Rugby World Cup

Big four are streets ahead

15 October 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees says the 40 group matches have highlighted the difference in the two sides of the draw World Rugby’s plans for a 24-team tournament […]

Ireland resist injuries to go unchanged against New Zealand

13 October 2023 0 comments

Ireland have overcome several knocks to name an unchanged XV against New Zealand for potentially the highest octane quarter-final in Rugby World Cup history. Ireland’s […]

Farrell at fly-half, Smith full-back for Fiji quarter-final

13 October 2023 0 comments

Captain Owen Farrell will start at fly-half with fellow number 10 Marcus Smith at full-back for England’s crunch World Cup quarter-final clash with Fiji. Farrell […]

Biggar back for Wales as heavyweights return

13 October 2023 0 comments

Wales have brought several heavyweights back into the starting XV as Argentina name a largely unchanged side for their quarter-final clash. Dan Biggar has overcome […]

Australia don’t have a style of rugby – Campese

13 October 2023 0 comments

David Campese admits Australia didn’t deserve to get through to the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup, but does not want to lay the […]

Shades of 2015 in current All Blacks team – Fitzpatrick

12 October 2023 0 comments

All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick sees parallels between the current New Zealand team and their 2015 World Cup winning squad. Despite losing their opening match […]

Series 3, Episode 12: RWC Pool review and QF preview with David Campese

11 October 2023 0 comments

The Rugby World Cup pool stages have come to an end, and what a way to finish! Portugal landed their first ever World Cup win, […]

Ryan and Hansen unlikely to feature in Ireland’s quarter-final

10 October 2023 0 comments

Second row James Ryan and winger Mack Hansen are major doubts for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final with New Zealand this Saturday. Ryan has reportedly […]

Portugal beat quarter-finalists Fiji to earn first World Cup win in classic

8 October 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Fiji……………………………………………23 Tries: Botia 48, Doge 68 Conversions: Lomani 49, 69 Penalties: Lomani 10, 74, 76 Portugal……………………………………24 Tries: Storti 45, Fernandes […]

Tonga end tournament with exciting Romania victory

8 October 2023 0 comments

By Tom Jeffreys Tonga……………………………………………45 Tries: Kata 11, 66; Moala 15, Taumoepeau 22, Vailanu 49, Ahki 62, Taumoefolau 71 Conversions: Havili 13, 17, 23, 51, 63 […]

Carreras hat-trick sends Argentina through with entertaining win

8 October 2023 0 comments

By Matthew Luddington Japan…………………………………………..27 Tries: Fakatava 16, Saito 38, Naikabula 65 Conversion: Matsuda 17, 39, 67 Penalties: Matsuda 52 Drop Goals: Lemeki 56 Argentina……………………………………..39 Tries: […]

Farrell so sorry for shot clock blunder

8 October 2023 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Lille Skipper Owen Farrell vowed never to repeat his blunder that could have cost nervy England victory against Samoa. Farrell fell […]

Wales top pool but Faletau ruled out

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after breaking his arm in the 43-19 win over […]

The Great Escape! Veteran Care gets England out of jail

8 October 2023 0 comments

By NICK CAIN England ……………………………………. 18pts Tries: Chessum 9, Care 73 Conversions: Farrell 74 Penalties: Farrell 18, 58 Samoa ……………………………………… 17pts Tries: Ah Wong 22, […]

Majestic Ireland blow Scots away

8 October 2023 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Ireland……………………… 36pts Tries: Lowe 2, Keenan 26, 39; Henderson 32, Sheehan 44, Ringrose 58 Conversions: Sexton 27, 33, 40 Scotland ………………… 14pts […]

Carreras gets vote at No.10 for Pumas

8 October 2023 0 comments

PREVIEW… Japan v Argentina Today. Kick-off 12pm, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes It is winner takes all in Nantes today to determine who plays Wales […]

Moala makes his World Cup debut

8 October 2023 0 comments

PREVIEW… Tonga v Romania Today. Kick-off 4.45pm Stade Pierre-Mauroy ROMANIA head coach Eugen Apjok has made nine changes as hooker Ovidiu Cojocaru captains the side […]

Fiji need just one point to qualify

8 October 2023 0 comments

Preview Fiji v Portugal Today. KO 8pm Stadium de Toulouse FIJI require one point from today’s match to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first […]

Wales finish with a flourish

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Wales…………………………… 43pts Tries: Francis 16, Williams 23, Rees-Zammit 43, 67, 74; North 80 Conversions: Costelow 17, 24, 44, 69, 80+1 Penalties: Costelow […]

Epic match in store as Ireland sharpen claws

8 October 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK An Ireland v New Zealand quarter-final is a mouthwatering prospect, especially after Andy Farrell’s team came away with […]

Italy crushed by rampant France

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER France……………………………60pts Tries: Penaud 2, 37; Bielle-Biarrey 12, Ramos 21, Jalibert 46, Mauvaka 53, Moefana 63, 75 Conversions: Ramos 2, 13, 22, 38, […]

Pellegrini shows the depth of talent

8 October 2023 0 comments

Pat Pellegrini’s beautifully taken chip-and-chase try for Tonga against South Africa in last weekend’s World Cup clash in Marseille was a great showcase not just […]

Sacrificial lambs who took one for the team

8 October 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED RUGBY being a hard old game even when things are going your way, the willingness to suffer is every bit as […]

Bunker mentality makes it easier for refs

8 October 2023 0 comments

Where football leads, rugby inevitably follows. So when can we expect the equivalent of a VAR cock-up to lord it over the national news bulletins […]

