Rugby World Cup

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Rugby World Cup news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

One Goon show we could all do without

15 October 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED It is just about possible, if you’re seriously odd, to imagine that Dan Cole might stand a chance of out-performing Simone […]

Travelling coast to coast is a delight

15 October 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT A good many moons ago, this column identified the No.14 shirt as the latest cutting-edge fashion garment in the rugby wardrobe. After all […]

A French-inspired XV to take on the world

15 October 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points The ProD2 Twitter account – sorry X account – conveyed congratulations earlier […]

Why do Aussies let so many escape?

15 October 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS The problems facing Australian Rugby are many and numerous but a largely unmentioned issue would appear to be letting outstanding Australia-qualified and Aussie […]

History backing France

15 October 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON For reasons that defy all logic, France have never failed to reach a World Cup final once every 12 years: Auckland 1987, Cardiff […]

Blocking out the noise

15 October 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON The Springboks have been warming up for tonight’s semi-final against France to the overpowering sound of an ecstatic Gallic multitude ringing in their […]

Banahan: England will reach the semis

15 October 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE On the weekend that he started his own international coaching career, Matt Banahan is backing England to reach the World Cup semi-finals. […]

Big four are streets ahead

15 October 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees says the 40 group matches have highlighted the difference in the two sides of the draw World Rugby’s plans for a 24-team tournament […]

Ireland resist injuries to go unchanged against New Zealand

13 October 2023 0 comments

Ireland have overcome several knocks to name an unchanged XV against New Zealand for potentially the highest octane quarter-final in Rugby World Cup history. Ireland’s […]

Farrell at fly-half, Smith full-back for Fiji quarter-final

13 October 2023 0 comments

Captain Owen Farrell will start at fly-half with fellow number 10 Marcus Smith at full-back for England‘s crunch World Cup quarter-final clash with Fiji. Farrell […]

Biggar back for Wales as heavyweights return

13 October 2023 0 comments

Wales have brought several heavyweights back into the starting XV as Argentina name a largely unchanged side for their quarter-final clash. Dan Biggar has overcome […]

Australia don’t have a style of rugby – Campese

13 October 2023 0 comments

David Campese admits Australia didn’t deserve to get through to the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup, but does not want to lay the […]

Shades of 2015 in current All Blacks team – Fitzpatrick

12 October 2023 0 comments

All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick sees parallels between the current New Zealand team and their 2015 World Cup winning squad. Despite losing their opening match […]

Series 3, Episode 12: RWC Pool review and QF preview with David Campese

11 October 2023 0 comments

The Rugby World Cup pool stages have come to an end, and what a way to finish! Portugal landed their first ever World Cup win, […]

Ryan and Hansen unlikely to feature in Ireland’s quarter-final

10 October 2023 0 comments

Second row James Ryan and winger Mack Hansen are major doubts for Ireland‘s Rugby World Cup quarter-final with New Zealand this Saturday. Ryan has reportedly […]

Portugal beat quarter-finalists Fiji to earn first World Cup win in classic

8 October 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Fiji……………………………………………23 Tries: Botia 48, Doge 68 Conversions: Lomani 49, 69 Penalties: Lomani 10, 74, 76 Portugal……………………………………24 Tries: Storti 45, Fernandes […]

Tonga end tournament with exciting Romania victory

8 October 2023 0 comments

By Tom Jeffreys Tonga……………………………………………45 Tries: Kata 11, 66; Moala 15, Taumoepeau 22, Vailanu 49, Ahki 62, Taumoefolau 71 Conversions: Havili 13, 17, 23, 51, 63 […]

Carreras hat-trick sends Argentina through with entertaining win

8 October 2023 0 comments

By Matthew Luddington Japan…………………………………………..27 Tries: Fakatava 16, Saito 38, Naikabula 65 Conversion: Matsuda 17, 39, 67 Penalties: Matsuda 52 Drop Goals: Lemeki 56 Argentina……………………………………..39 Tries: […]

Farrell so sorry for shot clock blunder

8 October 2023 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Lille Skipper Owen Farrell vowed never to repeat his blunder that could have cost nervy England victory against Samoa. Farrell fell […]

Wales top pool but Faletau ruled out

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after breaking his arm in the 43-19 win over […]

The Great Escape! Veteran Care gets England out of jail

8 October 2023 0 comments

By NICK CAIN England ……………………………………. 18pts Tries: Chessum 9, Care 73 Conversions: Farrell 74 Penalties: Farrell 18, 58 Samoa ……………………………………… 17pts Tries: Ah Wong 22, […]

Majestic Ireland blow Scots away

8 October 2023 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Ireland……………………… 36pts Tries: Lowe 2, Keenan 26, 39; Henderson 32, Sheehan 44, Ringrose 58 Conversions: Sexton 27, 33, 40 Scotland ………………… 14pts […]

Carreras gets vote at No.10 for Pumas

8 October 2023 0 comments

PREVIEW… Japan v Argentina Today. Kick-off 12pm, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes It is winner takes all in Nantes today to determine who plays Wales […]

Moala makes his World Cup debut

8 October 2023 0 comments

PREVIEW… Tonga v Romania Today. Kick-off 4.45pm Stade Pierre-Mauroy ROMANIA head coach Eugen Apjok has made nine changes as hooker Ovidiu Cojocaru captains the side […]

Fiji need just one point to qualify

8 October 2023 0 comments

Preview Fiji v Portugal Today. KO 8pm Stadium de Toulouse FIJI require one point from today’s match to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first […]

