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.

Ireland get in mood for Springbok clash

17 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Ireland………………………. 59pts Tries: Beirne 21, Doris 26, Hansen 33, Sexton 38, Lowe 59, Aki 62, 69; Herring 79 Conversions: Sexton 22, 27, […]

England must up the tempo and go at Japan

17 September 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK THE reality of the Argentina game was that England managed to dig deep and raise their performance against […]

We must not ignore Cipriani’s treatment

17 September 2023 1 comment

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK Danny Cipriani’s recent biography has shined a light on the player cliques within the England team that […]

Bunker boys need to be fair

17 September 2023 1 comment

NICK CAIN Tom Curry’s red card after a bunker review was to be expected under the current laws aimed at preventing head high impact in […]

Jones to stick with the Aussies

17 September 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Eddie Jones is pouring cold water on reports that he could return to Japan and plans to see out the rest of […]

Jonny doesn’t quite hit mark

17 September 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Jonny Wilkinson’s shirt from England’s 2003 World Cup Final win failed to match expectations at a recent sale of memorabilia held by […]

I owe it all to Clive…

17 September 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Lawrence Dallaglio admits he has Sir Clive Woodward to thank for his World Cup winners medal. Dallaglio, speaking on William Hill’s podcast […]

Time for an elite 16-team contest

17 September 2023 1 comment

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST OCTOBER 2003 was a busy old month, what with Mother Teresa being beatified by Pope John Paul II, the Chinese launching […]

Reviving the lost art of the drop goal

17 September 2023 0 comments

Paul Rees sees George Ford join an impressive list of players whose quick thinking has made the difference GEORGE Ford resurrected not only England’s reputation […]

Time aspiring nations received more even-handed officiating

17 September 2023 0 comments

IT WAS hard not to feel for Fiji at the end of one of the epic World Cup matches. Not because Semi Radradra dropped a […]

PJ keeps on rolling, against all the odds

17 September 2023 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW THE rain hadn’t long stopped sheeting down when the Grand Old Man of the World Cup made […]

Adam Hathaway’s World Cup Diary: Week Two

17 September 2023 0 comments

TRP reporter Adam Hathaway gives the lowdown on the latest inside stories at Rugby World Cup 2023 The Times nearly keep us all waiting The […]

Wallabies benefit from Fiji brilliance

17 September 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER NATIONALITY is a pretty fluid concept in the South Pacific with families […]

All Blacks run riot in Toulouse over Namibia

15 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor New Zealand… 71pts Tries: Roigard 2, 7, McKenzie 20, 39, Fainga’anuku 25, Lienert-Brown 35, de Groot 49, Papali’i 54, Havili […]

Halliday: ‘Special’ Ford should remain at fly-half over Farrell

15 September 2023 0 comments

By Matthew Luddington Simon Halliday has commended George Ford‘s outstanding performance against Argentina, describing it as “pretty special.” He also expressed the view that Owen […]

France overcome impressive Uruguay for second World Cup win

14 September 2023 1 comment

By Nick Powell, Online Editor France………………..27 Tries: Hastoy 11, Mauvaka 55, Bielle-Biarrey 73 Conversions: Jaminet 13, 56, 74, 77 Penalties: Jaminet 4, 16 Uruguay………………12 Tries: […]

Lake skippers much-changed Wales for Portugal

13 September 2023 0 comments

Dewi Lake has replaced Jac Morgan as captain among 13 changes Wales have made for their second Rugby World Cup match against Portugal. Lake comes […]

Simpson-Daniel: Ford’s display best since Wilkinson

13 September 2023 0 comments

James Simpson-Daniel has claimed George Ford‘s performance against Argentina was the best an England fly-half had played since the prime days of Jonny Wilkinson. Ford […]

Wales hold on for critical win against Fiji

11 September 2023 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor Wales…………………………….32 Tries: Adams 7, North 29, Rees-Zammit 48, Dee 66 Conversions: Biggar 30, 49, 67 Penalties: Biggar 2, 24 Fiji…………………………………26 […]

Springbok double blow sinks battling Scots

10 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor at Stade de Marseille South Africa…………………18 Tries: Du Toit 47, Arendse 51 Penalties: Libbok 13, 25 Conversions: De Klerk 52 […]

Player Ratings From South Africa’s win against Scotland

10 September 2023 0 comments

Beyond the opening night, there was another blockbuster clash between two of the world’s top five teams to be played this weekend. And South Africa […]

Japan off to winning start against spirited debutants Chile

10 September 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell, Online Editor Japan………………………….42 Tries: Fakatava 8, 41, Naikabula 30, Leitch 53, Nakamura 71, Dearns 79 Conversions: Matsuda 10, 31, 42, 54, 73, […]

Brilliant Ford has the drop on Pumas

10 September 2023 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY England, down to 14 men within three minutes of the kick-off, put in a performance of guts, determination and poise to beat […]

Forshaw: Fiji will be a bruising encounter

10 September 2023 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Defence coach Mike Forshaw has warned his players to be ready for “lightning bolts” from the Fijians when Wales open their 2023 […]

27-point Ford helps England rediscover their soul

10 September 2023 0 comments

From NICK CAIN at Stade de Marseille England ……………………….. 27pts Penalties: Ford 10, 46, 54, 59, 66, 75 Drop-goals: Ford 27, 31, 37 Argentina …………………….. […]

Where does this leave Farrell?

