# World Cup

All time

# RIP

Italian World Cup winner Paolo Rossi dies aged 64

The 64-year-old was the star of the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

44.4k

Dec 10th 2020, 7:21 AM

# longevity

'Do I think I can get to the World Cup? I think I can' - Sexton keen to push on

The out-half will be 37 when the tournament in France rolls around.

16.6k

Dec 2nd 2020, 7:05 AM

# off form

Ireland fall 6 places in latest Fifa rankings, as World Cup seeding blow confirmed

As expected, Stephen Kenny’s side have been placed in Pot 3.

6.2k

Nov 27th 2020, 3:33 PM

# Preview

Crucial World Cup ranking points at stake, as Ireland aim to end barren run against Ryan Giggs-less Wales

Stephen Kenny’s side are also aiming a run of five games without a goal.

7.1k

Nov 15th 2020, 7:30 AM

# Qualifier

Uncertainty for Ireland Women as Rugby Europe suspends games

It’s unclear if the World Cup Qualifying competition in December will be affected.

6.2k

Oct 20th 2020, 10:57 AM

# Top Job

Joe Schmidt appointed World Rugby Director of Rugby and High Performance

The former Ireland head coach will begin his new role next month.

15.3k

Oct 8th 2020, 11:48 AM

# warning

World Cup bid chief warns Australian rugby could become ‘third-tier sport’

Executive bid director Phil Kearns feels the nation is in dire need of a chance to stage the global contest in 2027.

7.7k

Aug 5th 2020, 1:49 PM

# playmaker

Connacht's Jack Carty has the tools to break back into the Ireland mix

The 27-year-old out-half had his struggles post-World Cup but remains a classy operator.

26.2k

Updated

Aug 4th 2020, 8:03 PM

# looking ahead

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie: England are dangerous animal even without World Cup stars

The Irish side meet Eoin Morgan’s men in the first of three one-day internationals on Thursday at Southampton.

3.0k

Jul 29th 2020, 11:59 PM

# COYBIG

Quiz: Ireland at the 2002 World Cup

It’s 18 years to the day since Robbie Keane put the ball in the German net in Ibaraki.

40.6k

Updated

Jun 5th 2020, 10:28 PM

# Aiming high

Ireland show their hand and declare interest in hosting World Cup games

Cricket Ireland have submitted a bid to the ICC to co-host a global event in cricket’s 2023-31 calendar – meaning some World Cup games could be coming to these shores.

9.9k

May 17th 2020, 9:24 AM

# Super Rugby

World Cup-winning All Blacks wing Milner-Skudder signs for Highlanders

The 29-year-old’s move to Toulon fell through due to a shoulder injury.

6.1k

May 13th 2020, 7:52 AM

# Pastures new

Springboks' double World Cup winner to join Cheetahs

Francois Steyn will leave Montpellier this summer, it has been confirmed.

16.0k

Apr 12th 2020, 5:18 PM

# Probe

More FIFA bribe claims tabled in US court

The updated indictment in the US investigation into football corruption alleges multi-million dollar bribes for World Cup votes and broadcast rights.

13.1k

Apr 7th 2020, 7:57 AM

# Legend

South African World Cup winner to retire

Francois Louw is into his ninth season with Bath but has revealed this will be his final year at the Recreation Ground.

11.2k

Mar 12th 2020, 11:13 PM

# Regret

'At a time Joe needed support, I felt I'd done the opposite. It was never my intention'

Rory Best has expressed his regret about comments he made in the wake of Ireland’s World Cup exit.

34.7k

Mar 4th 2020, 8:02 AM

# Tough Times

Munster confirm Joey Carbery's season is over as he looks to recover fully

The 24-year-old’s campaign has been ruined by injuries.

28.6k

Mar 2nd 2020, 7:53 PM

# Powerhouse

World Cup red card behind him, Bundee Aki bringing form into the Six Nations

The 29-year-old teams up with Garry Ringrose in midfield for Saturday’s clash with Scotland.

7.1k

Jan 30th 2020, 6:30 AM

# Looking Forward

Jacob Stockdale determined not to be defined by a poor World Cup

The 23-year-old is excited to link with Jordan Larmour and Andrew Conway in Ireland’s back three.

