74 articles
Wales and the World Cup. For a country steeped in rugby history, their outings in rugby’s showpiece have been somewhat of a mixed bag. Third place in the inaugural World Cup in 1987 remains their best tournament to date. Since then, they have suffered three group stage exits, two quarter-finals and one heart-breaking semi-final exit […]
Warren Gatland has named a strong side for Wales’ final warm-up game against Italy this Saturday. Captain Sam Warburton returns at openside flanker forming a new back row combination with James King at blindside and Taulupe Faletau at No. 8. Gatland retains the same front row that started in Dublin last week although there are […]
Wales’ Principality Premiership will play under an experimental scoring system which will award six points for a try and two points for all kicks at goal. World Rugby is expected to sanction the move, which will first be used on Saturday. The current scoring system of five points for a try, three for penalty kicks […]
Former England captain Will Carling believes the current squad could struggle to get of their group at the World Cup. Hosts England start their World Cup campaign against Fiji at Twickenham on 18 September before facing group rivals Wales and Australia in a vital seven-day period. And Carling, speaking to the Express, stated his anxiety […]
Gareth Anscombe was the biggest name to miss out as Warren Gatland announced his 31-man squad for the World Cup. The Kiwi-born fly-half had impressed in training and off the bench against Ireland in Cardiff but an ankle injury sustained last week has resulted in the Cardiff Blues pivot missing out He will be replaced […]
South Africa face the sensational prospect of being banned from this year’s World Cup. Race campaigners are currently seeking a court order this week which could result in Springbok players and officials surrendering their passports. According to the Guardian, the Agency for New Agenda (ANA) is behind the order. They claim that the selection criteria […]
Four does not go into three. It never will. But how Warren Gatland must wish it would. Because how else could he get the talents of Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau into his team. Following another barnstorming performance in Dublin by Tipuric, Gatland must be questioning whether to break up the […]
Wales kick-started their World Cup preparations with a hard-fought 16-10 victory over Ireland in Dublin. Warren Gatland’s men out-muscled their opponents in a closely-contested match which sends them ahead of group rivals England in the World Rankings. Wales will now take on Italy at home in their final warm-up game while Ireland travel to Twickenham […]
As Warren Gatland named his team to face Ireland in Dublin, the main story was the inclusion of George North. The Northampton Saints wing will mark his return from a concussion by starting on Saturday. North, who has been absent since March, will win his 50th cap as part of a strong side in […]
Gareth Anscombe could be set to miss the 2015 World Cup through injury. The Kiwi-born utility back had looked likely to be included in Warren Gatland’s 31 man squad after impressing for Wales off the bench against Ireland. Yet it appears he faces a battle to be fit in time after damaging his ankle ligaments […]
As England prepare to name their squad for the 2015 World Cup, two names will be notable by their absence. Nick Abendanon and Steffon Armitage, the last two recipients of European Player of the Year, will play no part in the tournament. While their compatriots run out to the cries of ‘Swing Low’ at Twickenham, […]
Stuart Lancaster will come to rue the decision to leave Steffon Armitage out of his England World Cup squad. That is the opinion of former World Cup winner Ali Williams, speaking to the Telegraph, who was a teammate of Armitage at Toulon. Armitage was instrumental as Toulon secured the Champions Cup, their third in succession, […]