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.

All Blacks annihilate shambolic Azzurri

1 October 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER New Zealand………………. 96pts Tries: Jordan 6, 69; Smith 16, 26, 33; Telea 19, Savea 21, 40+2; Retallick 50, Papali’i 56, Coles 60, […]

Pollard returns as Boks go big

1 October 2023 0 comments

Preview: South Africa v Tonga (Today, 8pm) Handre Pollard will play his first Test since August 2022 when the Springboks meet Tonga in Marseille. The […]

Eddie bins ace centre Kerevi

1 October 2023 0 comments

Preview: Australia v Portugal (Today, 4:45pm) Samu Kerevi has been left out of Australia’s final pool game against Portugal as Eddie Jones calls in a […]

Farrell doesn’t get into my XV

1 October 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK AS England approach their last pool match against Samoa on Saturday, and the likelihood of a quarter-final against […]

In Gats we trust! Old boss has new tricks

1 October 2023 0 comments

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND IF THE Wales win over Australia proved anything it is that in Gats we trust! There were those who […]

For once, Erasmus makes the wrong call

1 October 2023 0 comments

Rassie Erasmus is not known for missing many tricks when it comes to tactical thinking, whether in selection or playing mind-games. However, South Africa’s controversial […]

It wasn’t so easy back in Rory’s day

1 October 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED RORY Underwood. Remember him? You should. To this day, the Leicester wing stands tall – rather taller than he was in […]

Adam Hathaway’s World Cup Diary: Week Four

1 October 2023 0 comments

TRP reporter Adam Hathaway gives the lowdown on the latest inside stories at Rugby World Cup 2023 Chabal still French enforcer Sixteen years on from […]

Battling North has history in his sights

1 October 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW REAL champions get back up even when (they think) they can’t – the words of Jack Dempsey, […]

24 teams would mean yet more mismatches

1 October 2023 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME AS THE World Cup dominates everything in rugby at the moment surely it should be a […]

Japan set up shot at quarters and send England through

28 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Japan……………………………………………28 Tries: Labuschagne 13, Leitch 32, Himeno 49 Conversions: Matsuda 15, 33 Penalties: Matsuda 28, 56, 75 Samoa…………………………………………..22 Tries: S […]

Wiese wants to see more from Springboks

28 September 2023 0 comments

Former South Africa second row Kobus Wiese expects the Springboks to stick with Handre Pollard going forward in the World Cup, but would like to […]

Uruguay roar back to deny Namibia

27 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor Uruguay………………….36 Tries: Amaya 19, 49, Kessler 28, Arata 54, Basso 66 Conversions: Etcheverry 29, 51, 55, Berchesi 67 Penalties: Berchesi […]

Series 3, Episode 10: RWC Round 3 review with Kobus Wiese

25 September 2023 0 comments

The third weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup was absolutely blockbuster, with South Africa v Ireland living up to the hype whilst Australia sunk […]

Clinical Wales power through and leave woeful Wallabies on the brink

24 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Wales…………………………………….40 Tries: Davies 3, Tompkins 48 Conversions: Biggar 4, Anscombe 49 Penalties: Anscombe 21, 29, 39, 43, 52, 60 Drop-goal: […]

Scotland begin comeback trail with impressive Tonga win

24 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Scotland……………………………….45 Tries: Turner 5, van der Merwe 26, Steyn 30, Darge 40+2, Horne 54, Kinghorn 68, Graham 80+2 Conversions: Russell […]

Five-star Arundell sparks England

24 September 2023 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Lille Henry Arundell gave England World Cup lift-off in Lille and was hailed the full package by skipper Owen Farrell. Wing […]

Ford: Shades of ‘19 in this team

24 September 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Mike Ford is growing more and more convinced England are on the right road to a dream Final stop off in Paris. […]

England cough up too much ball – Ojo

24 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK England fans have been left frustrated at their side’s persistent kicking, with the travelling contingent echoing a chorus of boos during last […]

Arundell drives England revival

24 September 2023 0 comments

By NICK CAIN England …………………………71pts Tries: Arundell 20, 30, 48, 60, 69; Dan 24, 45; Rodd 35, Smith 40, 77; Willis 80 Conversions: Farrell 25, […]

We are ready to shock All Blacks, says Allan

24 September 2023 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan is warning the All Blacks: We’ve never been in a better position to spring a World Cup surprise. […]

Aki gives Ireland reason to believe

24 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER South Africa ……………….. 8pts Tries: Kolbe 51 Penalties: Libbok 5 Ireland……………………….. 13pts Tries: Hansen 33 Conversions: Sexton 34 Penalties: Sexton 58, Crowley […]

Portugal go so close to snatching thrilling win

24 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Georgia………….. 18pts Tries: Tabutsadze 2, Zamtaradze 78 Conversions: Abzhandadze 3 Penalties: Abzhandadze 16, 32 Portugal ………… 18pts Tries: Storti 34, 57 Conversions: […]

Scots want to put on dancing shoes

24 September 2023 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW PREVIEW… Scotland v Tonga Today. Kick-off 4.45pm, Stade de Nice NEVER mind a Springbok-style Bomb Squad – Gregor Townsend is planning to […]

England lack that wolf pack mentality

24 September 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK OWEN Farrell was back in the England starting line-up for Chile, and it will almost certainly be the […]

Wallabies battling to avoid early exit

24 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Wales v Australia Today, 8pm, Parc Olympique Lyonnais Big test: Ben Donalson stars at fly-half for Australia PICTURES: Getty Images EIGHT […]

Biggest boots are made for winning

24 September 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED If catches win cricket matches – a fact of sporting life mischievously underscored by the recent joke about Jonny “Butterfingers” Bairstow […]

Sure you are in the right place, Sonny Bill?

