I've booked tickets for three of the 4 games at the HJS. I'm looking to seeing Samoa, who have several backs from Penrith's GF winning side and the QF that should be Samoa/England V Tonga. I couldn't be bothered with the NZ v Lebanon game, as it won't be remotely competitive, but it still makes me think of SBW who slipped over the dead ball lane while strolling in for a certain score, the last time the Kiwis were in town.

Can't wait for this afternoon's game at 2.30, should be a good one.

Anyone else looking forward to the comp, or are you just not bothered about it?

I've not bought tickets yet, but im intending too, held off last year cos of covid, but not got around to it yet.

Just watching the build up, didn't realise ade gardner was the England conditioner still

Has Welsby played in the halves at all this season just gone....?

I've got tickets to Samoa v PNG on Tuesday, looking forward to it, should be a full-blooded contest. The Pacific Islanders generally don't hold back.

As for England.... if we play SL standard of rugby (which I'm almost certain of), we're not troubling the trophy engraver. If Samoa beat us today I wouldn't be shocked

Yeah he's played there a fair bit after dodd went down

My thoughts is I’m sick of Jon Wilkin already man does he love the sound of his own voice, even Mark Chapman made a comment about it earlier.

Seems to be the normal, quality, ultra-professional RL event

You need to post a more chaotic and confusing message to blend in with the coverage.

At least Brian 'For Our Viewers At Home' Noble is nowhere to be seen

I spoke too soon

Have you fetched your old oil lamp from under the stairs, in case of power cuts this winter, dusted it off, and accidentally summoned him?

I had mute on until kick off. Was it a noisy and lively opening ceremony?

Williams is having a good game alongside Welsby at half-back. We look far more capable of opening teams up than we have for a long while.

Overall it’s a pretty quiet atmosphere, only noisy when we have scored.

As good a performance as I can remember from England.

Aussie video ref is today’s winner. Job done doesn’t need a cup of tea and biscuit like our guys.

Williams is having a stormer near their line.

If Powell can get the pack to fire next season there’s much to look forward to.

That Williams looks like he has a handy short kicking game. We should look at him.

The big difference with this England performance is ruthlessness. We haven’t let up and played it negatively. Not seen this for a while.

9 of us heading to Bolton on Saturday. My organisational skills worthy of the opening ceremony…I’m (self) designated driver…

Wakeham looks to be doing okay in the first five against Australia.

And Chris Baron

If you're mode of transport is a fiat 500, then being the driver would be preferable to the squeeze in the back with six of your companions.

It was such a dominant performance by England, that I'm resetting my expectations with Samoa. It looks like they will most likely play Tonga in the QF at the HJS, and if I've read the way fixtures pan out correctly, the winner of that game will play England or the runner up in Tonga's group in the SF. It's not the end of the road for Samoa, but it's got more difficult as they looked far from even dark horses, yesterday. As England do not play either Australia or New Zealand on the way, they look more than capable of getting to the final without too much trouble, on the back of yesterday's display,

Judging by my daughter’s experience one bump with 9 people in and it would fall apart like Charlie Caroli’s car
( for younger readers he was a clown…)*


*Awaits inevitable comparisons

Great start to the comp....PA system at St James's Park failed for the opening ceremony ,& Samoa were so poor with their handling that it made life so much easier for England ,what a boring game. Aussie game was much better.

The half time summary at Leeds made me smile..It had obviously been done after the game & spliced in with computer wizardry. as there wasn't a soul in the stadium.