Ireland’s backs coach, Les Kiss, has backed lock Iain Henderson to have a standout World Cup partnering captain Paul O’Connell after the Ulster player beat out Devin Toner for a…
News
England v Fiji: Betting guide
England are heavy favourites to beat Fiji in Friday’s opening game of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham, so simply putting money on the hosts to win may not be…
England hope to avoid pitfalls of Rugby World Cup’s opening night
By Paul Eddison Stuart Lancaster will have been preparing for the opening game of the World Cup against Fiji since he was given the England job full-time back in 2012.…
Four Fiji players to watch in Rugby World Cup opener against England (videos)
By Stuart Clarke England are widely expected to get their Rugby World Cup campaign off to a flying start against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday, but don’t expect the visitors…
Key statistics for England v Fiji
The 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off with the hosts England taking on Fiji – a team the Red Rose has never lost to in five previous encounters. Previous meetings…
Could a divided camp threaten Italy’s World Cup chances?
By Paul Eddison Of all the injuries suffered in the build-up to this World Cup, it’s hard to find one more catastrophic to his team’s chances than that of Sergio…
Has Warren Gatland picked the right Wales team to face Uruguay?
By David Marsh Fit again Welsh stars Liam Williams and Samson Lee have been named in Wales’ starting XV to face Uruguay on Sunday. After Wales lost both Rhys Webb…
Which team has the most to lose at the Rugby World Cup?
By Will Macpherson This should be the greatest Rugby World Cup ever. There, I’ve said it. I’ve joined the hype brigade. Biggest, best, brashest, any which way you square it,…
Here come the (new) boys
Kriel, 21, played full-back for the Bulls in this year’s Super Rugby tournament, but switched to outside centre to make his Test debut against Australia on 18 July, and grabbed…
French team suffer culture shock as they set up base in Croydon
When the French rugby team were told they were to be based ‘just outside London’ for the Rugby World Cup, doubtless they imagined the castled decadence of Windsor or the…