Day 2: Talking points

The maths

The shape of the semi-finals is now becoming clearer.

After two rounds only four teams are on maximum points – England, France, New Zealand and the United States.

New Zealand– with the help of Hong Kong – also have a massive points difference advantage, so assuming they beat Canada on Thursday (and nothing we have seen so far suggests they will not), a top semi-final seeding seems likely.

Franceseem to be on a different level to other teams in their pool, andEnglandshould beat the USA.

France are marginally favourites to become second seeds and England third, but this is somewhat academic as whichever way around they end second and third seeds meet in the second semi-final, and there is no way either team can catch up with New Zealand (or Canada’s) points different advantage

United Statesare likely “best runner up”, as they are already on 10 points – unlessCanadacan stay within seven points of the Ferns in which case they will grab the fourth spot.

Ireland– with no bonus points – simply have to beat France.

So the semi-final line-up appears to be:

New Zealand vs United States(or Canada)England vs France(or Ireland)

Crowds and format

Much was made before the tournament about the pool stages being as sell-out. And yet games, especially early in the day, have been played before distinctly less than sell-out crowds. Why?

The reason is that a ticket is for all three games on a ground – and if someone is buying for Ireland (for France’s) evening games it is unlikely that they will want to arrive five or more hours early. What is more at this World Cup– unlike in 2010 and 2014 - spectators cannot move between venues. When play ends at one ground they cannot move to the other.

So empty seats is the outcome, which does not look good, and also results in frustrated fans (especially from England) who see empty seats they would have paid to fill.

We do not yet know where the 2021 World Cup will be, but surely this format has to change? We know it was devised in 2010 to minimise cost, but it is now minimising income which means that, despite being a sell-out, the tournament will still have to be subsidised by the IRFU and World Rugby, making women’s test rugby a greater drain on the game’s resources than it should be. It could even be starting to pay its way.