Wales and Ireland have tended to be also-rans in World Cups, but they go into their quarter-final as Europe's form teams
Dan Carter's groin, France's re-enactment of 1789, England's continued invocation of the amateur era, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu's obsession with Twitter and a row over mouthguards. The final round of the group stage did not lack headline-making incidents.
And Tonga, Wales and Ireland played some outstanding rugby, the latter subduing and then finishing off Italy, who when the outcome was decided seemed intent on taking a few opponents home with them - to ensure that the final will be a north-south affair for the sixth time in seven tournaments. And a mention for Russia, who became the first side since Wales in 1987 to score three tries against Australia in the World Cup.
All four Tri-Nations sides - the competition will need to be renamed - and four Six Nations teams remain, some in better health than others. Wales and Ireland have tended to be also-rans in World Cups, one semi-final appearance between them, but they go into the last eight as Europe's form teams and in one sense it is unfortunate that they are playing each other rather than one taking on England and the other France.
Ireland arrived in New Zealand having lost all four of their August warm-up matches. They came a distant second to France at the Aviva Stadium and did not get much closer to England the following week. They looked booked for a tussle with Italy for second place in their group.
Wales lost to England at Twickenham and beat them in Cardiff the following week, thanks in part to England spurning seven opportunities to kick penalties. They also lost senior players to injuries - the captain, Matthew Rees, and Gavin Henson were ruled out of the World Cup - while Stephen Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones were not expected to be fit for the opener against South Africa.
Wales have had to resort to younger players and they have found salvation by accident. For years, their coach, Warren Gatland, was torn between Stephen Jones and James Hook, as if he wanted an amalgam of the two. He seems to have found it in Rhys Priestland.
Gatland mused at the end of July that he could see his back division performing at its optimum with Priestland at outside-half and Hook at full-back, but it was as if he were trying to convince himself. Chance arrived at Twickenham when, with Hook already ruled out, Stephen Jones strained a calf muscle in the warm-up and Priestland was moved to 10 from full-back.
He proved more of a threat with the ball in hand then Jones and a more willing distributor than Hook. Wales have long debated Hook's best position: he has played 10, his favoured slot, 12, 13 and full-back. The further out he plays, the more he tends to look to make something happen and there have been times when he has played at outside-half and dallied, looking to see if anything was on for him.
It was a consequence of being shifted around. Hook is a natural 10, but has been messed about: at least he should get a run in the position with Perpignan. With Priestland at stand-off, Jamie Roberts has returned to the form that made him the man of the series when the Lions toured South Africa in 2009.
He is receiving early ball, and while there is a danger of Wales over-exploiting him on the crash, his ability to stand up in the tackle allows Wales not only to get over the gain line but also to get the ball moving again quickly. With a back row to complement their back line and fitness levels, which stand out this tournament, Wales have verve and stamina to go with their balance.
Ireland have turned it around largely through their experienced players. The likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Stephen Ferris have all stood out, but the impact made by Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and Mike Ross is also a factor.
If Wales have invested in youth, Ireland have placed faith in experience. At the knockout stage of a World Cup, it is the latter that customarily counts, but Saturday's quarter-final will also be a clash of cultures. Ireland ground down Australia and Italy while Wales looked to move South Africa around, finishing the group with a ruthlessly efficient display against Fiji.
They both look in a better place than England and France, but the picture now may have a different focus come the semi-final stage. England are winning close games with a try rather than the boot of Jonny Wilkinson but, like 2007, bloody-mindedness is getting them through.
Scotland brimmed with desire against England but lacked a touch of class to unpick an obdurate defence. England had players on the bench who could make a difference, such as Toby Flood, and they are a side that does not panic when they stand at the brink.
Unloved and unlovely, they have what it takes to win tight matches. France know that only too well after losing the 2003 and 2007 semi-finals to the men in white, and they seem determined to return home early after spending most of the tournament arguing among themselves.
England would appear to have a bye to the last four, but France are like the weather here. Dark clouds and fierce winds one day can be replaced by bright sunshine and the mildest of breezes the next. For a team with their wealth of talent, they have been shocking but how they perform one week is no guide to how they will go the next.
They tend to produce one big performance during a World Cup and then go flat. If they fail to on Saturday, they will be saying au revoir and the best of the Celts will stand between England and an unprecedented third successive final.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/oct/03/rugby-world-cup-wales-ireland
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