RWC 2011: Pool A Review – Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Tonga

Pool A has an  Ulster Quotient of 2 with John Afoa the only Ulster player  involved.

Looking through the team lists below there are a few names in those squads that I’d have loved to have seen running out at Ravers with the Red Hand proudly emblazoned across their chests, so my honorary Ulster men in this group are Imanol Harinordoquy of France, Jamie Cudmore of Canada and Conrad Smith of New Zealand.

Oft criticised for his temperament, Harinordoquy just reeks class and grace in the line out and his open play is something every backrow forward should aspire to but he never seemed to get the same international recognition as Parisse of Italy or Fernández Lobbe of Argentina because he was always playing in a better side, and can move seamlessly across the back row, but he’s the best No 8 in World Rugby in my book.

It’s probably too late for the rambunctious Cudmore to pull on a Red Hand but there were a good few years in the not too distant past when his aggressive, and somewhat punchy, attitude was exactly what Ulster needed up front – anyone who will go toe to . . .