{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/633b3ddf2ce407001121c7e5/64f9ef9aad35b40011a0b3dc?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Rugby World Cup Begins! A belter of an opening match followed by almost two months of the ultimate rugby festival.","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/633b3ddf2ce407001121c7e5/1694126387104-3602e19100bb266f9734683d6dccc0ea.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The Other Hand's occasional coverage of the Rugby World Cup starts here!</p><p><br></p><p>An ongoing conversation with Irish Times journalist Nathan Johns. Enjoy some proper rugby analysis, a little rugby banter, free of cliche and jargon, from a journalist who really does know his stuff.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>In today's episode we set the scene by asking whether the RWC can be as unifying a force for France as was the 1998 soccer world cup.</p><p><br></p><p>The opening match couldn't have been better scripted: between the first and second favourites. </p><p><br></p><p>Why are the two sides of the draw so lopsided? Could Ireland fail to get out of 'the group of death'</p><p><br></p><p>The groups were decided years ago, to ease the travel plans of the world's <s>prawn sandwich</s> <s>brigade</s> rugby officials <s>and their friends and families</s></p><p><br></p><p>Will France, 'the most Unfrench team' prevail?</p><p><br></p><p>How will Ireland do? They cant be bullied any more but lack a little depth in the event of key injuries</p><p><br></p><p>England don't even know what their team is (really)</p><p><br></p><p>The Welsh had better watch out for Fiji</p><p><br></p><p>New Zealand really do have weaknesses, particularly up front</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Jim Power & Chris Johns"}