World Cup

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has no doubt that South Africa will want to "rip our heads off" in Saturday's heavyweight World Cup semi-final clash at Twickenham.

Matt Giteau has gladly rewritten his plans of earning money on the speaking circuit to help Australia to the brink of claiming a spot in the World Cup final.

Heyneke Meyer has branded New Zealand the best side in rugby history - but still insisted South Africa can topple the defending champions in Saturday's World Cup semi-final.

Argentina have taken the Rugby World Cup by storm, thumping Ireland 43-20 to reach the semi-finals for the second time in eight years.

Marcos Ayerza is as reluctant to end his Argentina career after the World Cup as to start ribbing Leicester's England stars over their premature tournament exit.

New Zealand centre Conrad Smith has described World Cup semi-final opponents South Africa as the All Blacks' "ultimate rival” ahead of the two southern hemisphere sides’ clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

Will Greenwood has questioned Sir Clive Woodward’s absence from the panel constructed to investigate England's disastrous 2015 World Cup campaign and fears a repeat of the mistakes made during previous RFU reviews.

Finn Russell once looked up to Australia's star players as idols - but now he believes he and his Scotland team-mates can be considered every bit as good as sides like the Wallabies.

Argentina coach Pablo Bouza believes the Pumas would not have made the World Cup semi-finals had they joined the Six Nations as originally planned instead of the Rugby Championship.

South African referee Craig Joubert will not be involved in next weekend's World Cup semi-finals.

Argentina are holding out hope that captain Agustin Creevy can shake off a leg problem and be fit for Sunday's World Cup semi-final with Australia.

The quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup kicked off in glorious fashion on Saturday, as South Africa and Wales fought out an enthralling contest at Twickenham.

Ireland's World Cup inquest will start in earnest on Monday, and revolve around injuries, supposed inexperience and miscalculations.

Scotland are reeling from the injustice of being denied a place in the World Cup semi-finals by Craig Joubert after the South African referee awarded Australia an incorrect last-gasp penalty

Argentina dumped Ireland out of the World Cup for the third time as a 10-minute, two-try salvo floored Joe Schmidt's battered and shattered side at the Millennium Stadium.

Scotland forwards Ross Ford and Jonny Gray have had their three-week bans successfully repealed and are now cleared to face Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals.

France fly-half Frederic Michalak has announced his retirement from international rugby following the humiliating World Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

New Zealand scored nine tries to demolish France and record the biggest victory in World Cup quarter-final history.

Australia stars David Pocock and Israel Folau have both lost their fitness battles ahead of Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Scotland at Twickenham.

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has dismissed claims that the French dressing room has staged a ‘rebellion’ against coach Philippe Saint-Andre on the eve of their World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.