Keep Portugal in game

8 October 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER Portugal might have become the surprise package of RWC2023 for some, but […]

Austin’s bite would add to the show

8 October 2023 0 comments

I miss Austin Healey. There, I said it. I miss his eagle eye spotting stuff I have missed; I miss him questioning a team’s tactics […]

Time for the mind games to take centre stage

8 October 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees wonders whether a demanding run-in for the favourites will open the door for England and Wales THE World Cup has reached the stage […]

Bunker system may expand to other contests

8 October 2023 0 comments

It was always going to be a World Cup in which discipline would be crucial with a zero tolerance on head high tackles which lacked […]

Galthie joy as France’s wait for Meafou is nearly over

8 October 2023 0 comments

Expect to see New Zealand-born, Australia-raised Emmanuel Meafou in a France squad as early as next year in time for the start of the next phase […]

Paris set for Celtic clash of titans

6 October 2023 0 comments

The rugby world will be transfixed for 80 minutes on Saturday night as world number one team Ireland face Scotland in a winner takes all […]

New Zealand cruise into quarter-finals

5 October 2023 0 comments

By Matthew Luddington New Zealand……………………………………….73 Tries: McKenzie 20, 53; Mo’unga 25, Jordan 33, 65; Roigard 38, Newell 45, Fainga’anuku 49, 68, 77; Williams 73 Conversions: […]

Ford-Farrell combination reignited as England face Samoa

5 October 2023 0 comments

Pool D toppers England have named a strong line-up in search of an emphatic win against Samoa to finish off a resurgent pool campaign. Borthwick, […]

Wales eye revenge to top Pool C

5 October 2023 0 comments

Wales are taking no risks in their final pool stage game on Saturday afternoon as they seek to secure top spot in Pool C and […]

All Blacks’ determination pleasing Fitzpatrick

5 October 2023 0 comments

Sean Fitzpatrick was surprised by the manner in which New Zealand dismantled Italy last Friday night, but is confident the All Blacks’ focus and determination […]

RWC final round: Pool-by-pool permutations

3 October 2023 0 comments

Heading into the finale of the pool stages, there are six quarter-final places still up for grabs in the Rugby World Cup, with just England […]

Series 3, Episode 11: RWC Round 4 review with Sean Fitzpatrick

2 October 2023 0 comments

There is just one round of the Rugby World Cup pool stage remaining and it all hinges on week five! The headline from the last […]

South Africa edge closer to knockout stage with Tonga victory

1 October 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor South Africa……………………..49 Tries: Reinach 5, Moodie 20, Fourie 32, Kriel 49, Le Roux 58, van Staden 63, Smith 80+1 Conversions: […]

Australia overcome Portugal to keep slim hopes alive

1 October 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Australia……………………………………34 Tries: Arnold 19, Porecki 21, Bell 26, McReight 47, Koroibete 74 Conversions: Donaldson 20, 21, 27 Penalties: Donaldson 4 […]

Care: We believe we can succeed

1 October 2023 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Le Touquet Danny Care reckons England have proved the doubters wrong and have got supporters grinning after going three from three […]

24-team World Cup would suit MacGinty

1 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES AJ MacGinty is pumped to fire Bristol’s potent back division this season, but after having a rare full pre-season this summer admits […]

Centurion Sanchez leads way for Pumas

1 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Argentina ………59pts Tries: Sanchez 9, Gonzalez 16, 68, Creevy 23, Bogado 46, Isgro 64, Ruiz 77, Carreras 79 Conversions: Sanchez 10, 17, […]

Georgia make Fiji battle to the end

1 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Fiji………………………………. 17pts Tries: Nayacalevu 51, Habosi 68 Conversions: Lomani 52, 69 Penalty: Lomani 65 Georgia………………………. 12pts Penalties: Matkava 5, 80; Niniashvili 19, […]

Scotland set up an Ireland decider

1 October 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Scotland ……………………… 84pts Tries: Watson 9, Price 17, Graham 21, 34, 40, 77; Fagerson 38, Harris 45, Smith 53, Healy 58, Matthews […]

All Blacks annihilate shambolic Azzurri

1 October 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER New Zealand………………. 96pts Tries: Jordan 6, 69; Smith 16, 26, 33; Telea 19, Savea 21, 40+2; Retallick 50, Papali’i 56, Coles 60, […]

Pollard returns as Boks go big

1 October 2023 0 comments

Preview: South Africa v Tonga (Today, 8pm) Handre Pollard will play his first Test since August 2022 when the Springboks meet Tonga in Marseille. The […]

Eddie bins ace centre Kerevi

1 October 2023 0 comments

Preview: Australia v Portugal (Today, 4:45pm) Samu Kerevi has been left out of Australia’s final pool game against Portugal as Eddie Jones calls in a […]

Farrell doesn’t get into my XV

1 October 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK AS England approach their last pool match against Samoa on Saturday, and the likelihood of a quarter-final against […]

In Gats we trust! Old boss has new tricks

1 October 2023 0 comments

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND IF THE Wales win over Australia proved anything it is that in Gats we trust! There were those who […]

For once, Erasmus makes the wrong call

1 October 2023 0 comments

Rassie Erasmus is not known for missing many tricks when it comes to tactical thinking, whether in selection or playing mind-games. However, South Africa’s controversial […]

It wasn’t so easy back in Rory’s day

1 October 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED RORY Underwood. Remember him? You should. To this day, the Leicester wing stands tall – rather taller than he was in […]

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