Rugby World Cup

Time for an elite 16-team contest

17 September 2023 1 comment

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST OCTOBER 2003 was a busy old month, what with Mother Teresa being beatified by Pope John Paul II, the Chinese launching […]

Reviving the lost art of the drop goal

17 September 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees sees George Ford join an impressive list of players whose quick thinking has made the difference GEORGE Ford resurrected not only England’s reputation […]

Time aspiring nations received more even-handed officiating

17 September 2023 0 comments

IT WAS hard not to feel for Fiji at the end of one of the epic World Cup matches. Not because Semi Radradra dropped a […]

PJ keeps on rolling, against all the odds

17 September 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW THE rain hadn’t long stopped sheeting down when the Grand Old Man of the World Cup made […]

Adam Hathaway’s World Cup Diary: Week Two

17 September 2023 0 comments

TRP reporter Adam Hathaway gives the lowdown on the latest inside stories at Rugby World Cup 2023 The Times nearly keep us all waiting The […]

Wallabies benefit from Fiji brilliance

17 September 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER NATIONALITY is a pretty fluid concept in the South Pacific with families […]

All Blacks run riot in Toulouse over Namibia

15 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor New Zealand… 71pts Tries: Roigard 2, 7, McKenzie 20, 39, Fainga’anuku 25, Lienert-Brown 35, de Groot 49, Papali’i 54, Havili […]

Halliday: ‘Special’ Ford should remain at fly-half over Farrell

15 September 2023 0 comments

By Matthew Luddington Simon Halliday has commended George Ford’s outstanding performance against Argentina, describing it as “pretty special.” He also expressed the view that Owen […]

France overcome impressive Uruguay for second World Cup win

14 September 2023 1 comment

By Nick Powell, Online Editor France………………..27 Tries: Hastoy 11, Mauvaka 55, Bielle-Biarrey 73 Conversions: Jaminet 13, 56, 74, 77 Penalties: Jaminet 4, 16 Uruguay………………12 Tries: […]

Lake skippers much-changed Wales for Portugal

13 September 2023 0 comments

Dewi Lake has replaced Jac Morgan as captain among 13 changes Wales have made for their second Rugby World Cup match against Portugal. Lake comes […]

Simpson-Daniel: Ford’s display best since Wilkinson

13 September 2023 0 comments

James Simpson-Daniel has claimed George Ford’s performance against Argentina was the best an England fly-half had played since the prime days of Jonny Wilkinson. Ford […]

Wales hold on for critical win against Fiji

11 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor Wales…………………………….32 Tries: Adams 7, North 29, Rees-Zammit 48, Dee 66 Conversions: Biggar 30, 49, 67 Penalties: Biggar 2, 24 Fiji…………………………………26 […]

Springbok double blow sinks battling Scots

10 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor at Stade de Marseille South Africa…………………18 Tries: Du Toit 47, Arendse 51 Penalties: Libbok 13, 25 Conversions: De Klerk 52 […]

Player Ratings From South Africa’s win against Scotland

10 September 2023 0 comments

Beyond the opening night, there was another blockbuster clash between two of the world’s top five teams to be played this weekend. And South Africa […]

Japan off to winning start against spirited debutants Chile

10 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Japan………………………….42 Tries: Fakatava 8, 41, Naikabula 30, Leitch 53, Nakamura 71, Dearns 79 Conversions: Matsuda 10, 31, 42, 54, 73, […]

Brilliant Ford has the drop on Pumas

10 September 2023 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY England, down to 14 men within three minutes of the kick-off, put in a performance of guts, determination and poise to beat […]

Forshaw: Fiji will be a bruising encounter

10 September 2023 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Defence coach Mike Forshaw has warned his players to be ready for “lightning bolts” from the Fijians when Wales open their 2023 […]

27-point Ford helps England rediscover their soul

10 September 2023 0 comments

From NICK CAIN at Stade de Marseille England ……………………….. 27pts Penalties: Ford 10, 46, 54, 59, 66, 75 Drop-goals: Ford 27, 31, 37 Argentina …………………….. […]

Where does this leave Farrell?

10 September 2023 0 comments

PAUL REES Steve Borthwick tore up his playbook with the team he selected to face Argentina and his boldness saw a team that had sleepwalked […]

When you go down to 14, it’s flight or fight… and England fought

10 September 2023 0 comments

BRENDAN GALLAGHER SOMETIMES a little adversity does you good and it certainly sparked a reaction from England in Marseille last night. Already under the cosh […]

France get in groove to finish in style

10 September 2023 0 comments

From NICK CAIN at Stade de France France………………………….. 27pts Tries: Penaud 55, Jaminet 78 Conversion: Ramos 57 Penalties: Ramos 5, 20, 29, 65, 74 New […]

Sexton in charge of Ireland’s destiny

10 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Ireland…………………………. 82pts Tries: Gibson-Park 5, Keenan 12, Beirne 17, 83; Aki 34, 75; Sexton 40, 62; Rob Herring 45, O’Mahony 50, 70; […]

Capuozzo takes time to get into his stride as Italy make it hard for Namibia

10 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Italy………………….52pts Tries: Cannone 11, Garbisi 15, Lamb 46, Capuozzo 55, Faiva 74, Zuliani 78, Odogwu 80+3 Conversions: Allan 12, 16, 47, 56, […]

