This week’s #360Rugby takes in Scotland’s new joie de vivre, England’s settled Rugby World Cup starting XV and Argentina’s star Super Rugby recruits.

– Wales: Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of Rugby World Cup
– England: RFU would allow Lancaster to lead British Lions
– Wales: Team must press on after injuries to key players
– England: Jonnny May seems set for World Cup spot

Wales all but out of World Cup reckoning
When news broke on Monday afternoon that Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny would miss the World Cup, you could hear the cries from the Dragons faithful in Jebel Ali.

Not literally of course but the importance of Halfpenny to the Welsh hopes of a first Rugby World Cup crown can not be underestimated.

The Toulon star was a casualty of his nation’s 23-19 victory over Italy in Cardiff this weekend where he tore a knee ligament that has now ended his chances of leading Wales on the grandest stage of them all.

While in sport you never write off a country before the tournament’s began, it is probably fair to say that with Halfpenny’s withdrawal went Wales’ hopes of glory. 

Laidlaw’s decision shows there is a new Scotland in town
Greig Laidlaw’s decision at the end of the game to turn down a straightforward three-pointer and a draw in favour of a kick to touch and a possible away win speaks volumes about Scotland’s new team.

Detractors will point to the fact that the Scots had the chance to arrest a 16-year losing streak in Paris but the scrum-half’s decision was the correct one.

As it happened the dark blues’ endeavor came to nothing but the significance of their positivity should not be underestimated.

Under Vern Cotter, Scotland are not satisfied with anything less than a win and came very close to beating a French team that outplayed England twice last month.

With South Africa in indifferent form and Samoa inconsistent at best, Group B will be the most competitive and compelling group by some distance.

England settle pre-World Cup jitters in style
England’s chariot is back on the rails. To say that The World Cup hosts have looked nervous in the last month is an understatement but against Ireland, Stuart Lancaster’s men looked back to their best.

Going into the game there were many question marks over England’s first-choice XV with the second-row and centre combinations a particular area of concern.

However Geoff Parling and Courtney Lawes showed cohesion in the lineout with 14 wins from 14 throws to nail down starting jerseys while Brad Barritt slotted in nicely next to Jonathan Joseph.

Ireland were touted as one of the pre-World Cup favourites before this match but failed to live up to the hype with a strangely lethargic display despite a full strength team.

Clermont move up a gear
This year’s Top 14 pace-setters Clermont continued their perfect start to the season with a 41-24 obliteration of Oyonnax.

Chief tormenter at the Stade Charles-Mathon was former All Black wing and one of international rugby’s most underrated finishers Hosea Gear, who looks like an early contender for the most exciting player in the division.

It is interesting to note that while leading teams in the Premiership and Pro12 suffer during international windows due to the unavailability of their top players; leading French teams tend to get stronger.

With no restrictions on employing foreign talent, Clermont are able to paper over the cracks left by their departing French stars and this yellow pain train shows no signs of slowing.

Argentinean stars sign up for Super Rugby
Seasoned Argentinean internationals Juan Manuel Leguizamón  and Juan Martin Hernandez have signed up to represent the Argentinean side in their inaugural Super Rugby campaign next year.

The southern hemisphere’s premier club competition is known for its high tempo and whilst it is not ideal to be carrying too many elder statesmen, the South American’s will need all the leadership they can muster in order to make their transition into the tournament as smooth as possible.

In terms of preparation, Toulon fly-half Hernandez will be able to share his experiences from his season playing for South Africa’s Natal Sharks in the 2010 Currie Cup and will have a very good understanding of the demands of Super Rugby.

It is no doubt going to be a very steep learning curve for the Super Rugby rookies but if they can replicate their international team’s success in the Rugby Championship, then a realistic goal for the team is to finish mid-table by 2018.

Extra-time
This week’s extra-time serves as a double lesson to youngsters playing the game.

Sam Burgess’ huge hit on Ian Madigan during England’s win against Ireland is a shining example of perfect tackling technique and how to gain 40 yards with aggressive defence.

On the flip side Madigan will not thank his inside man for giving him what is known in the trade as a ‘hospital pass’ for obvious reasons.