Rugby World Cup Special: TGt Meets ... Ann Carlton

We've been speaking to rugby fan Ann Carlton, Director of Private Clients at Thrings Law, on the Rugby World Cup, her predictions for this year, and the players she thinks will stand out...

Who will win the World Cup, and why?

New Zealand – they are, currently, seeded No:1, have world class payers in every position and are consistently in a class above the rest of the world;

Who are the dark horses, and why?

Wales – on the last couple of performances they have, steadily, improved and look likely to peak at the right time. They have an astute coach in Warren Gatland with all players buying in to ‘Warrenball’.

Which nation will flop, and why?

England – have an inadequate captain & inadequate coach who acts as a ‘sergeant major treating the players like school boys. The team appears to have a plan A but no plan B.

Who will be the stand-out player of the tournament, and why?

Milner-Skudder – All Blacks fullback/wing (The Stepper) – another convert from rugby league, he scored 2 tries for the All Blacks against Australia in August 2015.

Name the England XV you’d pick for the first game against Fiji…

Position          Name
1                      M. Vunipola
2                      R. Webber
3                      K. Brookes
4                      G. Kruis
5                      J. Launchbury
6                      J. Haskell
7                      C. Robshaw
8                      B. Vunipola
9                      B. Youngs
10                   O. Farrell
11/14              A. Watson/J. Nowell
12                   S. Burgess
13                   H. Slade
15                   M. Brown

Does home advantage mean a great deal in a World Cup?

On the percentages – No!

Which was the first World Cup you watched as a child?

There was no World Cup when I was a child, the first one was 1987 when I was 39!

What is your favourite memory of World Cups past, and why?

Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal against the Australians in 2003 – why, because it won the World Cup for England.

What does the Rugby World Cup mean to you?

Frustration/disappointment watching England failing to live up to their billing since 2003.