Players just have to go far lower

HOPEFULLY the powers-that-be will not stint on making tackling safer. I’d be happier if everyone acknowledged that the point of contact...

Refs’ inconsistency is so consistent

MANY decades ago one of the silkiest and smooth soul singers asked a key question ‘What’s going on’…With all nations having...

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How Wasps coach Craig made stars of Uruguay

By JON NEWCOMBE Team builder: Craig White oversaw Uruguays’s famous win over Fiji URUGUAY’S stunning 30-27 victory over Fiji on Wednesday...

Key injuries mean Scots must change their approach

AS THEWorld Cup enters its second full week the stakes are getting higher and the tension mounting. Referees are also under...

Canada need to evoke the 1991 spirit of Vimy Ridge

Enforcer: Norm Hadley CANADA tackle New Zealand on Wednesday and whenever the Canuks meet the All Blacks, which isn’t very often,...

Italy’s hope is in speed of the back row

Brendan Gallagher looks at the challenge facing Italy and fancies they have an outside chance Key men: Italy hopes rest with...

Brady sacks off his video support for Boks

TOM BRADY is an American icon, a New England Patriot with an unprecedented six Super Bowls to his name and a...

World Cup officials are operating with eyes wide shut

ON THE eve of their quadrennial big bash, World Rugby banged the drum on behalf of their referees, assistant referees, TMOs...

Class act as Diana remembers the fallen

Emotional: Manuel Diana scores for Uruguay PICTURE: Getty Images PETER JACKSON Nobody following the World Cup beyond the banks of the...

Stevens’ snipe shakes sluggish Italy into gear

ITALY launch their campaign with a win in Higashiosaka, but they didn’t have it all their own way with Damian Stevens...

Polledri power puts the Azzurri on front foot

JAKE Polledri led the charge as Italy scored seven tries to secure a bonuspoint win against Canada. Forwards Braam Steyn and...

Double injury blow adds to Scotland’s misery

By GEORGE LAWRENCE Bringing home the bonus: Ireland wing Andrew Conway scores the fourth Ireland try PICTURE: Getty Images IRELAND dominated...

Samoa here to create a legacy says captain Vui

By SAM JACKSON SAMOA came through their clash with Russia despite being reduced to 13 players for a period in the...

This Wales side have got Cheika worried

SHANE WILLIAMS Crucial area: Justin Tipuric must win the battle with Michael Hooper and David Pocock PICTURE: Getty Images ILIKE where...

Sorry everyone, I’m supporting Australia says Welshman Rees

FOR TONY Rees a World Cup meeting between Wales and Australia in Japan was never going to be one to miss...

Lydiate: This squad’s stronger than 2011

By STEFFAN THOMAS DAN Lydiate has warned Wales to beware a dangerous Australia outfit but believes they have enough in the...

Foley’s back to give Gatland a kicking

By ALEX BYWATER Playmaker: Bernard Foley in action against Samoa PICTURE: Getty Images PREVIEW… Wales v Australia Today. Kick-off 8.45am, Tokyo...

Going large: the heaviest starting XV in history?

THERE was much conjecture that the Tonga pack against England last week, which tipped the scales at 985kg – an average...

Gallant captains charm the masses with tears and smiles

IN the world of cycling there is a rather splendid tradition that a rider who demonstrates outstanding panache or sportsmanship or...

Uruguay win reminds us of rugby’s true spirit

RUGBY MATTERS Leading the way: Santiago Arata breaks through to score Uruguay’s first try PICTURE: Getty Images My God, that wonderful...

Uruguay close on qualification for RWC France

By ADAM ELLIS FIJI’S World Cup appears to be as good as over after the Pacific Island nation was stunned by...

Wales ease off the gas after first half blitz

By SAM JACKSON Last act: George North carries Georgia full-back Soso Matiashvili over the line to score the sixth try PICTURE:...

Mulvihill backs Gat to sack Wallabies

By STEFFAN THOMAS CARDIFF Blues head coach John Mulvihill believes the weather conditions in Japan will suit Wales and is confident...

Tuilagi takes centre stage but England labour to late bonus

By NICK CAIN Galloping in: Luke Cowan-Dickie scores England’s fourth try PICTURE: Getty Images THE telling yardstick in this England win...

Jones: Farrell’s missing half his nose!

ENGLAND coach Eddie Jones said: “The conditions were such it was like a wet weather game but we found our rhythm...

Red Rose budding for Pumas showdown

■By NICK CAIN Crunch: Owen Farrell is hit by John Quill Strong finish: Joe Cokanasiga powers over for England’s seventh try...

Brutal training sets up Wales

■ From ALEX BYWATER SHAUN Edwards issued Wales with a World Cup battle cry and told Warren Gatland’s players they will...

World Cup party time as Japan stun Irish

■ From ADAM HATHAWAY Few beers: Jamie Joseph says Japan’s belief is high JAPAN dazzled the World Cup for the second...

Dragons ready for lift up with Sam Davies at the controls

How are the four Welsh regions shaping up ahead of the start of the PRO14 season this weekend?

World Cup winner Woodman can’t wait to see Mako Vunipola back

Woodman also says England can take inspiration from their core of Saracens players

Wasps appoint first female matchday announcer for upcoming clash

Verity Brown will take up microphone duties in lieu of long-term announcer Pete Nuttall's temporary absence

Te’o exit will make Worcester more cohesive says Ryan Mills

Mills was in great form for Worcester last season and says the Warriors backline can function even better with Te'o not...

Gallagher column: Tonga and Samoa should have a base in Auckland

Brendan Gallagher's focusses on the lineage of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji's squads, most of whom are based in New Zealand and...

Leicester Tigers send head of recruitment shopping for players in Australia

Tigers already have an eye on the 2020-21 season and are targeting some Wallabies

Line-out king Stephan Lewies set to give Harlequins tactical edge

The South African talks to TRP after his arrival at The Stoop this summer

Cain column: Japan gets its sense of proportion just right

Nick Cain looks at how Japan is embracing its role as host nation of the World Cup in its own unique...

Saracens can be history makers, says Alex Goode

Alex Goode signed a three-year extension at the Premiership and European champions

Jackson column: Phil Davies is admired as a glutton for punishment

Peter Jackson journeys back to 1987 when Wales and Phil Davies met the All Blacks

Exeter Chiefs won’t be the last club to establish women’s team

Premiership side Sale Sharks and Championship favourites Newcastle Falcons are also looking to form a team for the Premier 15s

Robinson: England can win the trophy and Tom Curry will be key

"Eddie has a squad that have learned from 2015 and now they're ready to deliver" - Robinson

Guscott column: Smart All Blacks kick the Springboks into disarray

Jeremy Guscott pinpoints the kicking game as an area where Steve Hansen outsmarted Rassie Erasmus

Refereeing levels have been sub-standard, World Rugby admits

There have been a number of controversial decisions made so far at the World Cup

England make ten changes for USA as Slade misses out

Henry Slade's knee injury leaves England threadbare for cover at fly-half

Williams column: Expect a reaction from Wales after Rob Howley’s departure

Shane Williams backs Jonathan Davies to provide a big impact for Wales in their World Cup opener with Georgia

Probyn column: Eddie Jones will find Tonga give focus to his men

There is a huge gulf in resource between Tonga and England

Hosts plot Scottish slaying

BLAIR Cowan fears his old Scotland team-mates are being lured into a Japanese World Cup trap, claiming the hosts have manipulated...

Townsend 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...

Stay 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...

Neil has a break

JAPAN provides a unique cultural and gastronomic experience – so Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins took matters into his own hands...