Wales finish with a flourish

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Wales…………………………… 43pts Tries: Francis 16, Williams 23, Rees-Zammit 43, 67, 74; North 80 Conversions: Costelow 17, 24, 44, 69, 80+1 Penalties: Costelow […]

Epic match in store as Ireland sharpen claws

8 October 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK An Ireland v New Zealand quarter-final is a mouthwatering prospect, especially after Andy Farrell’s team came away with […]

Italy crushed by rampant France

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER France……………………………60pts Tries: Penaud 2, 37; Bielle-Biarrey 12, Ramos 21, Jalibert 46, Mauvaka 53, Moefana 63, 75 Conversions: Ramos 2, 13, 22, 38, […]

Pellegrini shows the depth of talent

8 October 2023 0 comments

Pat Pellegrini’s beautifully taken chip-and-chase try for Tonga against South Africa in last weekend’s World Cup clash in Marseille was a great showcase not just […]

Sacrificial lambs who took one for the team

8 October 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED RUGBY being a hard old game even when things are going your way, the willingness to suffer is every bit as […]

Bunker mentality makes it easier for refs

8 October 2023 0 comments

Where football leads, rugby inevitably follows. So when can we expect the equivalent of a VAR cock-up to lord it over the national news bulletins […]

Keep Portugal in game

8 October 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER Portugal might have become the surprise package of RWC2023 for some, but […]

Austin’s bite would add to the show

8 October 2023 0 comments

I miss Austin Healey. There, I said it. I miss his eagle eye spotting stuff I have missed; I miss him questioning a team’s tactics […]

Time for the mind games to take centre stage

8 October 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees wonders whether a demanding run-in for the favourites will open the door for England and Wales THE World Cup has reached the stage […]

Bunker system may expand to other contests

8 October 2023 0 comments

It was always going to be a World Cup in which discipline would be crucial with a zero tolerance on head high tackles which lacked […]

Galthie joy as France’s wait for Meafou is nearly over

8 October 2023 0 comments

Expect to see New Zealand-born, Australia-raised Emmanuel Meafou in a France squad as early as next year in time for the start of the next phase […]

Paris set for Celtic clash of titans

6 October 2023 0 comments

The rugby world will be transfixed for 80 minutes on Saturday night as world number one team Ireland face Scotland in a winner takes all […]

New Zealand cruise into quarter-finals

5 October 2023 0 comments

By Matthew Luddington New Zealand……………………………………….73 Tries: McKenzie 20, 53; Mo’unga 25, Jordan 33, 65; Roigard 38, Newell 45, Fainga’anuku 49, 68, 77; Williams 73 Conversions: […]

Ford-Farrell combination reignited as England face Samoa

5 October 2023 0 comments

Pool D toppers England have named a strong line-up in search of an emphatic win against Samoa to finish off a resurgent pool campaign. Borthwick, […]

Wales eye revenge to top Pool C

5 October 2023 0 comments

Wales are taking no risks in their final pool stage game on Saturday afternoon as they seek to secure top spot in Pool C and […]

All Blacks’ determination pleasing Fitzpatrick

5 October 2023 0 comments

Sean Fitzpatrick was surprised by the manner in which New Zealand dismantled Italy last Friday night, but is confident the All Blacks‘ focus and determination […]

RWC final round: Pool-by-pool permutations

3 October 2023 0 comments

Heading into the finale of the pool stages, there are six quarter-final places still up for grabs in the Rugby World Cup, with just England […]

Series 3, Episode 11: RWC Round 4 review with Sean Fitzpatrick

2 October 2023 0 comments

There is just one round of the Rugby World Cup pool stage remaining and it all hinges on week five! The headline from the last […]

South Africa edge closer to knockout stage with Tonga victory

1 October 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor South Africa……………………..49 Tries: Reinach 5, Moodie 20, Fourie 32, Kriel 49, Le Roux 58, van Staden 63, Smith 80+1 Conversions: […]

Australia overcome Portugal to keep slim hopes alive

1 October 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Australia……………………………………34 Tries: Arnold 19, Porecki 21, Bell 26, McReight 47, Koroibete 74 Conversions: Donaldson 20, 21, 27 Penalties: Donaldson 4 […]

Care: We believe we can succeed

1 October 2023 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Le Touquet Danny Care reckons England have proved the doubters wrong and have got supporters grinning after going three from three […]

24-team World Cup would suit MacGinty

1 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES AJ MacGinty is pumped to fire Bristol’s potent back division this season, but after having a rare full pre-season this summer admits […]

Centurion Sanchez leads way for Pumas

1 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Argentina ………59pts Tries: Sanchez 9, Gonzalez 16, 68, Creevy 23, Bogado 46, Isgro 64, Ruiz 77, Carreras 79 Conversions: Sanchez 10, 17, […]

Georgia make Fiji battle to the end

1 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Fiji………………………………. 17pts Tries: Nayacalevu 51, Habosi 68 Conversions: Lomani 52, 69 Penalty: Lomani 65 Georgia………………………. 12pts Penalties: Matkava 5, 80; Niniashvili 19, […]

Scotland set up an Ireland decider

1 October 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Scotland ……………………… 84pts Tries: Watson 9, Price 17, Graham 21, 34, 40, 77; Fagerson 38, Harris 45, Smith 53, Healy 58, Matthews […]

Rugby World Cup

Recent Posts

Search