Brendan Gallagher’s reminiscences from a truly memorable World Cup in Japan

Bowing out: The Japanese team show humility

Best ref never to get a final: Wayne Barnes

The Rugby World held its breath ten years ago when the blazers took a punt and asked Japan to stage RWC2019, the first T2 nation to be so honoured and the first time Asia was invited to rugby’s top table.
That gamble had paid of gloriously in recent weeks with South Africa the most worthy of champions, the first team ever to lose a Pool game but win the trophy. And unlike 1995 when the presence ...