Impressive Australians hit the ground running

10 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Australia……………………… 35pts Tries: Petaia 2, Nawaqanitawase 9, Donaldson 58, 68 Conversions: Donaldson 10, 59, 69 Penalties: Dondaldson 14, 20, 30 Georgia…………………………. 15pts […]

Samoa in good shape to do well, says Lam

10 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Pat Lam believes Samoa will pose the same threat in this year’s World Cup as they did in the 1990s when they […]

Callard backing Portugal to shine

10 September 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Jon Callard hopes Portugal can show the world what they are all about at the World Cup. The former England full-back and […]

France’s love of the game is clear to see

10 September 2023 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK – AT THE WORLD CUP THE French love nothing more than a good fête, with every city, […]

Too costly to dismiss Borthwick

10 September 2023 0 comments

The RFU can’t afford to sack Steve Borthwick even if they wanted to, with the under-performing England boss in line for a £3m payout if […]

Stick with 20 teams but bring in Trophy

10 September 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points IT’S very rare, in fact unique, for me to disagree with anything […]

Time right for second crown to come north

10 September 2023 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME THE opening weekend of matches will tell us a lot more about this World Cup and […]

Joy to see the hosts burst out of bubble

10 September 2023 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN THE Rugby World Cup party kicked off in France on Friday. Things have been simmering along with anticipation here for some […]

Argentina won't host Rugby World Cup in 2027

Series 3, Episode 7: Rugby World Cup Preview with Jeremy Guscott

6 September 2023 0 comments

Here. We. Go. The Rugby World Cup 2023 is upon us, and we can’t wait! It’s time to look ahead the tournament as a whole, […]

Dallaglio: Get rid of this siege mentality

3 September 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD England’s failing stars have been ordered to cut out the “siege mentality” and begin “owning their performances”. World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio […]

Willis aiming to be the local villain

3 September 2023 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Jack Willis headed back to France on Thursday with England aiming to go from local hero to villain in his adopted country. […]

Warburton: Ball in play time ‘crucial’ in France

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Sam Warburton believes fitness and management of ball in play time could be the difference in this World Cup. Warburton, who won […]

Flying Fijians ready to take on the world

3 September 2023 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Fiji winger Jiuta Wainiqolo says his side are not feeling any pressure as they prepare for their critical World Cup opener against […]

Miracle worker Capuozzo can make difference

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER ITALY Coach: Kieran Crowley Captain: Michele Lamaro Resurgent Italy may have landed the toughest of groups but they have nothing to lose […]

Dupont’s in mood to prove he is the best

3 September 2023 0 comments

By JAMES HARRINGTON FRANCE Coach: Fabien Galthie Captain: Antoine Dupont Fly-half Romain Ntamack, loosehead Cyril Baille, centre Jonathan Danty and, now, second row Paul Willemse. […]

Los Teros will be looking to add to their famous victory over Fiji

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER URUGUAY Coach: Esteban Meneses Captain: Andres Vilaseca Uruguay are beginning to shed upstart status. This will be their fifth Rugby World Cup […]

Welwitschias still looking for their first win

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER NAMIBIA Coach: Allister Coetzee Captain: Johan Deysel INDEPENDENCE from South Africa, in 1990, came a little too late for Namibia to make […]

All Blacks are still the team to beat

3 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES NEW ZEALAND Coach: Ian Foster Captain: Sam Cane This year’s World Cup is unusual in a number of respects, not least that […]

Cotter hopes the Oaks will not be easy to cut down

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK ROMANIA Coach: Eugen Apjok Captain: Christian-Marian Chirica ROMANIA return to the World Cup after missing out four years ago due to a […]

Farrell’s men on edge of history

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER IRELAND Coach: Andy Farrell Captain: Johnny Sexton IF not now, when? Not only are Ireland the number one ranked team in the […]

Darge: We’ve got to down the big dogs

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRYN PALMER SCOTLAND Coach: Gregor Townsend Captain: Finn Russell IF Scotland are to cause a sensation on the opening weekend of the World Cup […]

Kefu building a side set to battle out of the group

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK TONGA Coach: Toutai Kefu Captain: Sonatane Takulua TONGA are one of the biggest benefactors out of the change in World Rugby eligibility […]

Holders looking good for a repeat

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER SOUTH AFRICA Coach: Jacques Nienaber Captain: Siya Kolisi The bookies may still marginally favour hosts France and Rugby Championship winners New Zealand […]

Jones is backing his young bucks

3 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES AUSTRALIA Coach: Eddie Jones Captain: Will Skelton EDDIE Jones does not stay down for long. England’s former head coach may still be […]

Raiwalui’s men chasing third quarter-final spot

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Coach: Simon Raiwalui Captain: Waisea Nayacalevu After stunning Twickenham last weekend, Fiji will be confident of making their third World Cup quarter-final. […]

Gatland has another chance to prove his final credentials

3 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES WALES Coach: Warren Gatland Co-captains: Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake One of the more interested spectators at England’s tussle with Fiji last […]

Niniashvili and Tabutsadze are poised to hit the ground running

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLGHER GGEORGIA Coach: Levan Maisashvili Captain: Merab Sharikadze Georgia have become a permanent fixture at the Rugby World Cup with this their sixth […]

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