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Saturday 10 June 2023 Dublin: 17°C

# RWC2019

All time
# early kill
Analysis: The incredible ruck-to-try ratio from the World Cup quarter-finals
Performance analyst Eoin Toolan examines the try-scoring trends from last weekend’s action.
# Review
O'Driscoll and Nacewa comments offer interesting theory on Ireland's exit
Both former players suggested that Leinster’s style of play had an impact on Ireland’s success.
# 10/12
England recall Ford at 10 for World Cup semi-final against All Blacks
Eddie Jones has gone back to the Ford-Farrell combination for Saturday’s clash.
# Focus
Hansen laughs off Jones' spying comments as 'a distraction and clickbait'
‘Eddie needs to work out what England are going to do about the pressure they’re under.’
# Change
Scott Barrett starts as All Blacks drop Sam Cane to the bench for semi-final
Steve Hansen has rejigged his back row for Saturday’s clash with England.
# Halfbacks
Analysis: Diminutive de Klerk and Davies making decisive defensive plays
The South Africa and Wales scrum-halves are small players but often make a big impact without the ball.
# Regrets
'They went back to the conservative approach' - Nacewa on Schmidt's Ireland
The former Leinster captain feels the belief was sapped from Joe Schmidt’s squad in 2019.
# Snooping
'Good luck to them' - England don't see any advantage in spying on training
Defence coach John Mitchell understands the pressure the All Blacks come under from home.
# In Demand
Joe Schmidt 'blown away' by offers to continue coaching
The outgoing Irish boss has admitted he will take time to consider his future.
# global season
Six Nations needs to 'think about the game rather than themselves' - Hansen
The All Blacks boss was disappointed World Rugby’s proposed Nations Championship was shot down.
# little genius
Wales wary of explosive Kolbe and Boks' 'blowtorch speed' out wide
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards also lauded the ongoing class of Alun Wyn Jones.
# honesty
'Rassie has made a massive difference' - How Erasmus turned the Boks around
The former Munster head coach has overseen South Africa’s transformation into World Cup contenders.
# stirring the pot
Jones claims England were spied on and calls Kiwi media 'fans with keyboards'
The England boss said all the pressure is on New Zealand ahead of Saturday’s World Cup semi-final.
# Emporer
Gatland aims for World Cup glory after Wales play 'get-out-of-jail card'
This World Cup is Gatland’s final campaign before heading home to New Zealand for a new job with the Chiefs.
# Referees
Peyper apologies for 'inappropriate' photo as Owens and Garcès get semi-finals
The South African referee was not considered for selection this weekend.
# lock out
'I just lost control' - Vahaamahina announces international retirement after World Cup dismissal
The France lock was sent off in the 49th minute of their quarter-final defeat to Wales yesterday.
# Moving On
The new Andy Farrell era will be fascinating, exciting and challenging
The 44-year-old Englishman takes over as Ireland head coach from Joe Schmidt.
# Best XV
Do you agree with our RWC quarter-final Team of the Weekend?
Onto the final four stage we go.
# Controversy
'Explanations will be necessary' - France upset over Jaco Peyper photo
The South African referee has come under fire for a photo shared on social media.
# Tough To Take
Blow for Gatland's Wales as Navidi ruled out of remainder of World Cup
The Cardiff Blues back row injured his hamstring in yesterday’s dramatic win over France.
# Hurt
Regrets and questions will gnaw at Schmidt after Ireland's World Cup exit
Andy Farrell is tasked with taking over and learning the lessons from Ireland’s failings in Japan.
# Emotional
'We're a team of guys who aren't superstars' - Japan bow out with pride
Jamie Joseph’s team have won over neutrals from around the rugby world.
# Feeling Bleu
France coach Brunel disappointed by contentious Welsh try
Ross Moriarty’s late score was awarded by the TMO as Wales advanced through to the semis.
# RWC2019
Poll: Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup now?
Two from the southern hemisphere and two from the north remain, but who will lift the Webb Ellis Cup on 2 November?
# Ground Down
Rassie's Springboks power into semi-finals to end Brave Blossoms' World Cup
The hosts couldn’t match the power and patience of the South Africans in Tokyo.
# lenient
'Beast' Mtawarira escapes with a yellow after dangerous tip tackle against Japan
The loosehead should consider himself lucky to return to the field after upending his opposite number.
# Last Four
Moriarty's late try seals World Cup semi-final berth for Gatland's Wales
Wales secured a tense, one-point win over 14-man France.
AS IT HAPPENED
Japan v South Africa, Rugby World Cup quarter-final
Could the hosts continue their magical campaign and book a place in the semi-finals? We followed all the action from Tokyo.
# Red mist
Watch: France's Vahaamahina sees red for mindlessly elbowing Wainwright
Les Bleus have to play the remainder of the quarter-final with 14 men.
# cheik out
'No relationship with the CEO,' says Michael Cheika as he steps down as Wallaby coach
The 52-year-old had stated he would walk away if Australia did not win the World Cup, but was reluctant to make his position clear yesterday.
AS IT HAPPENED
Wales v France, Rugby World Cup quarter-final
Ireland may be gone, but the World Cup carries on and we’re going minute-by-minute as Warren Gatland chases another semi-final.
# Deja Vu
Farrell's reign must see change after Ireland deliver 'D game' in Tokyo
The Englishman now takes over and the 2023 World Cup has to be the primary focus.
# Dire Start
Analysis: Ireland's abysmal opening quarter sets tone for All Blacks hammering
Needing to be cool and clinical, Ireland instead delivered their most un-Schmidt like showing.
# best man
Rory Best can bow out of rugby as one of Ireland's great captains
The hooker steps away after a quarter-final disappointment, but in his 124 caps he created so many reasons for Irish fans to hope and aim for better.
# Woe
Ireland's miserable record at Rugby World Cups rolls on in Tokyo
‘Maybe you put too much pressure on,’ said Ireland captain Rory Best after the latest defeat.
# Second best
Schmidt: 'This year hasn't been great, but Ireland are in a really good place'
The New Zealander also lamented the shorter turnaround the team had to manage between their final pool game and the quarter-final.
# Reaction
'When you're 17-0 down, you start chasing the game. It's not a good place to be against New Zealand'
James Ryan said the Irish dressing room was bitterly disappointed with their 32-point defeat to New Zealand.
# Farewell
Ireland 'gutted' to bid emotional Schmidt and Best farewell with World Cup defeat
Scrum coach Greg Feek also bows out after years of service to Irish rugby.
# Knowledge
'What is it they've experienced? Ireland's experience was not to win' - Hansen
The All Blacks boss pointed out that his team had experience of winning World Cup knock-out games.
# heartbroken
Schmidt: 'I'm a little bit broken... you carry your scars more than your successes'
The Ireland head coach’s six-year tenure came to an end with a crushing defeat to the All Blacks.