10:56 AM BST The Springboks have appointed Felix Jones as a defence consultant for the World Cup, the South Africa Rugby Union announced Wednesday. The former Ireland international fullback will be reunited with head coach Rassie Erasmus after their time together at Munster. His arrival comes after attack coach Swys de Bruin quit earlier this
Rugby
9:19 AM BST World Cup selection bolter Jordan Petaia will return early from the Wallabies camp in New Caledonia with injury and has been ruled out of next week’s Test against Samoa. Uncapped 19-year-old Petaia has will have to wait until the World Cup in Japan to make his international debut after injuring his hamstring
1:21 AM BST The All Blacks have unveiled the 31-man squad that will attempt to win a third straight Rugby World Cup. Coach Steve Hansen was expected to announce a list of names with few surprises, but he and his fellow All Blacks selectors did have a couple of shocks up their sleeve on Wednesday.
12:51 PM BST Scotland lock Sam Skinner has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday’s victory over France. Skinner, 24, limped off during Scotland’s 17-14 comeback win at Murrayfield and Scottish Rugby confirmed on Tuesday that the Exeter Chiefs man will not feature in Japan next month.
8:45 AM BST ESPN staff Rugby Australia [RA] boss Raelene Castle has confirmed the governing body will conduct a review of its Giteau Law with the policy having now been used across two World Cup cycles. Australia’s overseas player policy was thrust into the spotlight in the lead-up to Michael Cheika’s Wallabies squad announcement last
4:49 AM BST Former Wallabies lock Will Skelton has described his decision to commit to the English Premiership rather than return to Australia as a “no-brainer”. Skelton revealed he signed a fresh two-year deal with London club Saracens, continuing an association that began in 2016, the year of his 18th and most recent Test. The
2:05 PM ET England delivered a commanding performance to delight a sun-drenched Twickenham crowd Saturday as they ran in eight tries in a record 57-15 rout of Ireland. After an early wobble England took total control of the Rugby World Cup warmup Test, delivering the sort of ambitious, high-speed game that has been on show
4:05 AM BST Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper was made to sweat by Matt Giteau, but his close mate at last delivered the good news that he’d be off to a fourth Rugby World Cup. Continuing the tradition from the 2015 World Cup, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika relied on former Test players to give each of
4:02 AM BST New Zealand’s first Rugby World Cup-winning captain wants Steve Hansen to keep making the big selection calls as he attempts to “prove himself all over again” on the game’s biggest stage. David Kirk was New Zealand’s sole triumphant World Cup captain for 24 years until Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy
3:05 AM BST The Wallabies’ 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup is in and as ever, there were some good and hard-luck stories across the group. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and fellow selectors Michael O’Connor and Scott Johnson have settled on a split of 17 forwards and 13 backs for the tournament, which kicks