# RWC2011

All time

# Whistle Happy

Craig Joubert to ref World Cup final - but under-fire Rolland lands role too

Irishman will be reserve referee this weekend after Saturday’s tough day at the office.

830

Oct 17th 2011, 10:59 AM

# Early Doors

The Morning Score: Monday

Sam Warburton, Jason McGuinness and Andy Murray all feature in our daily bite-sized edition bringing you all the sports news that’s hitting the headlines.

126

Oct 17th 2011, 9:30 AM

# Regret

Tuilagi feared his Mum's reaction after ferry jump

Manu Tuilagi says he is ‘disappointed’ with himself after hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons during the Rugby World Cup.

828

Oct 16th 2011, 2:40 PM

# Outburst

Lièvremont labels players 'spoilt brats' after night out

The French coach launched an astonishing tirade at his own players – a week before they face New Zealand in the RWC final.

1.2k

Oct 16th 2011, 12:34 PM

# One step away

Heart and soul see New Zealand through

Graham Henry pays tribute to his side’s “huge ticker, huge character and guts” after they booked their place in next Sunday’s World Cup final.

290

Oct 16th 2011, 12:03 PM

# Ban

Tackle sees Warburton suspended for three weeks

The Welsh back row admitted to a dangerous tackle on Vincent Clerc and will now miss his country’s game against Australia.

515

Oct 16th 2011, 10:56 AM

AS IT HAPPENED

New Zealand v Australia

There was no love lost as New Zealand met Australia for a place in the World Cup final. Here’s the minute-by-minute report.

1.7k

Oct 16th 2011, 8:46 AM

# Rivalry

Key considerations: Australia v New Zealand

There’s little to choose between the teams as New Zealand and Australia prepare for their semi-final showdown in Auckland.

791

Oct 15th 2011, 6:21 PM

# Tackle-gate

Spotlight on Rolland after he shows red to Warburton

Irishman Alain Rolland is the focus of all the talk following Wales’ one-point exit from the Rugby World Cup.

1.4k

Oct 15th 2011, 4:46 PM

# Hot Water

Six-month suspended ban for tweeting Samoan

Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu faces a significant playing ban unless he apologies for a tweet he wrote about Welsh referee Nigel Owens.

390

Oct 15th 2011, 2:15 PM

# Injury KO

Beale ruled out, Ashley-Cooper to start at 15

The Australian full-back has a hamstring strain and won’t be available to face the All Blacks on Sunday.

132

Oct 15th 2011, 12:15 PM

# Seeing Red

Gatland: "I feel personally let down"

Wales manager ‘gutted’ after controversial red card gives the French the upper hand in semi-final.

639

Oct 15th 2011, 11:45 AM

# Regrets

Shane Jennings’ World Cup diary: the final chapter

“There wasn’t much to say in the dressing room and in the team room afterwards. Deccie didn’t even say that much. What could you say?” Jenno checks in with the final installment of his World Cup diary.

643

Oct 15th 2011, 11:20 AM

AS IT HAPPENED

Wales v France

Ireland’s victors took on the mercurial Gauls in the first of the weekend’s semi-final clashes. We went minute-by-minute.

6.6k

Oct 15th 2011, 8:41 AM

# End of Story

Fergus McFadden's World Cup diary: Time to say goodbye

“These lads are model professionals who’ve helped to build a great rugby legacy in this country and this was their last chance. There’s just nothing you can say.”

1.2k

Oct 14th 2011, 4:49 PM

# Defence

'I am not a cheat,' insists Pocock

The flanker was criticised by John Smit for his performance in last Saturday’s game, as Australia edged out South Africa to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

411

Oct 14th 2011, 12:22 PM

# Chat

Semi-final countdown: the view from Wales

With the Welsh squad less than 48 hours away from the biggest game of their rugby lives, we turned to our man in the valleys for some pre-match guidance.

320

Oct 14th 2011, 12:15 PM

# RWC2011

WATCH: Rugby legends preview the World Cup semis

Carling, Brooke, Henderson and Quinnell look forward to this weekend’s action in Eden Park.

180

Oct 14th 2011, 11:56 AM

# Fitness Race

Deans waits as clock ticks on Beale's fitness

Kurtley Beale looks set to start for Australia after Robbie Deans provisionally named the full-back in his starting XV to face New Zealand.

