Owen and Billy are Eddie problems

Nick Cain arrives in Tokyo to find Eddie Jones confronted by some big selectorial decisions Not at their best: Owen Farrell,...

Nonu joins San Diego

FORMER New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu has joined San Diego Legion for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The two-time World...

Whitelock just keeps on winning

NEWS EXTRA THE All Blacks victory over Namibia was stand-in captain Sam Whitelock’s 17th World Cup win in a row. Whitelock...

Diane’s smile caps a glorious debut for Scotland’s star man

ALL sorts of contenders for the jouer de rugby gallant t-shirt this week. The ever smiling Schalk Brits enjoyed what could...

Make Pacific Islands rugby’s West Indies

SO another World Cup is barely halfway through and all the Pacific Islands are on the way home – or rather...

Vocal Pichot’s braced for battle

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points GUS Pichot is used to battling the odds...

Adams hat-trick starts the recovery from Fijian storm

By SAM JACKSON WALES survived a scare to claim victory over Fiji and secure their place in the quarter-finals. The Grand...

Merab: We owe Milton a big debt

GEORGIA captain Merab Sharikadze paid tribute to outgoing coach Milton Haig as their World Cup finished in noble defeat. New Zealander...

Cheika returns Eddie’s volley

Winging in: Marika Koroibete scores Australia’s second try PICTURE: Getty Images From ADAM HATHAWAY at Shizuoka Stadium AUSTRALIA head coach Michael...

Pumas put on a show for Leguizamon sendoff

By SAM JACKSON ARGENTINA secured third place in Pool C with a bonus-point win over the USA to book their place...

Lapse in French focus creates a frantic finish

By GEORGE LAWRENCE FRANCE overcame a battling Tonga last Sunday but coach Jaques Brunel admitted there is serious work to be...

We must make our tackles – Edwards

SHAUN Edwards has told Wales to buck up their defensive approach or risk a World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands...

Red card likely to end Aki’s World Cup

From TOM BRADSHAW IRELAND guaranteed their place in a quarter- final against either the All Blacks or South Africa, but it...

Zinzan: I can’t call All Blacks v England

By GARY FITZGERALD NEW Zealand great Zinzan Brooke admits he ‘fears’ a World Cup semi-final showdown with England. The former All...

Eddie Jones really doesn’t care if Scotland miss out on World Cup quarter-finals

England head coach Eddie Jones has said only Scotland will be to blame if they fail to progress out of their...

The lingering questions for England heading into the knockouts

The considerable disruption Typhoon Hagibis has already caused may have accidentally offered Eddie Jones and England some sense of clarity as...

What to do about minnows?

The Rugby World Cup has caught the imagination of the spectators in Japan as well as audiences on television across the...

Probyn column: The truth about why Mendez punched Paul Ackford

The first shock result of the World Cup fittingly provided by the hosts, Japan, against Ireland will certainly have focused the minds...

Dream Team: Coventry and former Northampton Saints forward Ben Nutley

We talk to Ben Nutley and ask him to pick a XV of the top players he's played alongside or against

Exeter Chiefs keeping an eye on Welsh scrum-half Rhys Webb

Current first-choice scrum-half Nic White will leave Sandy Park at the end of the season and here's why Webb could leave...

World Rugby cancels England’s clash with France as ‘violent’ Typhoon Hagibis stays on course

Tournament organisers cancel two matches with concerns now being raised about Scotland's crunch match against Japan

Jackson column: England v Wales in World Cup final, says John Gallagher

As the first Englishman to win the World Cup and the only one to retire unbeaten, John Gallagher made the most...

Cain column: There’s no pleasure in Domes full of sweat

Nick Cain explores the sweltering conditions of Japan made more energy-sapping by the closure of the roof at stadiums such as...

Nic White to leave Exeter Chiefs and make Brumbies return

White is currently on duty with Australia at the Rugby World Cup

Fast games suit super-fit Wales says training guru

How sports science has Wales ready to be unbroken in the humid conditions of Japan

How to bet on rugby

Rugby is widely considered as one of the most physically combative sports on the planets. No protective pads, no helmets and...

