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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoAlun Wyn: We’re like athletes on the blocks
By ALEX BYWATER Controversy: Rob Howley Best of all time in Welsh colours? Alun Wyn Jones PICTURE: Getty Images IN WHAT...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoJapan gets its sense of proportion just right
THERE is a strong appreciation of detail and proportion in Japanese culture, as well as a deep sense of tradition, and...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoThese Georgians are powerful men warns Tipuric
Game plan: Justin Tipuric JUSTIN Tipuric insists Wales will have to find a middle ground between playing too loosely and getting...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoDump the penalty kick-off farce
WHEN it comes to over-complicating the tiebreaker in the event of a drawn World Cup final – semi-final, or quarter- final...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoIt’s party time as Japan tame the growly Bear
By NICK CAIN Hero: Kotaro Matsushima completes his hat-trick for Japan A HAT-TRICK of tries by dashing wing Kotaro Matsushima put...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoJapan’s not quite so perfect!
WORLD Rugby kicked off the tournament on Tuesday with an opening Press conference and a reminder of what have been. The...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoPressure got to us–Joseph
JAPANare targeting a firstever quarter-final but coach Jamie Joseph knows their aerial weakness must be addressed ahead of their match against...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoRoll up for £34 scarves
THE World Cup Megastore in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district was doing a roaring trade on Friday afternoon as fans flocked into the...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoCome on Samoa, let’s have one big upset!
BRENDAN GALLAGHER recalls the glory of Samoa and asks when will it return at the World Cup? Talent: Chris Vui Right:...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoWhen the Beast met Mickey
SOME of South Africa’s players visited Tokyo Disneyland, situated next to their hotel, but Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira gave it a miss....
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoExpect a reaction after Rob’s departure
Leader: Jonathan Davies has stepped up to help shape the attack in Rob Howley’s absence PICTURE: Getty Images THIS Welsh squad...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoPiano man Patchell gets in tune
Musical: Rhys Patchell CHOIRMASTER Rhys Patchell couldn’t contain his joy after finding a piano at Wales’ team hotel in Toyota. The...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoAll Blacks give proof they’re still the boss
By NICK CAIN Leap: Pieter-Steph du Toit scores for South Africa Scintillating: New Zealand’s George Bridge scores their first try after...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoBogey-man Burgess is gone but not forgotten
THE ghost of Sam Burgess continues to haunt England as their former centre features on promotional posters for the World Cup....
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoEastern promise delivered
Brendan Gallagher sees a nation present a stunning face and another display raw grit What it’s all about: Richie McCaw holds...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoOpen or closed roof? Luckily it’s not a matter for debate
WALES face Georgia at the City of Toyota Stadium on Monday and the venue is eerily similar to Cardiff ‘s Principality...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoHOW ALL THE OTHER WORLD CUPS STARTED
1987 New Zealand v Italy (Eden Park): The ceremony consisted of schoolkids and scouts shambling around the ground with the 16...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoWilliams is Wales’ card sharp
AFTER a tumultuous week and the departure of attack coach Rob Howley for alleged betting breaches, Wales turned to online games,...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoNothing’s changed by this insists Hansen
STEVE Hansen hailed his side’s first win of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in defence of their title, but maintained that...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoNeil has a break
JAPAN provides a unique cultural and gastronomic experience – so Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins took matters into his own hands...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoSmart All Blacks kick the Springboks into disarray
JEREMY GUSCOTT Galloping in: Scott Barrett runs home from 30m to score the All Blacks second try PICTURES: Getty Images WHAT...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoStay young with rugby
TOSHIO Yasuda, 88, is the oldest of the 13,000 World Cup volunteers chosen from 38,000 applicamts. “I get a lot of...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoLedesma blames ref for French survival
From ADAM HATHAWAY Early promise: Gael Fikou scores the first French try PICTURES: Getty Images Fightback: Julian Montoya celebrates scoring Argentina’s...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoTownsend powers up as injury hits Irish backline
By SAM JACKSON Strengths and weaknesses: Jordan Larmour JORDAN Larmour starts at full-back for Ireland after Rob Kearney was ruled out...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoLoss of Burger and Bothma are big blows for underpowered African minnows
NAMIBIA THE Namibians have conceded 1,148 points in their 19 World Cup games over the years with their goodnatured if doomed...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoEtzebeth probe hits the Boks
