5 talking points as Wales face Argentina for a Rugby World Cup semi-final spot Wales have lost only two of their 11 Tests against the Pumas. The Independent UK · Oct 13, 2023
South Africa spring half-back surprise for crunch France quarter-final The Springboks have handed Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach starts with Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard on the bench The Independent UK · Oct 13, 2023
Premiership gains stardust of Russell and Mercer after pain of last season A low-key start with World Cup absentees but big signings and Leicester’s likely challenge of Saracens offers fresh intrigue The Guardian - UK · Oct 13, 2023
Sandpaper saga in the past as Bancroft eyes Test return Cameron Bancroft has been the king of Sheffield Shield ranks over the past year, and he hopes the hot form will lead to an Australian Test recall. AAP · Oct 13, 2023
Ireland and All Blacks thrust into new roles for blockbuster quarter-final The power dynamics have shifted in the Ireland-New Zealand rivalry ahead of their Rugby World Cup knockout clash but an Irish hoodoo remains The Independent UK · Oct 13, 2023
Ireland’s embrace of Zombie song at Rugby World Cup stirs debate over lyrics Fans seen singing the Cranberries’ hit in stadiums but some Irish republicans are unhappy at revival The Guardian - UK · Oct 13, 2023
Inspired allrounder Edwards credits Watson for success NSW's new coaching adviser Shane Watson has made an impression on allrounder Jack Edwards, who has begun the domestic summer in sparkling form. AAP · Oct 13, 2023
Garry Ringrose determined to break new ground with Ireland at Rugby World Cup Three-time champions New Zealand stand in the way of rugby’s top-ranked nation. The Independent UK · Oct 13, 2023
All Blacks drop Mark Telea against Ireland for disciplinary issue The wing was kept out of the quarter-final lineup due to breaching team protocol while Ireland’s captain believed the atmosphere would benefit both teams The Guardian - UK · Oct 12, 2023
Arnold bemoans Australia’s lack of funding despite World Cup success Graham Arnold has sided with Ange Postecoglou in delivering a damning verdict on the lack of funding for football in Australia ahead of their friendly with England The Guardian - UK · Oct 12, 2023
All Blacks drop key man for disciplinary breach as team to face Ireland revealed New Zealand take on Ireland in Paris on Saturday evening and head coach Ian Foster has made a big selection call The Independent UK · Oct 12, 2023
Green wave of Ireland fans turning Paris into home away from home Irish supporters have already arrived with tens of thousands expected to create a stirring atmosphere in seismic quarter-final with All Blacks The Guardian - UK · Oct 12, 2023
Jamie George promises ‘very different’ England side against Fiji with World Cup confidence unshaken Saracens hooker is sure that Steve Borthwick’s side will bounce back from dismal Samoa showing in quarter-finals Evening Standard · Oct 12, 2023
Wales vs Argentina: Warren Gatland tells Rugby World Cup rivals to stop ‘complaining’ about lopsided draw The four top-ranked nations in the world are all on the same side of the draw for this weekend’s quarter-finals. Evening Standard · Oct 12, 2023
The Independent UK · Oct 12, 2023 Warren Gatland hits out at critics of lopsided Rugby World Cup draw: ‘Deal with it’ Gatland believes that too much has been made about a loaded top half of the draw
The Independent UK · Oct 12, 2023 Warren Gatland: Wales aren’t ready to go home yet and will embrace pressure Victory over the Pumas in Marseille would see Wales reach a third World Cup semi-final under Gatland.
Evening Standard · Oct 12, 2023 Levani Botia: Fiji’s former prison officer hoping to put England on Rugby World Cup lockdown La Rochelle’s ‘Demolition Man’ and Fijian cult hero will punish any sluggish breakdown work in Sunday’s quarter-final battle in Marseille
The Guardian - UK · Oct 12, 2023 Erasmus drafts World Cup narrative with the flair of a French novelist South Africa’s director of rugby has made more headlines but against France on Sunday the players will pen the tale
Evening Standard · Oct 12, 2023 Ireland vs New Zealand: Andy Farrell’s laid-back camp brings out the best in Mack Hansen Connacht wing’s unusual Farrell tattoo indicative of a camp feeling comfortable in pursuit of Rugby World Cup glory
Evening Standard · Oct 12, 2023 England vs Fiji: Marcus Smith at full-back would be Steve Borthwick’s boldest selection gamble Brave decision could revitalise a stalled attack in Rugby World Cup quarter-final, but it is certainly not without risk
AAP · Oct 12, 2023 Diamonds shrug off pay dispute to beat NZ in Cup opener The Diamonds have beaten New Zealand 50-40 to take a 1-0 lead in the Constellation Cup, shrugging off a build-up dominated by the Super Netball pay dispute.
Evening Standard · Oct 12, 2023 England ready to gamble on Marcus Smith for Rugby World Cup showdown with Fiji Harlequins star is set for just his second full-back start in quarter-final, with Owen Farrell expected to move to fly-half at the expense of George Ford
The Independent UK · Oct 12, 2023 Conor Murray says New Zealand-born trio ‘so important’ to Ireland World Cup bid Native Kiwis Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe will face the All Blacks at the World Cup for the first time.
The Independent UK · Oct 12, 2023 Talking points as Marseille and Paris prepare to host World Cup quarter-finals Quarter-final blockbusters lie ahead in Paris and Marseille this weekend.
The Independent UK · Oct 12, 2023 Warren Gatland names Wales team to face Argentina with Taulupe Faletau’s replacement confirmed Tommy Reffell replaces the injured Taulupe Faletau in the back row, with Aaron Wainwright moving to number eight