we're also in the DNWC final (DNWC = Diplomacy Nations World Cup)

Really? They beat Australia? Don't think it's likely to matter awfully much except decide which side of the QF draw they get, but still, good job Ireland.

Well thats still an important thing

Yes they might get Wales rather than New Zealand!

Australia were missing Pocock and Moore. But good win for the Irish.

And hey USA did actually win a game!

Always good to watch one of the Home Nations come out on top over the southerners! The best game I've seen so far this tournament :)

Gosh, it really makes you wonder if they teach kids geography these days.

Ireland is not a Home Nation.

Of course Ireland is a Home Nation

*Of course Ireland was a Home Nation.

The ruby home nations are England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It is not a matter of political or historic debate, it is a simple fact.

When the Home Nations Championship began in 1883, Ireland was a home nation because it was still a subjugated part of the United Kingdom. I think a lot of people in Ireland would disagree with that name being used now.

Whilst the term 'can' still be seen in use to refer to Ireland, it's a bit old-fashioned and dated, not to mention slightly unionist.

I have no great wish to derail a perfectly good thread about rugby by going through the tedious process of explaining why once again you are wrong. The Republic of Ireland does not compete at the Rugby World Cup. The Island of Ireland does. The term "Home Nation" is very much in common use, is not remotely dated, and if the Irish have largely managed to keep politics out of rugby I think the least we can do is follow their excellent example and limit our discussion to the game.

I read guardian and telegraph daily, and they always call Ireland a home nation in Rugby, anyway.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/mar/12/2011-rugby-world-cup-bid-home-nations

Derailing this thread isn't what I wanted to do either.

My first post was meant to be light-hearted and my second purely factually, but by calling me wrong you're just being rude and obnoxious. I just wanted to offer a different perspective but if you want to root yourself in your parochial perception of things that's your choice.

@Putin: Yes, the title does persist in Britain, especially in papers like the Telegraph. I have a lot of Irish friends who would disagree with its use though. It really shouldn't be called a Home Nation.

Anyway, politics aside - great win.

Lol! When you insult me it is light hearted but when I respond it is rude and obnoxious? You are such a Lib dem, Sarge :p.

Australias missing players wouldn't have made a blind bit of difference the Irish won with the front 3

The Irish forwards were excellent, and they have superb and pretty damned useful boots in the forms of O'Gara and Sexton. As an England fan, I'm bloody jealous :p. Let's hope Wilkinson has had his Weetabix before the next game

Looks like England beat a pretty good Argentine side the way the latter manhandled Romania.

Both England and Argentina played some pretty ugly rugby in that game. The England tactics seemed to be to keep tackling hard until the Argies were too lame or exhausted to maintain a decent defense. That sort of thing won't work against the big players.

To add to that, neither England or Argentina could make a kick worth mentioning. I'm hoping it was down to early nerves or freak conditions...

@Sargmacher 'I have a lot of Irish friends who would disagree with its use though' thats a great debating tactic, I'm going to use that from now on.

Maniac, are you new here? Everybody on here uses that "my grandpappy sez, or my black friend sez". It's the primary form of debate. It fact it's the only acceptable kind.

Don't derail this thread please

@putin33 - I can provide a list of people who under oath would swear that such tactics are not commonly used on here.

@trim101 - it's a thread about how well Ireland played Rugby - it won't last :)

That may be true but don't derail there has to be some rugby fans

Ronan O'Gara has announced his retirement after the competition ends, talk about going out on a high! I understand, from wiki, that he was born in San Diego, maybe he will take on a job as a coach to the USA team?

doubt it he will probably stay as a coach with munster dont think his will be the last retirement annoucement

@Maniac: It was said in earnest :)

and for rugby

Debating whether to just live with 5hrs sleep so as to be awake and watch England game. Tomo is a long working day..... It better be worth it!

Do it.