Williams column: Hope has turned into belief after win over Aussies

How Wales' win over the Wallabies changed their outlook for the rest of the World Cup

Billy Vunipola to have scan on ankle and won’t be risked for France clash

An ankle injury England are acting unconcerned about and a Super Typhoon which people are concerned about

Problems will exist in the Pacific until we get a professional team, says Fiji coach McKee

John McKee reflects on the issues facing Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with all three nations set to exit the World Cup...

Bitter sweet as Fiji show us what we have missed

FIJI’S road from bust to boom at the World Cup was illustrated by some superb attacking rugby in their 45-10 trouncing...

There’s no pleasure in Domes full of sweat

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK ”Closing the roof of a stadium in a country with such high humidity...

Pocock the tree-hugger

AUSTRALIAN flanker David Pocock is wellknown for his stance on environmental issues and he was flying the flag ag ain in...

Another big prize in Japan

LAST YEAR’S Melbourne Cup was won by Cross Counter, trained in Newmarket by Charlie Appleby, and more Brits got their hands...

Hiromi ensures we’re not lost in translation

THE English Press pack were not impressed when they turned up at Tokyo’s £500-a-night Conrad Hotel for a Japan media conference...

Welsh are small fish in this pool

World Cup diary Wales size: But this Lake Biwa monster evaded the Welsh players WALES’ players claimed a big scalp with...

Ireland find something to have a beef about

Retort: Andrew Conway IRELAND did not hold back in enjoying the local cuisine while staying in the world capital of prime...

Lingerers beware!

ENGLANDhave been stay- ing in the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district but fans were given strict warnings about approaching...

Ireland’s school of rock

RUMOURSof Ireland starting their own rock band while on tour are circulating after centre Bundee Aki was spotted with a guitar...

Pod-life is teeming

THERugby Paper have been sampling down-to-earth accommodation in Kanda in Tokyo this week – living in a pod. The capsules come...

Farrell stays so cool as Zen-like England fly under the radar

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Handbags: But Owen Farrell, No.12 far left, stays out of the melee Cast your mind back exactly four...

Dalyand Itoje helpkeep Eddie’s show on the road

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK Quality: Maro Itoje sets the standard Consistent: Tom Curry, left, and Sam Underhill, right, were...

GB name coaches for Tokyo 2020

HEAD of England 7s Simon Amor will resume his position as head coach for Team GB men’s programme at next summer’s...

European bosses vote to scrap Continental Shield

By ADAM HOOKER SPECULATION is mounting over potential expansion in European rugby after the EPCR confirmed that their tournament for emerging...

France call for the new poster boy Barassi

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN New star? Pierre-Louis Barassi is hailed as the answer to France’s midfield problems France coach Jacques Brunel...

Gratton hat-trick maintains Village’s fine start

By CARL FIELD Welsh Division One round-up DAVID Gratton helped himself to a hat-trick as Rhydyfelin beat Rhiwbina 31-25 to continue...

Hallett holds his nerve to get Wass over line

By CARL FIELD Welsh Championship round-up THERE were dramatic scenes at the Gnoll where Bedwas snatched a late 16-14 win over...

Sharks left reeling by in-form Dow in defeat

By GEMMA MARSTON Wasps FC……………29 Darlington M…14 Top form: Abby Dow ENGLAND winger Abby Dow scored twice as Wasps secured a...

Boatman wears down Warriors with two tries

By MATT VERRI Richmond FC…35 Worcester……………8 ELLIE Boatman scored two tries as Richmond battled their way to an impressive victory over...

Brown stands out in Quins comeback

By DANIEL ALEXANDE Harlequins……………39pts Gloucester-H……………12pts All smiles: Leanne Riley celebrates scoring a try with Jess Breach, left, and Amy Cokayne CO-HEAD...

Libby unlocks Lightning with late try in epic

By ALINA MENUKHIN Loughboro’……………24 Saracens……………28 LIBBY Lockwood’s late try completed a remarkable comeback as reigning champions Saracens recovered from 17 points...