24 September 2023 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT There are still those of us, generally of “a certain age”, who continue to defend the BBC as though our lives depend on […]

Minnows beginning to prove their worth

24 September 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees reports on how World Rugby’s investment below decks has started to make a difference THE Adelaide Oval is arguably the most scenic venue […]

Ford does not need escort to guide England

24 September 2023 0 comments

Joe Marler likes to say it as it is. The England prop is not one to cloak his words in euphemism or disguise his thoughts […]

Macron’s winning ways with Shaun

24 September 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON Shaun Edwards has been winning friends and admirers all his rugby life. Now he has a new one who calls the Elysee Palace […]

The double agents who have enjoyed two lives

24 September 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW “We can have no 50-50 allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing […]

Adam Hathaway’s World Cup Diary: Week Three

24 September 2023 0 comments

TRP reporter Adam Hathaway gives the lowdown on the latest inside stories at Rugby World Cup 2023 How much? And there’s no beer! Another round […]

Just in time, England seem to be improving

24 September 2023 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME WELL, who would have thought it? After the dismal performances in the last two Six Nations […]

Boffelli puts Pumas back on track in scrappy Samoa win

22 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Argentina…………………………………………..19 Tries: Boffelli 9 Conversions: Boffelli 10 Penalties: Boffelli 25, 34 54; Sanchez 80 Samoa………………………………………………..10 Tries: Malolo 75 Conversions: Leuila […]

Farrell returns with Smith at full-back as England face Chile

21 September 2023 0 comments

Captain Owen Farrell will make his return from suspension at fly-half with Marcus Smith starting at full-back as England face Chile. Amongst the dozen changes […]

Dupont injured in France’s 14-try demolition of Namibia

21 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor France…………………………………….96 Tries: Penaud 6, 21, 55; Danty 9, 26; Ollivon 18, 68; Flament 33, Dupont 38, Bielle-Biarrey 41, 64; Couilloud 47, Jaminet 76, Penalty […]

Italy stay on knockout track with inspired fightback against Uruguay

20 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor at Stade de Nice Italy…………………………….38 Tries: Pani 7, Lamaro 46, Ioane 52, Cannone 56, Brex 61 Conversions: Allan 8, 47, […]

England grab late bonus point in Japan win

17 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor at Stade de Nice England………………………………34 Tries: Ludlam 24, Lawes 56, Steward 66, Marchant 80+1 Conversions: Ford 26, 56, 67, 80+1 […]

Player ratings from England’s win against Japan

17 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor at Stade de Nice England found their form in the last 25 minutes to beat Japan in Nice on Sunday […]

Fiji edge Australia to keep knockout hopes alive

17 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor Australia………………..15 Tries: Nawaqanitawase 23, Suli Vunivalu 68 Conversion: Donaldson 70 Penalties: Donaldson 3 Fiji…………………………..22 Tries: Tuisova 43 Conversion: Kuruvoli 44 Penalties: Kuruvoli 12, […]

Reinach’s rapid treble sparks Springbok demolition

17 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor South Africa……………………..76 Tries: Reinach 3, 9, 24; Mapimpi 7, 64, 68; Willemse 12, Fourie 43, Williams 55, 62, Le Roux 74 Romania…………………………….0 Cobus […]

Itoje: We are here to win, not entertain

17 September 2023 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Maro Itoje insists he is not worried by England’s World Cup try famine – as long as the wins keep rolling in. […]

Dawson: Hard for Farrell to get back

17 September 2023 0 comments

EXCLUSIVE By BEN JAYCOCK World Cup winner Matt Dawson is struggling to see how captain Owen Farrell gets back into the England team after George […]

England need to extend control

17 September 2023 0 comments

By NICK CAIN PREVIEW…England v Japan, Today. Kick-off 8pm, Stade de Nice Can Japan produce another “Brighton Miracle”, mirroring their incredible win over South Africa […]

Fitness first: Both teams out to show they’re at their best

17 September 2023 0 comments

The hard grind is about to pay off ! That was the message being broadcast by the England and Japan fitness gurus as they prepared […]

Scrum-halves taking over as Springboks ring changes

17 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK PREVIEW… South Africa v Romania Today. Kick-off 2pm, Stade de Bordeaux Jacques Nienaber’s South Africa have built themselves on versatility and that […]

Portugal make it hard for Wales

17 September 2023 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Wales………………………… 28pts Tries: Rees-Zammit 8, Lake 42, Morgan 55, Faletau 82 Conversions: Halfpenny 9, 43, 56; Costelow 82 Portugal ………………………. 8pts Tries: […]

Clunky Samoa fail to impress

17 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Samoa ………………………….. 43pts Tries: Paia’aua 40, Taumateine 41, Lee 46, Malolo 51, 80 Conversions: Leali’ifano 40, 52, Sopoaga 80 Penalties: Leali’ifano 4, […]