RWC 2019

Vunipola out for 10 days

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed Vunipola sustained "a small tear of scar tissue" while featuring as a second-half replacement during Saturday's 57-15 win over Ireland at Twickenham.

News of a small setback comes as a relative boost to England coach Eddie Jones after the Saracens front row was ruled out for three months with a hamstring injury in May – the Ireland game marking his return to action.

Exeter Chiefs' Ben Moon will join up with the squad at their training base in Treviso as a temporary replacement.

Brunel still unsure of final France squad for Rugby World Cup

Brunel initially named a young group of 31 plus six reserves on June 18, more than three months before the start of the tournament in Japan, leaving out Mathieu Bastareaud and Morgan Parra entirely.

But having since worked with the extended squad of 37 and made various changes for injuries, while beating Scotland at home and losing away in back-to-back warm-up matches, Brunel is still pondering his options.

Les Bleus host Italy on Friday in their final match before heading to Japan, where they begin their campaign with a tricky test against Argentina on September 21.

Best concerned by Ireland defeat

Ireland were subjected to a record defeat against England at Twickenham, Manu Tuilagi and Maro Itoje running the show while Joe Cokanasiga scored twice in a 57-15 home win.

The visitors had the opportunity to move to the top of the world rankings with victory but instead go into next week's match with number one side Wales reeling from an awful defeat.

Ireland were extremely sloppy, with their lineouts woeful, and captain Best acknowledged the need for considerable improvement in the coming weeks.

Etzebeth makes Springboks World Cup squad

The Springbok group was cut from 32 players to 31 for the upcoming finals and the squad reveal had threatened to be marred by social media allegations of an incident involving the lock.

However, responding to the reports, Etzebeth provided a categorical denial - and the South African Rugby United (SARU) insisted it will stand by its man unless further informed by authorities.

Flying Fijians wary of Tonga in upcoming final RWC build-up

 Speaking to ‘The Fiji Times’, Head Coach John McKee said they are under no illusion that this game would be no walk in the park.

“Tonga will bring a lot of physicality,” McKee said.

“If you think it was physical against Samoa, you can rank that up with Tonga.”

McKee expects the stands to be flooded with the Tongan red flags and Tongans turning up in numbers wearing red in support for the Ikale Tahi.

Fiji will be walking into a red zone- more Tongan support is expected in Auckland than Fijians.

Star backrower Isa omitted from Argentina World Cup squad

Instead, outsider Rodrigo Bruno got the nod and is among 26 players from Super Rugby runners-up the Jaguares who will travel to Japan for the September 20-November 2 global tournament.

"I was convinced more by other players (than Isa)," Ledesma told reporters after revealing his hand for Pool C matches against France, Tonga, section favourites England and the United States.

"And I wanted to give priority to those playing at home over those based abroad. 

Contrary to what sections of the media thought, Facundo was not a certain choice."

McCaw expects Wallabies to contend for World Cup

Speaking at an event looking ahead to the tournament, McCaw, a two-time World Cup-winner, said he expects Michael Cheika's team to come good at the tournament, despite having won just four of their 13 games last year.

"Knowing Australians like I do, they are competitive, hugely competitive and they will get themselves in good situation to compete," McCaw, who led the All Blacks to victory over the Wallabies in the 2015 final, told Reuters.

"They have got ability to win games now against everyone so you don't want to write them off at all.

Wallabies in line to receive bonus for making Rugby World Cup final

The team will reportedly pocket $25,000 each should they win a semi-final and qualify for the World Cup final and stand to gain $100,000 each if they manage to win the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1999.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Wallabies players receive a $10,000 match payment if they are nationally contracted while non-Rugby AU contracted players take $12,000 a match.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirms he will step down after next year’s World Cup

He said whoever replaced him would bring a new perspective.

"Some fresh eyes, some fresh thinking ... whoever it is will be fresh. It will be for the enhancement of the legacy of the jersey," he said.

Hansen comes off contract with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) after the tournament, which runs next September and October.

He has been Head Coach of the All Blacks since 2012 and prior to that was an Assistant Coach for eight years.

Hansen told media this morning two big reasons for making the choice were what was right for the team, and what was right for his family.

Japanese star records Rugby World Cup 2019 anthem World in Union

With less than a year to go before Rugby World Cup 2019 ™ kicks off in Japan, tournament organisers have announced Japanese artist Kiyoe Yoshioka’s version of World in Union as the tournament’s official anthem.

The lead singer of the pop-rock band Ikimono-gakari, Kiyoe is hugely popular across Japan. Her version of World in Union, with its message of global unity and friendship, is synonymous with Rugby’s global showpiece and is set to be a hit among Japanese rugby fans and Kiyoe’s loyal fanbase throughout Japan.