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…
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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…
Fitzgerald starts in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup opener following Henshaw injury
Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw has failed in his battle for fitness ahead of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup opener against Canada resulting in Luke Fitzgerald starting at No 12. Henshaw injured…
Rugby World Cup referees set to crack down on diving and faking
The Rugby World Cup match officials committee has told referees to crack down on diving and players faking injuries as the sport tries to move away from what it describes as…
Golden Oldies: Who makes our Rugby World Cup oldest XV?
By Stuart Clarke With age comes experience, as the saying goes, and for many of the players aged over 30 at this year’s Rugby World Cup there are no shortage…