The 2007 Traveller Focus Week was launched this week by the Irish Travellers Movement (ITM) under the theme ‘Inclusion'. There are several objectives to the week including encouraging travellers to participate more in policy development and public life, to promote an understanding of Travellers position in Irish society. The organisers also hope that the week will highlight the contribution Travellers bring to Irish Society.
A large variety of green electrical equipment exists for those who like to travel, camp or assuage their guilty consciences about the amount of batteries they use. Luckily, they are far from a chore.
The 2007 World Cup is New Zealand's tournament to lose. They enter as hot favourites and have been the form team at previous finals, but have yet failed to win a title since 1987. The main problem is the pressure exerted by an expectant media and public at home. Few teams have the ability to beat New Zealand, but they can crumble under pressure and beat themselves.
Pity the Welwitschias for at RWC 2007 anything in a Namibian jersey will be chewed-up and spat out. Namibia is a third-tier rugby nation and easily the worst team participating. IRB rankings place them 25 in the world – the lowest ranked team making the trip to France. Namibia's main problem is that they contest too few full internationals, and therefore lack experience.
The Romanians can be expected to beat Portugal and will be attempting to win two matches for the first time in their fifth appearance at the World Cup. A heavy defeat to New Zealand is anticipated but they will hope to push both Italy and Scotland close with the aim of winning one of these matches.
Portugal is the first all-amateur team to qualify for the RWC since the dawn of the professional era in 1995 and the Wolves' trip to France will mark their RWC debut. Following a tempestuous qualification series, Portugal snatched the final entry berth with wins over the Czech Republic, Georgia, Ukraine and Uruguay. However, recent form will not suffice.This weak rugby nation's qualification to the RWC is a staggering accomplishment. It is testament to Portugal's recent successes in the European Nations Cup and IRB Nations Cup.
Bernard Laporte has taken away what people love about French rugby - flare and off-the-cuff play. France are now disciplined and structured in play. Home advantage is significant for France. Should they play well, fans will get behind them; perform poorly and Laporte and his players will feel the wrath of a demanding and fickle crowd who have previously turned nasty. This makes the opening game against Argentina all the more crucial for France.
The Pumas suffered several injuries in recent weeks, have lost three mid-field players and will struggle to emerge from Pool D simply because they don't have the necessary player strength and depth. An extremely abrasive side at home as demonstrated during the summer internationals, not many teams can travel to Buenos Aires in a hostile environment and win. However, Argentina, like many teams, are not the same force when they play away from home.