Rugby World Cup News

Brian Ashton has taken a safe route in his selection for the Rugby world Cup.  It is disappointing that he has not taken any of the young backs into his squad for France.  They will all get their day but Nick Abendanon, Dan Cipriani and centre Toby Flood must be disappointed to miss out, especially […]

Eddie O’Sullivan has included Shane Horgan in his 30 man squad despite his knee injury. Horgan will be given until the Georgia game to prove his fitness. This leaves Tommy Bowe on standby in case Horgan does not recover in time. Alan Quinlan’s ability to cover both second row and back row has earned him […]

Japan coach John Kirwan has named his 30-man squad, plus six back-up players, for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup. The 16 forwards include captain Takuro Miuchi, with Kobe Steel wing Daisuke Ohata, the world’s leading try scorer amongst the 14 backs.
The squad includes four New Zealanders and three Tongans, with another Kiwi and a South […]

Backrow forward Inoke Afeaki, competing in his third World Cup, will captain Tonga in the tournament in France. Tonga, who are in the same pool as England, open their World Cup campaign against the USA on 12 September.
Squad:
Forwards: Toma Toke, Mosese Moala, Taufa’ao Filise, Soane Longopoa Tonga’uiha, Siosateki Havea Mata’u, Ephraim Taukafa, ‘Aleki ‘Aho Lutui, […]

Gareth Jenkins has named his 30 man squad for the Rugby World Cup and Gareth Thomas as skipper. Thomas will be part of a leadership group with Alun-Wyn Jones, Mike Owen, Jon Thomas, Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel. There were no major surprises form what had been expected and the full squad is:
Backs: Gareth Cooper, […]

Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has named an experienced 30-man squad for next month’s World Cup finals in France. Four players, including captain Marco Bortolami, have over 50 caps, and all the rest have at least four except the one uncapped player, Manoa Vosawai. The squad have two warm-up games, against Japan on 18 August and […]

The team to play France at Twickenham on the 11th August has been announced. Backs: Abendanon (Bath), Sackey (Wasps), Noon (Newcastle), Catt (London Irish, capt) Lewsey (Wasps), Barkley (Bath), Perry (Bristol)
Forwards: Sheridan (Sale), Regan (Bristol), Stevens (Bath), Shaw (Wasps), Kay (Leicester), Haskell (Wasps), Moody (Leicester,) Dallaglio (Wasps).
Replacements: Mears (Bath), Vickery (Wasps), Corry (Leicester), Worsley (Wasps), […]

Wales blood a new cap in the Gloucester lock Will James. Wales have other changes forced on them by the loss of Gavin Henson and Ryan Jones to injury, both of the being set to miss the Rugby world Cup as well. Colin Charvis starts at open side with Alun Wyn Jones on the blind. […]