World Cup

Welcome to a new regular feature at Talking Rugby Union where will take a look back at the good, the bad and the funny of the Rugby World Cup over the past week.

Former Scottish international Gavin Hastings predicts that Scotland will progress from Pool B to set up a Rugby World Cup 2015 quarter-final with old rivals England.

Sam Burgess and Brad Barritt look set to be named as England's centre combination for Saturday's vital World Cup clash with Wales at Twickenham with George Ford making way for Owen Farrell, if Jonathan Joseph is ruled out by injury.

With all due respect to Fiji and Uruguay, who both proved over the weekend to be difficult and combative opponents worthy of the admiration of the Tier 1 nations, for England and Wales the real challenge of the World Cup’s Pool A begins Saturday night at Twickenham

Australia head coach Michael Cheika says that rocket science was not required in his decision to start both of the Wallabies' brilliant openside flankers against World Cup opponents Fiji.

Flanker Sam Cane will captain New Zealand for the first time in Thursday's World Cup clash against minnows Namibia.

England have revealed that centre Jonathan Joseph is a doubt for England's key World Cup clash with Wales on Saturday due to a chest injury.

Joe Launchbury has pointed to England's success in Cardiff earlier this year as the reason why he is paying little attention to Wales' injury problems ahead of the pivotal World Cup clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

World Cup chiefs have attempted to clarify the role of television match officials following the controversial use of replays during the tournament's opening weekend.

Welcome to the first Rugby World Cup XV of the Week and though the tournament has been underway for a just a few short days, there have been no shortage of exceptional performances.

Japanese captain Michael Leitch has warned Scotland that the Brave Blossoms have no intention of being World Cup one-hit wonders.

Hooker Scott Baldwin has delivered an upbeat message as Wales, 2011 World Cup semi-finalists, prepare for a Twickenham showdown with England.

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell has admitted his dreams have come true after being picked to face Japan on Wednesday.

Wales' World Cup squad arrived in London on Monday ahead of a crunch clash against host nation England - but not before they lost another player through injury.

Rob Kearney is "more than happy" to chase peak match sharpness and start Ireland's World Cup clash against Romania at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Sam Burgess has declared himself ready to start for England if needed for Saturday's pivotal World Cup clash with Wales at Twickenham.

The Rugby World Cup is now officially underway, and there have already been several barn-storming contests which have made the sporting universe sit up and take notice

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter will put out a near first-choice line-up as he looks to avoid becoming the second side to slip up against World Cup shock troops Japan.

Japan have moved above their next World Cup opponents Scotland in rugby union's official world rankings.

Samoa are bracing themselves for a South African backlash when the teams square up at Villa Park at the weekend.