Home teams struggle

Ireland, Wales and Scotland are going out of their way to dispel the view that the gulf between rugby's large and small nations is now seriously damaging the sport.

While England, South Africa, New Zealand and France rattled up huge scores against lesser teams, this trio of Home Union sides struggled to get their Cup campaigns off the ground, despite flattering scorelines.

Scotland were in real danger against Japan before a couple of late tries allowed them to register a 32-11 win, with London Wasps wing Kenny Logan having a try ruled out for a knock on. The Japanese players exposed the Scots' limitations and there was nothing to suggest Ian McGeechan's team will be anything but also-rans when the tougher matches come along.

Ireland were expected to impose themselves hugely on a Romania side that is missing key players due to injury but the landslide didn't happen in Gosford. Local fans were delighted when the Romanians crossed the Irish try line and while Keith Wood's men emerged 45-17 winners, the result will not have impressed Argentina, who face the Irish in Adelaide next weekend.

The Pumas were strangely flat against Australia in their opening Cup clash and must defeat Ireland to have any chance of finishing second in the pool and qualifying for the quarter-finals.

But Keith Wood is adamant Romania will have a major say in who advances out of the World Cup's socalled group of death.

Wood and his team-mates can prepare for Sunday's encounter with Namibia in the hope that Romania might do them a favour against Australia-and Argentina. "Romania could have a big impact on this group," said the inspirational Lions hooker.

"They are incredibly physical, fully able to take the game to the opposition and fully able to put them under an enormous amount of pressure.

"Not only that, when you look at the nature and manner in which they play, there is almost an additional risk of picking up an injury.

"Nobody wants to see that, but if it were to happen, and one team was affected badly, it could have a huge effect."

For Wales the story is even bleaker because they not only failed to put away a poor Canada side - winning just 41-10 - but ill-discipline meant two players, including captain Colin Charvis headed to the sin bin. Wales are in a tough pool along with New Zealand, Tonga and Italy and on this first showing could miss out on a potential quarter-final clash with England.

The English will have to win their pool to make that happen while the Welsh must triumph against Italy and Tonga. They have no hope against the All Blacks.