Oct 14th 2011, 11:04 AM

# Viewing pleasure

Sofa supporter: the sport on TV this weekend

The Premier League continues, the Rugby World Cup approaches its climax and the Korean Grand Prix gets underway all in the next few days.

368

Oct 14th 2011, 10:58 AM

# decisions

McCaw and Dagg among starters to face Australia

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made a number of changes from the side that beat Argentina in last weekend’s quarter-final.

496

Oct 13th 2011, 8:14 PM

# Man in the Middle

Ref report card: Alain Rolland's Rugby World Cup (so far)

Yo, stats nerds. Come join us as we crunch the numbers on the Dubliner’s refereeing performances and look at what to expect from him in Saturday’s semi-final.

7.3k

Oct 13th 2011, 5:05 PM

# future plans

Quittin' time? Martin Johnson has seven days to decide on England future

The England boss has been given the opportunity to walk before an independent review panel decides his fate.

196

Oct 13th 2011, 2:03 PM

# Soundbite

You said what? 9 gems from the mouth of Marc Lièvremont

We’re hoping for a couple more of these pearlers in the run-up to Saturday’s semi-final.

930

Oct 13th 2011, 11:05 AM

# Game time

Priestland blow forces change on Gatland

Wales have made just one change to their starting XV ahead of Saturday’s World Cup semi against France.

227

Oct 13th 2011, 10:39 AM

# Knowledge

A Bluffer's Guide to... the Haka

It’s the enduring trademark of Southern Hemisphere rugby, but New Zealand’s pre-game war dance is about more than intimidation on a massive scale.

1.2k

Oct 13th 2011, 9:30 AM

# Stay or Go?

‘We’ll see what happens’: ROG keeps retirement cards close to his chest

Nobody has any idea if Ronan O’Gara is retiring from international rugby or not. Not even the man himself.

405

Oct 12th 2011, 11:45 AM

# check in

The Happy Camper: it's time to go home, Tosh

Cian the van is parked up for the last time and the lads file onto the flight home with plenty of other Irish. It’s been a wild ride.

687

Oct 12th 2011, 11:01 AM

# Homecoming

In pictures: Ireland's World Cup squad return home

Declan Kidney’s men were met by a crowd of fans as they disembarked at Dublin Airport.

2.8k

Oct 11th 2011, 6:16 PM

# Big Mo'

Bayonne offer half-price tickets for fans with Lièvremont 'taches

Because there ain’t no party like a moustache party. Apparently.

313

Oct 11th 2011, 2:55 PM

# Fitness Battle

Touch and go: Priestland a doubt for semi-final

All Blacks legend Colin Meads has praised Priestland and the Welsh side, tipping them to reach the final.

147

Oct 11th 2011, 2:51 PM

# Green army

The Happy Camper: home thoughts from abroad

As they point it towards the airport, our man in the van recalls the many Irish friends they’ve made along the road.

1.3k

Oct 11th 2011, 2:10 PM

# Confusion

Turns out De Villiers didn’t resign after all

The South Africa coach claims the speech he delivered following the Springboks’ quarter-final loss to Australia definitely wasn’t about his resignation. Whatever gave you that idea?

395

Oct 11th 2011, 12:49 PM

# Dilemma

Quade Cooper to start at full-back against the All Blacks?

Robbie Deans has hinted the mercurial utility back could be deployed as a replacement for the injured Kurtley Beale, while Berrick Barnes looks a possible starter at fly-half.

290

Oct 11th 2011, 12:00 PM

# Game on

France name unchanged line-up as Lievremont sticks to winning formula

In addition, Wales coach Shaun Edwards has rejected the suggestion that France lack consistency at the best of times.

179

Oct 11th 2011, 11:00 AM

# Stupidity

Making a splash: Tuilagi fined £3,000 after jumping off ferry

The Samoan-born centre was reportedly encouraged by his England teammates to make the dive following their World Cup exit.

470

Oct 10th 2011, 4:20 PM

# De-brief

Ireland's Rugby World Cup adventure: the post-mortem

They topped the group for the first time, beat a Tri-Nations side in the southern hemisphere and made a lot of friends. But was it a success?

1.1k

Oct 10th 2011, 4:14 PM

# Ch-Ch-Changes

Generation Next: Ireland's rugby retirements

With a handful of Ireland’s Golden Generation having now slipped the wrong side of 30, how many have the appetite for another year of competitive international rugby?

1.7k

Oct 10th 2011, 2:42 PM