# RWC2019

All time

# fit and fresh

Ireland looking for blend of experience and form in team to face All Blacks

Joe Schmidt has some important decisions to confirm tomorrow.

24.7k

Oct 16th 2019, 5:00 PM

# late arrival

Herring set to join Ireland's World Cup squad as Cronin suffers injury

The Ulster hooker has won eight caps in this Test career so far.

36.0k

Oct 16th 2019, 3:00 PM

# Home Straight

Wales want 'incredible' Gatland to end on a World Cup high

Defeat on Sunday would spell the end of the New Zealander’s 12-year reign.

5.6k

Oct 16th 2019, 12:30 PM

# Confidence

Joe Schmidt has transformed Ireland's approach to facing the All Blacks

‘I think it provokes excitement, it provokes a little bit of anxiety.’

32.5k

Oct 16th 2019, 8:45 AM

# Leader

O'Mahony primed for the 'biggest' game of his career against All Blacks

The Munster man will play in his first World Cup knock-out game on Saturday.

11.6k

Oct 16th 2019, 7:30 AM

# Familiar Foes

Schmidt v Hansen: The decisive bout in a memorable rivarly

This weekend’s World Cup quarter-final between Ireland and New Zealand will be the fifth, and potentially final meeting between two of rugby’s most successful head coaches.

8.3k

Oct 16th 2019, 6:44 AM

# Dispute

Scottish Rugby Union hopes for a 'fair hearing' after misconduct charge

The SRU has questioned whether it is ‘appropriate’ for World Rugby to charge them.

8.0k

Oct 16th 2019, 6:35 AM

# Punishment

Tonga hooker handed seven-week ban for incident in win over USA

Agen will be without Paula Ngauamo for a substantial period after he kicked an opponent in the face.

10.0k

Oct 15th 2019, 6:11 PM

# edgy

All Blacks don't feel defeats to Ireland are relevant to World Cup quarter-final

Attack coach Ian Foster wasn’t interested in discussing Andy Farrell’s defensive success against the Kiwis.

12.7k

Oct 15th 2019, 1:15 PM

# cleared

World Rugby refutes allegations made against Ireland in Sunday Times

World Rugby COO Alan Gilpin confirmed no discussion took place with the IRFU regarding Japan’s pool fixture against Scotland.

43.8k

Oct 15th 2019, 12:54 PM

# Fronting Up

Healy: 'It's a do or die game'

Cian Healy says that Ireland are relishing the opportunity of taking on reigning World Cup champions New Zealand in their quarter-final on Saturday.

8.7k

Oct 15th 2019, 11:43 AM

# appeal

Ireland waiting to make decision on appealing Aki's three-game ban

The Connacht man’s World Cup is over unless Ireland launch a successful appeal.

26.3k

Updated

Oct 15th 2019, 9:51 AM

# legal threats

World Rugby refers Scottish Rugby Union to independent disputes committee

The Scots threatened legal action against the game’s governing body last week.

21.4k

Oct 15th 2019, 7:06 AM

# Match Officials

Nigel Owens appointed to referee Ireland's clash with the All Blacks

Angus Gardner and Pascal Guazere will be on the sidelines for the clash in Tokyo.

17.1k

Oct 15th 2019, 5:13 AM

# fond memories

Ireland's Sexton and Hammond recall visit to Japan as 16-year-olds

St Mary’s College visited Japan in 2002 for a schools rugby competition.

16.4k

Oct 15th 2019, 2:00 AM

# Level Heads

'Guys were very emotional at the last World Cup after winning a pool game'

Ireland believe they’re mentally in a better place to make history against the All Blacks on Saturday.

12.8k

Oct 15th 2019, 1:20 AM

# Mind Games

All Blacks claim they got the quarter-final they wanted after avoiding Japan

Steve Hansen said he was keen to steer clear of the in-form hosts, who topped Pool A.

12.6k

Oct 15th 2019, 1:00 AM

# The42 Rugby Weekly

'Joe Schmidt will have an array of plays ready for this New Zealand defence'

Murray Kinsella and Eoin Toolan look ahead to Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against the All Blacks.

29.1k

Oct 14th 2019, 5:54 PM

# Breaking

Bundee Aki's World Cup is over after being handed a three-match ban

The Connacht man was red-carded for a high tackle against Samoa on Saturday.

65.7k

150

Oct 14th 2019, 3:12 PM

# RWC2019

Japan hit world rankings high ahead of Springboks showdown

The Brave Blossoms jump ahead of France into seventh.

