CATEGORIES

Cannones firing

Mountain trekking, fishing and Calcio Storico - we cover it all with Italy's flying

DUANE VERMEULEN

The veteran Springbok is aiming for a place in the history books

"If not now, when for the northern hemisphere?"

Nine World Cups and only one success for the North. But, argues Stephen Jones, there will never be a better opportunity to end that grisly stat

BEN WHITE

After a traumatic year, the Scotland No 9 is targeting success in France

THE TEAMS

Analysis of all 20 countries competing at this year's World Cup

Monster SincK

After a nightmare start to the 2019 World Cup final, a more relaxed and balanced Kyle Sinckler is on the road to redemption in Paris

"Everyone in France will want to be in the stadium for the opener!"

BACK IN 2007, it was amazing to have a first Rugby World Cup in France. You had family and friends around but you also felt the atmosphere. Go into a restaurant or meet someone at the boulangerie, you could see the excitement.

BUILDING THE TEAM

We look at some ways that World Cup teams have strengthened bonds off the field

Samuel Marques

At the beating heart of everything for Portugal is this scrum-half- and beware his boot

RUGBY RANT

Let's embrace the joy of rugby, pleads Jenny Mitton of MC Saatchi Sport and Entertainment

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO...PLAY IN WORLD CUPS FOR TWO NATIONS

We give you the lowdown on stars who have switched country to play

Should Owen Farrell play at 12 in the World Cup?

“AN INSIDE-CENTRE (No 12) needs to be the eyes and ears of the fly-half (ten), getting information from his outside and telling the ten where the space is.

"Eddie will come out fighting, as Australians generally do"

THERE IS an Australian way of playing, in my experience. They like high tempo and have a high skill-set. When they attack they have multiple options owing to the quality of ball-player they have. And when they run breakouts along the seam, they can afford to because of those skills.

No red for Mallía a mockery

'Head means red' is the mantra our former elite official wants at the World Cup

DOWNTIME WITH... ADAM BEARD "I got my missus a fake Gucci bag. She thinks it's real so is pretty chuffed!"

The Wales lock talks WWE, Adam Sandler films and gifting poo timers

THE SECRET PLAYER

Our former pro provides a unique insight into the game

Breaking the mould

In the land of wrestling monsters, DAVIT NINIASHVILI is the posterboy for adventurous back play

"The first thing that comes into my head, I'll do it..."

He's one of the most instinctive talents in the world game, so we grilled Darcy Graham to find out what makes him fick

...AND THEN THE OLYMPICS?

He's the face of the 2023 World Cup and now it emerges that France captain ANTOINE DUPONT plans to play sevens at next year's Olympics too. But how easy is the transition? RW speaks to men in the know

PAT PELLEGRINI

From Sevenoaks to Tonga, this fly-half has seen the game's many layers

BATTLE HARDENED

The warrior heart beats loud in FINLAY BEALHAM and the charismatic Ireland prop is hoping for his greatest adventure yet at the Rugby World Cup

MY LIFE IN PICTURES...DAN BIGGAR

As the veteran Wales fly-half prepares for his third World Cup, he talks through some standout memories

DANNY CARE

The evergreen England scrum-half's rollercoaster Test career is heading for the World Cup in France

ELLIE KILDUNNE

The Harlequins and England flyer is at the forefront of a new Red Roses era

"France 2007 didn't live up to the billing. Rugby wasn't in a great spot"

Splashes of colour on a drab canvas - that was the World Cup when it was last played in France 16 years ago. Stephen Jones anticipates more magic and magnetism this time around

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR ENGLAND AT THE WORLD CUP....

England have dropped like a stone since reaching the final of Japan 2019. But could Steve Borthwick's embattled squad spring a surprise at the World Cup in France?

Richie McCaw

A look back to 2011 when the great All Black went beyond the call of duty

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO...BE THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ALL BLACK

Former New Zealand prop Campbell Johnstone on breaking a glass ceiling

KEN OWENS

The Wales great who has represented the Lions and Scarlets with distinction

"My boys call me Trigga because I try to sing like Trey Songz"

The Wallaby talks nicknames, Denzel Washington and getting bumped by Ellis Genge