CATEGORIES

Gatland: Win well to scare the rest

WARREN Gatland has urged his Wales side to gain a psychological advantage over their World Cup rivals by putting Fiji and Uruguay to the sword to top Pool D in Japan.

Ford: That Tigers toil has made me better

GEORGE Ford believes his current spell of good form at the World Cup in Japan is a direct result of Leicester’s dismal campaign last season.

Blossoms' late score puts heat on Scotland

JAMIE Joseph claims the pressure will be all on Scotland in Yokohama and he smiled broadly after watching his bubbling Brave Blossoms blow Samoa away at Tokyo Stadium.

World Cup Party Time As Japan Stun Irish

JAPAN dazzled the World Cup for the second time in four years as they stunned Ireland 19-12 in Shizuoka and put the country in party mode.

Wales Ease Off The Gas After First Half Blitz

WALES displayed devastating power to cruise to the bonus point by half-time before the humidity got the better of them at the City of Toyota Stadium on Monday.

This Wales Side Have Got Cheika Worried

I LIKE where Wales are at going into this morning’s game with Australia – not just for facing the Wallabies but for the rest of the Pool stages too.

Montoya Hat-Trick As Pumas Warn Eddie

ARGENTINA fired a warning shot at England ahead of Saturday’s crucial Pool C clash by securing their four-try bonus point against Tonga after just 26 minutes in front of a 21,000 crowd in Higashiosaka.

Italy's Hope Is In Speed Of The Back Row

Brendan Gallagher looks at the challenge facing Italy and fancies they have an outside chance

Brutal Training Sets Up Wales

SHAUN Edwards issued Wales with a World Cup battle cry and told Warren Gatland’s players they will remember it forever if they seal a crucial win over Australia in Tokyo.

Smart All Blacks Kick The Springboks Into Disarray

What struck me most as New Zealand beat South Africa 23-13 in their showdown yesterday was that planning your strategy behind-the-scenes is where coaches earn their corn, and it is where the Springboks fell short this time.

Japan Gets Its Sense Of Proportion Just Right

There is a strong appreciation of detail and proportion in Japanese culture, as well as a deep sense of tradition, and thankfully they were reflected in the 2019 World Cup opening ceremony in the Tokyo Stadium on Friday.

Expect A Reaction After Rob's Departure

This Welsh squad keep being put through the mill off the field. It really is far from ideal as they prepare for the biggest tournament of their lives.

Woodman: Mako Is Key To Success

Trevor Woodman says the fitness of powerhouse loosehead Mako Vunipola will be critical to England’s chance of success in Japan.

Come On Samoa, Let's Have One Big Upset!

Brendan Gallagher recalls the glory of Samoa and asks when will it return at the World Cup?

Let The Counties Reps Run Our Amateur Game

I was on the list of the people who received an email last week from serial correspondent Jeff Gage.

Wallabies Comeback Dodges Banana Skin

Michael Cheika agreed his side were given a huge wake up call as Australia survived a ferocious Fijian storm.

We'll Fight Tongan Fire With Fire Says Eddie

Eddie Jones wants to send a clear message to England’s World Cup rivals that they are more than a match for the most physical sides when they kick off their campaign against Tonga today.

Eddie Will Find Tonga Give Focus To His Men

England play their first match of the World Cup today against a Tongan team that will be strong, aggressive and direct but it should be the perfect game for Eddie Jones to start England’s campaign.

By George! A Late Show From Mills Is Just In Time

In a game that was a great advert for National 1 rugby, Plymouth Albion snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to record their first win of the season.

Alfie Will Be ‘Allright, Butt'

Surviving mankind’s longest test of endurance and living for 100 years requires more than a modicum of courage – in which event Gareth Thomas must have every chance of getting there.

Ace Segun Leads Way For Sarries Super Kids

Rampant Rotimi Segun showed just why Sarries believe he is a wing wizard in the making as the former England junior raced over for a try double at the Ricoh Arena.

All Blacks Give Proof They're Still The Boss

New Zealand posted notice that their bid for a third successive World Cup title is alive and well by ruthlessly seeing off a South African side predicted to be their main challengers.

England Go Numb as the Big Freeze Strikes Again

From NICK CAIN at the Aviva Stadium SEIZE the day? Not a chance, because on far too many occasions in this potentially epochmaking match England could not even catch the ball.

Farrell's Signature Is Worth Weight In Gold

OWEN Farrell’s statement of intent by signing a five-year contract at Saracens will ensure the rest of the club’s highly prized stars stay put, according to recently retired flanker Will Fraser.  

Daly Has The Towering Talent To Lift Wasps To Title

Daly Has The Towering Talent To Lift Wasps To Title

Gloucester Battered By Quins' Storm Troopers

WE HAD thunder and lightning on and off the field for 20 minutes at the Stoop yesterday which was more than enough for Quins to seize this game and claim a morale restoring victory after the disappointment of defeat against London Irish first time out.

Sharks Go Wonky In The Lineout To Hand It To Falcons

FOR ALL the zip and zest of the previous weekend, where attacking rugby thrived and defences were deemed surplus, this brought the Premiership back down to earth with a juddering halt.  

Dan's A Big Loss But Ospreys Do Have Sam

Dan's A Big Loss But Ospreys Do Have Sam

Henson On Target But Dragons Fade

EDINBURGH head coach Richard Cockerill insists there is a lot more to come from his side after their bonus point victory over the Dragons on Friday night.

Still Time For Yarde To Turn His Image Around At Sale

Marland Yarde has got to play at a club where he fits in and feels he can go about making the most of his ability in the right way, and, hopefully, his move to Sale Sharks will do that for him. There seems to have been some kind of communications breakdown between him and Harlequins this season, with the result that he has not lived up to the demands of the culture at The Stoop.