Students and teachers at RWC 2015

Two years ago I was in Australia playing and watching sport. I attended AFL training sessions and was at the MCG on Boxing Day for that world record crowd. Boy the Aussies love sport and are so competitive.

As England look to play them on Saturday in a pivotal Rugby World Cup game, I thought I would share some of the conversations I have shared with rugby fans in the last few days.

Interestingly my old school, Hutton Grammar School, Preston featured in those discussions.

So many have talked to me about the influence that Steve Borthwick had on the Japanese game plan versus the Springboks. The efficiency of the scrum, the competitiveness at the line out and a belief in their plans. Lets hope we see this thinking deployed elsewhere in rugby. Through our Twitter, we were able to debate this question more widely and received good insight from Bath Rugby's Neal Hatley.

Many of the independent rugby bloggers who engage with us, prepared articles on the 'dark arts' of the scrum - very interesting to read all these theories, most of which questioned the referee Jerome Garces plus England's Joe Marler and Dan Cole.

In the Independent, ex-Hutton Grammar School teacher, Brian Ashton talked about under-13 rugby development and its influence on the national team.

However, what struck me was his comments about how a team should interpret and react to a change in momentum in the game. Every game I watch live, whether its schoolboy, National 2 or Test match this is apparent.

Screaming coaches on the touch line or disguised water boys might try to convey messages but in my experience, it's the players on the field who can assess the shift that can then influence a positive reaction or change. Lets call them 'Students of the Game'.

The England coaches talk of a leadership group and I for one recognise how important this is. However, having the right data can make leadership a whole lot easier. In the heat of a game, with momentum shifting where is the analysis coming from.

It appears some teams have that player on the pitch; others have to wait for that data to reach them from the coaches box.

The Irish Independent had analysis from Gordon D'Arcy that attacked Sam Burgess' role in the England team. Many rugby fans I speak to recognise his talent and are desperate for him to succeed. What they then question is whether he is a back row or a centre?

Over 75 per cent of the rugby fans I have communicated with felt he was having a strong first half against Wales and had totally subdued Jamie Roberts. The changes that Stuart Lancaster then made to the back line caused more heated debate.

Both the Americans and Canadians played at the weekend and according to our reporters played an exciting and heads up game against more experienced opposition. England 7s player Dan Bibby used Twitter to talk of the influence a nucleus of international 7s players were having; most of my rugby friends agreed.

So a week to Talk Rugby Union and deliver an outstanding tournament. My next job to research a Hutton Grammar School All Stars who can take on these World Cup stars - more next week.