10 September 2023 0 comments

PAUL REES Steve Borthwick tore up his playbook with the team he selected to face Argentina and his boldness saw a team that had sleepwalked […]

When you go down to 14, it’s flight or fight… and England fought

10 September 2023 0 comments

BRENDAN GALLAGHER SOMETIMES a little adversity does you good and it certainly sparked a reaction from England in Marseille last night. Already under the cosh […]

France get in groove to finish in style

10 September 2023 0 comments

From NICK CAIN at Stade de France France………………………….. 27pts Tries: Penaud 55, Jaminet 78 Conversion: Ramos 57 Penalties: Ramos 5, 20, 29, 65, 74 New […]

Sexton in charge of Ireland’s destiny

10 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Ireland…………………………. 82pts Tries: Gibson-Park 5, Keenan 12, Beirne 17, 83; Aki 34, 75; Sexton 40, 62; Rob Herring 45, O’Mahony 50, 70; […]

Capuozzo takes time to get into his stride as Italy make it hard for Namibia

10 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Italy………………….52pts Tries: Cannone 11, Garbisi 15, Lamb 46, Capuozzo 55, Faiva 74, Zuliani 78, Odogwu 80+3 Conversions: Allan 12, 16, 47, 56, […]

Impressive Australians hit the ground running

10 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Australia……………………… 35pts Tries: Petaia 2, Nawaqanitawase 9, Donaldson 58, 68 Conversions: Donaldson 10, 59, 69 Penalties: Dondaldson 14, 20, 30 Georgia…………………………. 15pts […]

Samoa in good shape to do well, says Lam

10 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Pat Lam believes Samoa will pose the same threat in this year’s World Cup as they did in the 1990s when they […]

Callard backing Portugal to shine

10 September 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Jon Callard hopes Portugal can show the world what they are all about at the World Cup. The former England full-back and […]

France’s love of the game is clear to see

10 September 2023 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK – AT THE WORLD CUP THE French love nothing more than a good fête, with every city, […]

Too costly to dismiss Borthwick

10 September 2023 0 comments

The RFU can’t afford to sack Steve Borthwick even if they wanted to, with the under-performing England boss in line for a £3m payout if […]

Stick with 20 teams but bring in Trophy

10 September 2023 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points IT’S very rare, in fact unique, for me to disagree with anything […]

Time right for second crown to come north

10 September 2023 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME THE opening weekend of matches will tell us a lot more about this World Cup and […]

Joy to see the hosts burst out of bubble

10 September 2023 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN THE Rugby World Cup party kicked off in France on Friday. Things have been simmering along with anticipation here for some […]

Series 3, Episode 7: Rugby World Cup Preview with Jeremy Guscott

6 September 2023 0 comments

Here. We. Go. The Rugby World Cup 2023 is upon us, and we can’t wait! It’s time to look ahead the tournament as a whole, […]

Dallaglio: Get rid of this siege mentality

3 September 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD England’s failing stars have been ordered to cut out the “siege mentality” and begin “owning their performances”. World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio […]

Willis aiming to be the local villain

3 September 2023 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Jack Willis headed back to France on Thursday with England aiming to go from local hero to villain in his adopted country. […]

Warburton: Ball in play time ‘crucial’ in France

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Sam Warburton believes fitness and management of ball in play time could be the difference in this World Cup. Warburton, who won […]

Flying Fijians ready to take on the world

3 September 2023 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Fiji winger Jiuta Wainiqolo says his side are not feeling any pressure as they prepare for their critical World Cup opener against […]

Miracle worker Capuozzo can make difference

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER ITALY Coach: Kieran Crowley Captain: Michele Lamaro Resurgent Italy may have landed the toughest of groups but they have nothing to lose […]

Dupont’s in mood to prove he is the best

3 September 2023 0 comments

By JAMES HARRINGTON FRANCE Coach: Fabien Galthie Captain: Antoine Dupont Fly-half Romain Ntamack, loosehead Cyril Baille, centre Jonathan Danty and, now, second row Paul Willemse. […]

Los Teros will be looking to add to their famous victory over Fiji

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER URUGUAY Coach: Esteban Meneses Captain: Andres Vilaseca Uruguay are beginning to shed upstart status. This will be their fifth Rugby World Cup […]

Welwitschias still looking for their first win

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER NAMIBIA Coach: Allister Coetzee Captain: Johan Deysel INDEPENDENCE from South Africa, in 1990, came a little too late for Namibia to make […]

All Blacks are still the team to beat

3 September 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES NEW ZEALAND Coach: Ian Foster Captain: Sam Cane This year’s World Cup is unusual in a number of respects, not least that […]

Cotter hopes the Oaks will not be easy to cut down

3 September 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK ROMANIA Coach: Eugen Apjok Captain: Christian-Marian Chirica ROMANIA return to the World Cup after missing out four years ago due to a […]