JEFF PROBYN
A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME

Flashpoint: Federico Mendez flattens Paul Ackford

The first shock result of the World Cup fittingly provided by the hosts, Japan, against Ireland will certainly have focused the minds of all the Tier 1 nations.
Much as we all enjoy it when the underdog beats one of the big boys (unless it’s our team) the truth is it is unlikely to make much difference to the outcome of the Pools and therefore the quarter-final line-up.
Already we are seeing the usual suspects staking their claim for the knockout stages and by the end of next weekend, we&...