World Cup

Ireland expect to be "battered up front and pushed to the limit" by Italy in Sunday's crucial World Cup encounter at London's Olympic Stadium.

New Zealand moved into the World Cup quarter-finals by predictably beating Georgia in bonus-point fashion - but it was a performance laced with errors.

Fullback Rob Kearney and centre Jared Payne are both unavailable for Ireland's crucial World Cup clash with Italy on Sunday.

Graham Rowntree insists England will embrace the expectation of a nation when they attempt to save their World Cup by toppling Australia.

Scotland assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys insists Scotland are not gambling with their World Cup ambitions after rejecting claims they are putting out a second string line-up against South Africa.

Neil Jenkins believes the best is yet to come from Wales' World Cup playmaker and prolific marksman Dan Biggar.

Danny Cipriani has invited unwanted attention on to England on the eve of their critical clash with Australia by declaring that not a single Wallaby would be good enough to be selected in Stuart Lancaster's team.

Warren Gatland insists he will remain a neutral spectator this weekend - even if Australia hold Wales' immediate World Cup destiny in their hands against England at Twickenham.

France secured a crucial bonus point in the race to top Pool D as they beat a valiant Canada side 41-18 in front of a record crowd at Stadium MK.

Wales moved top of World Cup Pool A after claiming a third successive win that left host nation England one defeat away from elimination.

Fly-half Finn Russell will miss Scotland's potentially decisive World Cup clash with South Africa after failing to shake off an ankle knock.

England have named Jonathan Joseph at outside centre and demoted Sam Burgess to the bench for Saturday's decisive World Cup clash with Australia at Twickenham.

Tyler Morgan will make his World Cup debut against Fiji on Thursday, hoping that unlucky 13 does not strike again.

Australia have paired the double threat of Michael Hooper and David Pocock in a bid to blitz England at the breakdown in Saturday's crucial World Cup battle.

Fiji captain Akapusi Qera accepts that the absence of Nemani Nadolo is "a massive loss" for his team in Thursday's World Cup clash against Wales.

Two years ago I was in Australia playing and watching sport. I attended AFL training sessions and was at the MCG on Boxing Day for that world record crowd. Boy the Aussies love sport and are so competitive.

Jared Payne must prove his fitness on Thursday to be eligible for selection for Ireland's pivotal Rugby World Cup clash with Italy on Sunday.

Former Wales international Lee Byrne says they need to “take no chances” against Fiji or their sensational Pool A win over England won’t mean anything.

The second week of the Rugby World Cup has come and gone and plenty of players took the opportunities afforded them to press their claims RWC glory.

I honestly believe Jacques Burger is made of steel. His commitment to the cause on the rugby field is bone-crushingly staggering.