed for a TV piece for tonight's world cup match. Also, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/10468029/Doctor-Who-50-things-you-didnt-know.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-prj-chicago-literary-events-gillian-flynn-20150917-story.html

You're welcome. I'll try to flag up some good matches to try and catch - usually someone will put full length versions of the best games up on YouTube. Also, there's usually a group game or two between the no hopers playing for pride that turns into a classic. You look like you should be supporting Ireland. Sort of my second team from time to time. Better strength in depth than for many years, a wiley coach, and in the easier half of the draw. Just missing B.O.D. these days for some old school magic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTdpVZAuA2U Not to mention R.O.G. too, star of one of my f