World Cup

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.

The shockwaves of Japan’s 34-32 victory over South Africa on Saturday are still reverberating around the rugby world.

Wales boss Warren Gatland looks set to summon further World Cup reinforcements this week after being hit by fresh injury problems.

Scrum-half Will Genia will make his first Test start for two months when Australia open their World Cup campaign against Fiji in Cardiff on Wednesday.

Ireland got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a dominant, eight-try display in Cardiff that saw them run rampant over Canada, 50-7.

A final-quarter surge saw New Zealand open their World Cup defence with a 26-16 victory over an impressive Argentina at Wembley.

Samoa narrowly edged out the USA in their World Cup Pool B opener to begin the tournament with a 25-16 victory in Brighton.

Japan stunned South Africa with a 34-32 win at Brighton in World Cup Pool B on Saturday.