Martin Johnson interview: Why Rugby World Cup 2015 will define Stuart Lancaster’s England team September 10, 2015 Former England captain Martin Johnson knows a thing or two about Rugby World Cups and concedes that the current side’s indelible placing in the annals of history will be determined over the next month or so. Such a stance does not sit comfortably with the 45-year-old, although he accepts it is inevitable. Johnson has [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Joe Schmidt’s Ireland seal quarter-final place with narrow victory as Argentina close in on last eight October 5, 2015 Relieved Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admitted that his side made life difficult for themselves despite sealing their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 16-9 victory over Italy at the Olympic Stadium yesterday. Centre Keith Earls dotted down to set a new national record of eight World Cup tries although Ireland were pegged [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Ireland continue flawless start and edge closer to quarter-finals in front of record crowd at Wembley September 27, 2015 Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admits his side’s Rugby World Cup starts now after they chalked up a second successive bonus-point victory against tier-two opponents Romania at Wembley yesterday. Centre Keith Earls touched down twice, equalling Ireland great Brian O’Driscoll’s World Cup tally of seven tries, while wing Tommy Bowe also scored two in front [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Investment bank forecasts Wales victory over South Africa in quarter-final – but New Zealand tipped to win tournament October 15, 2015 Wales' squad may be decimated by injuries, but an analyst at investment bank Macquarie has crunched the numbers and still sees Warren Gatland's men beating the Springboks in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Yet they will then be beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final, according to Macquarie, who predict the All Blacks to lift their [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Richie McCaw shelves New Zealand retirement talk to avoid frenzy September 13, 2015 New Zealand captain Richie McCaw insists he is determined to prevent talk of his retirement from overshadowing the All Blacks’ bid to to become the first nation in history to defend their Rugby World Cup crown. The 34-year-old flanker, who has made 142 appearances for his country, was given an emotional send off last month [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Avoiding successive England defeats was crucial, admits rejuvenated Jonny May September 6, 2015 Revitalised winger Jonny May admits it was imperative for England to overcome Ireland and avoid the stigma of entering the Rugby World Cup on the back of successive losses. May boosted his chances of making the England XV for the tournament’s curtain-raiser against Fiji on 18 September by scoring the opening try in their 21-13 [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Bryan Habana equals Jonah Lomu’s all-time try record as South Africa thrash United States October 7, 2015 South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer hailed Bryan Habana after the winger equalled Jonah Lomu's all-time record tally of 15 World Cup tries. Habana plundered a hat-trick as the Springboks routed the United States 64-0 at the Olympic Stadium — a victory that guaranteed their progress to the quarter-finals as Pool B winners. Flanker Fancois Louw [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: All Black is the colour as first match England v Figi kicks off tonight September 18, 2015 For the first time in 24 years, New Zealand have arrived for a Rugby World Cup as champions, finally able to bat away the ‘choking Kiwi’ tag that has haunted them for almost three decades. While England are a tempting bet at 9/2 with Sportingbet, it appears that the only chink in the formidable [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Skipper Paul O’Connell’s tournament in doubt after injuries mar Ireland’s 24-9 victory over France October 11, 2015 Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admitted that skipper Paul O’Connell’s World Cup is in the balance after the influential lock was one of several injuries to mar today’s seismic victory over France which sees his side avoid holders New Zealand in the quarter-final. Leading 9-6 at half-time, second-half tries from full-back Rob Kearney and scrum-half Conor [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Pressure is all on England and not New Zealand, insists All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu September 16, 2015 All Blacks great Jonah Lomu insists the strain of Rugby World Cup expectation will weigh more heavily on the shoulders of England’s players than those of defending champions New Zealand. Read more: New Zealand boss Steve Hansen demands All Blacks ditch their arrogance England open the tournament when they play Fiji at Twickenham on Friday, while [...]