Henry: Upbeat
The France versus All Blacks aspect in the pool is intriguing and will create a lot of interest. That is what we want in the game.
Graham Henry
Quotes of the week
Graham Henry is thrilled at the prospect of a New Zealand-France opener in the 2011 World Cup.
The All Blacks head coach has taken his side back to world number one this year after they were sent crashing out of the 2007 World Cup by Les Bleus.
Despite being drawn against the French in the group stages for the 2011 tournament, which will be staged in New Zealand, Henry is refusing to dwell on worries about facing their quarter-final conquerors.
"It is three years away, and a lot can happen in three years - teams get stronger and teams deteriorate," said Henry.
"The France versus All Blacks aspect in the pool is intriguing and will create a lot of interest. That is what we want in the game.
"It's nice to meet them in a pool game when not everything depends on winning.
"Hosting the event is great for New Zealand and a chance to put ourselves on the map. We did that with the Lions in 2005, and this is going to be even greater.
"If it's a France-New Zealand opener to the tournament then great, give it profile."
The reigning Tri-Nations champions will have to overcome their poor record in the tournament though, having won the title just once - in 1987.
World Cup 2011 Winner Win Outright: New Zealand Evens
Northampton 31-20 Saracens - Venter
Northampton 31-20 Saracens - Geraghty
Northampton 31-20 Saracens - Tonga'Uiha
Cardiff Blues 18-29 Gloucester - Paul Tito
Cardiff Blues 18-29 Gloucester- James Simpson-Daniel
Bulls 50-35 Highlanders - Reaction
Waratahs 73-12 Lions - Reaction
Brumbies 24-22 Sharks - Reaction
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Guinness Premiership | |
| Friday 19th March | |
| Guinness Premiership | |
| 19:45 | Sale vs Wasps |
| Sunday 21st March | |
| 15:00 | Bath vs Northampton |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Gloucester |
| Saturday 27th March | |
| 14:15 | Bath vs Harlequins |
| 15:00 | Gloucester vs Leeds Carnegie |
| 15:00 | Northampton vs Wasps |
| 15:00 | Worcester vs Leicester |
| Sunday 28th March | |
| 15:00 | Saracens vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | London Irish vs Sale |
| Friday 2nd April | |
| 19:45 | Sale vs Worcester |
| Saturday 3rd April | |
| 15:00 | Leicester vs Bath |
| 15:00 | Gloucester vs Saracens |
| 15:00 | Harlequins vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 4th April | |
| 15:00 | Leeds Carnegie vs Northampton |
| 15:00 | Wasps vs London Irish |
| Saturday 17th April | |
| 15:00 | Northampton vs Gloucester |
| 15:00 | Bath vs Sale |
| 15:00 | Worcester vs Wasps |
| Sunday 18th April | |
| 15:00 | Saracens vs Harlequins |
| 15:00 | London Irish vs Leeds Carnegie |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Leicester |
| Friday 23rd April | |
| 19:45 | Sale vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 24th April | |
| 15:00 | Gloucester vs London Irish |
| 15:00 | Northampton vs Saracens |
| 15:00 | Leicester vs Harlequins |
| Result |
|---|
| Guinness Premiership |
| Sunday 7th March |
| Guinness Premiership |
| Wasps 24 - 19 Gloucester |
| Leeds Carnegie 19 - 12 Saracens |
| Newcastle 13 - 17 Bath |
| Sale 7 - 15 Northampton |
| Saturday 6th March |
| Leicester 35 - 19 London Irish |
| Harlequins 14 - 11 Worcester |
| Sunday 28th February |
| London Irish 29 - 14 Harlequins |
| Saracens 14 - 16 Bath |
| Leeds Carnegie 26 - 10 Wasps |
| Saturday 27th February |
| Northampton 19 - 3 Leicester |
| Gloucester 47 - 3 Sale |
| Friday 26th February |
| Worcester 13 - 0 Newcastle |
| Sunday 21st February |
| Wasps 9 - 0 Saracens |
| Saturday 20th February |
| Newcastle 12 - 12 London Irish |
| Leicester 33 - 11 Gloucester |
| Harlequins 13 - 6 Northampton |
| Bath 37 - 13 Worcester |
| Friday 19th February |
| Sale 10 - 19 Leeds Carnegie |
| Sunday 14th February |
| Wasps 22 - 16 Sale |
| London Irish 22 - 35 Bath |
| Leeds Carnegie 9 - 14 Leicester |
| Saturday 13th February |
| Saracens 25 - 20 Worcester |
| Northampton 25 - 13 Newcastle |
| Gloucester 46 - 6 Harlequins |
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