Kiwi trio key to Irish hopes, says Conor Murray
Conor Murray believes New Zealand's loss is Ireland’s gain as "world-class" trio Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe bid to give their native country serious cause for regret.
Samoa Sport News
England set to drop Ford, start Smith at fullback in Fiji quarter-final
MARSEILLE, France : England coach Steve Borthwick looks set to make radical changes for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji by dropping George Ford and starting Marcus Smith at fullback, strengthening his midfield defence and injecting some energy into the attack.
We will be different team against Fiji, says England's George
MARSEILLE, France : England's performance against Samoa was inexcusable but they will be all the better for it in Sunday's quarter-final against Fiji and the experience in the squad will be invaluable, hooker Jamie George said on Wednesday.
Superfan Borthwick unlikely to ditch Farrell for England-Fiji clash
MARSEILLE, France : Anyone wondering if England's Steve Borthwick might think the answer to their attacking woes against Samoa is to drop Owen Farrell for this weekend's quarter-final with Fiji should note the coach's assessment of his captain after Saturday's game.
World Rugby aiming for 'genuinely competitive World Cup' in 2031
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont has hailed the first month's World Cup action in France and promised the sport's lesser nations would get more chances "to be competitive on the world stage" amid widespread frustration from players and coaches. However, anyone expecting a levelling up to come to fruition in time for the next tournament in Australia in 2027 might be disappointed as Beaumont spoke of a "genuinely competitive World Cup" four years after that.
We'll close the gap with smaller nations by 2031 says World Rugby chief
LILLE, France : World Rugby head Bill Beaumont has hailed the first month's World Cup action in France and promised the sport’s lesser nations would get more chances “to be competitive on the world stage” amid widespread frustration from players and coaches.
Wayne Barnes to referee Ireland-New Zealand quarter-final
England's Wayne Barnes has been named as referee for Ireland's World Cup quarter-final with New Zealand in the Stade de France on Saturday evening.
France-based Arundell can play in Six Nations, but not Willis: RFU
MARSEILLE, France : Henry Arundell will be available to play for England in next year's Six Nations, despite joining French club Racing 92, due to the 'special circumstances' rule following the demise of his former club London Irish, RFU CEO Bill Sweeney has confirmed.