By RAYMOND WILSON SOUTH AFRICA Under investigation: Second row Eben Etzebeth PROSECUTORS in South Africa are investigating if Springbok lock Eben...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoWe have the ability to shock warns O’Shea
ITALY Trust in the world’s No.1 mouthguard brand www.shockdoctor.co.uk Parting shot: Sergio Parisse is one of the Italy legends about to...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoJapan will go ballistic if Blossoms bloom
Nick Cain predicts England will reach the semi-final – but then what? Read on… Expert tutelage: John McKee has improved Fiji’s...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoDazzling backs reminscent of Blues glory days
FRANCE POOL C Dangerman: Alivereti Raka FRANCE kick off their Pool action against Argentina and play the United States and Tonga...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoDuplicating that Dublin attack is key for England
ENGLAND By NICK CAIN Uncertainty at the back: Elliot Daly could be replaced at No.15 by Anthony Watson, right PICTURE: Getty...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoPumas target a victory over France to kick-start challenge
ARGENTINA Lone wolf: Juan Figallo ARGENTINA have dropped to 11th in the world rankings following nine consecutive Test defeats – but...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoGold standard can lift USA to new heights
USA A WAVE of renewed hope, optimism and almost expectation is sweeping the sport across the Pond following the success of...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoOur big ball carriers must stay fit says Fia
TONGA TONGA have been strangled by a Pool stage hoodoo since making their World Cup debut 32 years ago and the...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoJoseph calls up veterans to help Japan flourish
JAPAN Late choice: The 38-year-old Luke Thompson is in the squad KARNE Hesketh’s legendary last gasp try to beat the mighty...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoWe’re ready to create havoc says Fiji coach
FIJI Leading light: Fji wing Josua Tuisova COACH John McKee has had his work cut out travelling the globe to visit...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoO’Driscoll backs the world No.1s
IRELAND By SAM JACKSON Fine send off: Rob Kearney scores for Ireland as they beat Wales in Dublin POOL A IRELAND...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoIs it Pooper time again for Cheika?
AUSTRALIA By TRP REPORTER Swansong: Wallaby back row David Pocock will retire after Japan POOL D AUSTRALIA put 47 points –...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoSkipper Vui must be at his best to inspire this underpowered Samoan challenge
Play-maker: Fly-half Tusi Pisi SAMOA have always been underdogs, but they used to punch above their weight and the question in...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoOur footballers all think we’re mad to play rugby says Los Teros fly-half Berchesi
URUGUAY Venerated: Rodrigo Capo-Ortega is back at age of 39 FOUR years on and nothing much changes for Uruguay in terms...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoDarcy can prove small is dangerous
By GARY HEATLY SCOTLAND Pocket rocket: Scottish wing Darcy Graham SCOTLAND winger Darcy Graham has vowed to be at his mesmerising...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoNavidi aims to savour every minute
By STEFFAN THOMAS WALES Big expectations: Wales back row star Josh Navidi PICTURE: Getty Images JOSH Navidi is relishing the prospect...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoWinning one match would be fantastic says Jones
RUSSIA Captain: Vasily Artemyev RUSSIA’S presence in Japan has a slightly unreal feel after the controversial events surrounding the European Nations...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoBack row talent brings a gleam to Rowntree eye
GEORGIA Hero: Mamuka Gorgodze FORWARDS coach Graham Rowntree is backing his Lelos pack to leave their mark. Georgia enjoyed a fine...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoLittle things matter if the Canucks are to progress
CANADA Hope: Evan Olmstead CANADA emerged from last year’s last-chance saloon as convincing winners of the repechage tournament to continue the...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoParkes will know when time’s right to take risks
SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND Pivitol for Wales: Hadleigh Parkes PICTURE: Getty Images I SPENT THREE seasons playing rugby in...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoHansen: We’re here to enjoy it and win it
NEW ZEALAND POOL B Perfect ten: Richie Mo’unga will start at fly-half for the All Blacks with Beauden Barrett at full-back...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoGotovtsev is ready for the arm-wrestle!
RUSSIA is a mighty sporting nation and you sometimes wonder why more of their raw talent isn’t attracted to rugby. Athletic...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoStop-go Scots are dogged by injuries
■ By GARY FITZGERALD Early promise: Ali Price scores for Scotland PICTURE: Getty Images GREGOR Townsend flies out with his players...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoTheatrics have no place on great stage in Japan
NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK YOANN Huget is one of the best attacking talents in Rugby Union, and...
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Rugby World Cup
/ 6 years agoJonny clone Carbonel should be at RWC
LOUIS Carbonel is the closest thing there is to a young Jonny Wilkinson, and it is no surprise that he comes...












