# World Cup

All time

# 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.

19.7k

Oct 23rd 2019, 12:09 PM

# 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.

3.7k

Oct 22nd 2019, 1:30 PM

# 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.

9.4k

Oct 22nd 2019, 9:14 AM

# 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.

28.3k

Oct 22nd 2019, 8:00 AM

# Rugby Weekly

Schmidt found Ireland's performance hard to explain as his team fell at a familiar hurdle

Joe Schmidt admitted after the game that it was hard to find a reason for Ireland not performing against New Zealand, and Rory Best spoke about the pressure associated with a World Cup quarter-final.

9.0k

Oct 21st 2019, 3:03 PM

# 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.

53.8k

Oct 21st 2019, 12:06 PM

# 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.

45.8k

Updated

Oct 21st 2019, 8:27 AM

# 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.

17.7k

Oct 20th 2019, 2:08 PM

# 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.

14.4k

Oct 20th 2019, 1:20 PM

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.

69.7k

Oct 20th 2019, 10:15 AM

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.

41.7k

Oct 20th 2019, 7:15 AM

# 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.

41.6k

103

Oct 20th 2019, 7:05 AM

# 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.

40.3k

101

Oct 19th 2019, 9:35 PM

# 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.

35.0k

Oct 19th 2019, 4:00 PM

# Exit strategy

Cheika requests 'compassion' as he objects to question over his future

The Wallabies boss said he did not appreciate the topic of his future being raised so soon after the World Cup exit.

5.7k

Oct 19th 2019, 2:47 PM

# Wizard of Oz

Jones insists England can get even better after impressive victory over Australia

The head coach says he’s like to face the All Blacks in the last four.

3.9k

Oct 19th 2019, 11:44 AM

# End of the road

Distraught Cheika says Wallabies 'gave it everything'

After Australia lost their Rugby World Cup quarter-final to England, the former Leinster boss struggled to contain his disappointment.

5.3k

Oct 19th 2019, 11:27 AM

AS IT HAPPENED

New Zealand v Ireland, Rugby World Cup quarter-final

The All Blacks stood between Ireland and a first-ever appearance in the RWC semi-final…

120k

220

Oct 19th 2019, 10:00 AM

# Preview

All Blacks stand in the way as Ireland target first-ever World Cup semi-final

‘There’s nothing we can do about the previous results,’ said Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton.

23.7k

Updated

Oct 19th 2019, 8:20 AM

AS IT HAPPENED

England v Australia, Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika pit their wits together with a place in the semi-final on the line.

54.8k

Oct 19th 2019, 7:15 AM

# belief

Sexton: 'We've been reared on knock-out rugby... we should use our experiences'

The Ireland out-half travelled to Tokyo Stadium without his team-mates today.

24.1k

Oct 18th 2019, 3:00 PM

# Warrior code

It's do or die as Eddie Jones turns up heat ahead of England-Australia 'samurai' clash

The England chief is braced for the quarter-final meeting with rivals Australia in Oita.

6.0k

Oct 18th 2019, 9:13 AM

# Influence

The All Blacks have always loomed large for Kiwi native Joe Schmidt

The Ireland head coach and Steve Hansen have had some great battles since 2013.

18.5k

Updated

Oct 18th 2019, 8:46 AM

# belief

'It shows you that they're human' - Chicago changed everything for Ireland

Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray underlined the confidence within Joe Schmidt’s squad.

4.3k

Oct 18th 2019, 1:05 AM

# Details

Analysis: How can Ireland go about beating the All Blacks in Tokyo?

It will be fascinating to see how Joe Schmidt’s team go about attacking Richie Mo’unga off lineouts.

37.8k

Oct 17th 2019, 8:00 PM

# cohesion

Henshaw and Ringrose the more tested midfield combo against All Blacks

The All Blacks have plenty of experience but some relatively new combinations.

8.9k

Oct 17th 2019, 1:04 PM

# chilled out

'My wife thought I was going to have a heart attack with the state I was' - Earls

The Ireland wing is more relaxed than ever about a World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.

13.2k

Oct 17th 2019, 1:00 AM

# Legend

Japan inspired to honour 'Mr Rugby' against South Africa

Seiji Hirao passed away three years ago on Sunday having established himself as one of the country’s most important figures in the sport.

10.1k

Oct 16th 2019, 6:14 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

# 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

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

# 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

# Dominant

Aki red the only blot as Ireland secure World Cup quarter-final with big win over Samoa

Joe Schmidt’s men were back somewhere close to their best in a seven-try victory in Fukuoka.

46.6k

Oct 12th 2019, 1:45 PM

AS IT HAPPENED

Ireland v Samoa, Rugby World Cup

Typhoon in Japan, but Ireland’s final pool match is going ahead in Fukuoka and we’ll bring you minute-by-minute updates as Schmidt’s men chase a bonus point.

101k

120

Oct 12th 2019, 10:49 AM