15.8k

Oct 14th 2019, 10:52 AM

# Mind Games

Hansen: 'Joe does a lot of studies... I might be able to set him up'

The All Blacks head coach is hoping to lure Schmidt into a few traps on Saturday.

21.7k

Oct 14th 2019, 7:58 AM

# Burden of History

'The difference now is we're not favourites going into this quarter-final'

Ireland have never won a World Cup knock-out game but Joe Schmidt’s men are quietly confident.

15.2k

Oct 14th 2019, 5:33 AM

# brave blossoms

'We're grateful for the opportunity to inspire Japan and we showed that'

Japan aren’t finished in this World Cup yet after setting up a quarter-final with the Springboks.

4.9k

Oct 14th 2019, 5:32 AM

# Leader

Sexton bemused by criticism of Ireland as Schmidt's side gear up for All Blacks

The 34-year-old out-half says the Kiwis are accustomed to dealing with the pressure of being favourites.

33.0k

Oct 14th 2019, 2:33 AM

# A Rugby Life

'Some of the generals wanted me executed and that sort of craic'

Willie Anderson’s career took him to places far more frightening than the teeth of an All Black haka.

42.2k

Oct 13th 2019, 8:00 PM

# Joy to Watch

Brave Blossoms' attacking style thrills the World Cup on home soil

Jamie Joseph’s men have been the story of this tournament and delivered on a special night in Yokohama.

13.0k

Oct 13th 2019, 3:38 PM

# RWC2019

Brilliant Blossoms scorch into RWC clash with South Africa

The host nation secured a bonus point early in the second half and withstood a Scottish comeback effort.

23.2k

Oct 13th 2019, 2:11 PM

# doubting thomas

France head coach Brunel defends decision to send Ramos home

Despite having his World Cup cut short by injury, the fullback played all 80 minutes for Toulouse yesterday.

30.3k

Oct 13th 2019, 1:53 PM

# Showdown

Ireland to face favourites New Zealand in Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

Joe Schmidt’s side will take on the number one team in the world in Tokyo next Saturday.

80.4k

160

Oct 13th 2019, 1:41 PM

# gats enough

Wales make heavy weather of it, but beat Uruguay to set up quarter-final clash with France

Warren Gatland’s men were on a four-day turnaround and struggled to put the South Americans away.

14.9k

Oct 13th 2019, 11:08 AM

AS IT HAPPENED

Japan v Scotland, Rugby World Cup

This match will determine who Ireland are to face in the quarter-finals, so we’re going minute-by-minute.

115k

Oct 13th 2019, 10:50 AM

# RWC2019

IRFU refute 'scurrilous allegation' that they were opposed to rearranging Japan v Scotland match

The union have hit back at a report in the Sunday Times.

54.7k

Oct 13th 2019, 10:09 AM

# Pool C

Te'o double not enough for USA against Tonga

AJ MacGinty’s side ran in three tries, but weren’t able to register a point in Pool C.

13.1k

Oct 13th 2019, 9:08 AM

# CONFIRMED

Game ON! Scotland's clash with Japan given the go-ahead in Yokohama

We have a game.

37.0k

Updated

Oct 13th 2019, 7:00 AM

# SAFE AS HOUSES

Rock-solid Stander is as important and immovable as ever

After another dominant performance against Samoa, Stander is primed to play a key role for Ireland in the quarter-finals.

8.7k

Oct 13th 2019, 6:00 AM

# Try Machine

'They don't come around too often for me, so I'll make sure I gloat' - Furlong

The Ireland tighthead now has two tries in three World Cup starts in Japan.

13.1k

Oct 13th 2019, 5:50 AM

# red card

Ireland flying in solicitor to represent Aki at disciplinary hearing in Tokyo

The inside centre was red-carded in last night’s win over Samoa in Fukuoka.

24.2k

Oct 13th 2019, 3:25 AM

# healthy

Schmidt happy Ireland head into QF 'unscathed' after 2015 toll against France

Bundee Aki’s red card was a blow but Schmidt feels Ireland have good cover in the midfield.

17.5k

Oct 12th 2019, 8:00 PM

# Kiwis or Boks

'The All Blacks know we can come and play and that we can beat them'

Ireland must now wait to learn if they will face the Kiwis or the Springboks next weekend.

15.4k

Oct 12th 2019, 6:17 PM

# CONFIDENCE RESTORED

Carbery: We can overcome anything, we've done it before

Joey Carbery says that Ireland’s confidence hasn’t been dented despite some underwhelming performances during the pool stage in Japan

7.9k

Oct 12th 2019, 5:44 PM