5.3k

Jan 29th 2020, 6:30 AM

# world cup winner

'I love Munster, I invested so much of myself into the place, and I still do love it'

Felix Jones was part of the Springboks’ coaching team as they won the World Cup last year.

37.3k

Jan 20th 2020, 7:30 PM

# the ghost of Manzanar

Mystery skeleton found in California hills revealed as WW2 Japanese-American prisoner

Giichi Matsumura left a US internment camp in the final days of World War II.

29.3k

Jan 4th 2020, 7:25 PM

# rested

Munster's World Cup players to miss Leinster clash at Thomond Park

Johann van Graan’s squad will be tested in the next three Pro14 inter-pro derbies.

42.6k

Dec 16th 2019, 8:30 AM

# Number One

Ben Stokes wins the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

Stokes finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Dina Asher-Smith in the public vote.

10.3k

Dec 15th 2019, 10:13 PM

# Son of Dagestan

'Peter O'Mahony and Andrew Conway, they're good guys and rugby gentlemen'

Russia flanker Tagir Gadzhiev made a major impact at the World Cup in Japan.

24.0k

Dec 15th 2019, 7:00 AM

# Testify

Blatter insists he has a 'clear conscience' and that he's willing to testify about Qatar World Cup vote

Qatar beat Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States to win the vote. However, the result has been consistently questioned.

3.0k

Dec 11th 2019, 4:51 PM

# legacy

Joe Schmidt interview: planning to live without a plan... for now

Murray Kinsella sits down with the former Ireland head coach to reflect on the Rugby World Cup, his new book and much more.

27.2k

Nov 26th 2019, 5:30 PM

# book review

Schmidt's book offers insight into coaching values but has few World Cup answers

Ordinary Joe includes some poignant human passages.

22.0k

Nov 21st 2019, 9:30 PM

# number two

Scannell settled back in at Munster with Ireland's hooker spot up for grabs

The 27-year-old is keen to go to another World Cup with his country.

5.3k

Nov 21st 2019, 1:00 AM

# new boss

Murray excited by 'fresh' Farrell era after Ireland's World Cup failings

The Munster scrum-half is focused on enjoying his rugby again after the dejection in Japan.

20.7k

Nov 20th 2019, 12:00 PM

# Sidelined

Munster insist there's 'no frustration' at Carbery returning from World Cup injured

The 24-year-old is rehabbing an issue he carried throughout Ireland’s campaign in Japan.

8.7k

Nov 20th 2019, 1:00 AM

# Future

'Tides can turn' but Southgate has no plans to quit England ahead of 2022 World Cup

The manager has outlined his intention to remain in charge through Qatar, depending on how Euro 2020 goes.

2.9k

Nov 19th 2019, 9:44 AM

# New Campaign

Irish provinces aiming for high places as European season kicks-off

Connacht are back in with the big boys for the return of the Heineken Champions Cup.

7.3k

Nov 14th 2019, 8:00 PM

# Irish Abroad

'Felix has been amazing and has brought so much. The boys absolutely love him'

Irishman Felix Jones is a World Cup winner.

49.7k

Nov 4th 2019, 12:00 PM

# Arigatou

Sayonara, Japan! Curtain comes down on a memorable World Cup

The Brave Blossoms’ stunning exploits were a real highlight over the past seven weeks.

6.5k

Nov 4th 2019, 2:00 AM

# Top Honour

Boks clean sweep at World Rugby awards as du Toit wins Player of the Year

Rassie Erasmus was named Coach of the Year, while South Africa earned Team of the Year.

15.1k

Nov 3rd 2019, 2:17 PM

# resurgence

How Rassie Erasmus returned from Munster to lead the Boks to World Cup glory

The 47-year-old told his players they could lift the trophy 18 months ago.

14.2k

Nov 3rd 2019, 5:12 AM

# Beaten

Jones proud of England but says they'll be 'kicking stones for four years'

The England head coach was at a loss to explain how his side failed to back up their win against the All Blacks.

15.1k

Nov 2nd 2019, 6:45 PM

AS IT HAPPENED

England v South Africa, Rugby World Cup final

England are one game away from their second World Cup, South Africa are pushing for a third. Join us to see who gets their hands on the Webb Ellis.

64.2k

Nov 2nd 2019, 8:00 AM