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WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England hope to have all bases covered should "cunning" South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus try to spring a tactical surprise in the World Cup final.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Unlike in previous World Cup’s, the All Blacks’ latest loss has been handled remarkably well by the wider public, according to New Zealand media reports.

The final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be played in Yokohama, Japan, will absorb the interest of the rugby world this weekend, and all referees and other sensible people would want to wish Jérôme Garcès the best of matches.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: We look at three key head-to-head contests as England look to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time and South Africa a third.

The ninth Rugby World Cup Final will be played in Japan at the weekend. Just to refresh the memory of finals past, we have given some details the first eight of these dramatic matches.

WATCH as French referee Jérôme Garcès speaks about being appointed to referee the World Cup Final between England and South Africa.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: When Rassie Erasmus was first appointed South Africa coach in early 2018, the first call he made was to his most trusted right-hand man, defence coach Jacques Nienaber.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: As one of the hottest properties in Rugby Union, South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe has made his mark as a free-roaming wing with lightning footwork and a sprinter's acceleration.

WORLD CUP THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF: Highly respected Kiwi coaches Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland will bow out of the international game after Friday.

WORLD CUP TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has named his team to play South Africa in the Final on Saturday.

LISTEN as @King365ed and @LoffieEloff welcome former @Springboks flyhalf @APetoors10 - the trio unpacking the @rugbyworldcup Final.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand legend Kieran Read wants to sign off with a drop goal when he leads out the All Blacks for the last time - but fears his leg might fall off.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wales coach Warren Gatland joked Wednesday that a drinking game should settle third place at the World Cup as he prepares his disappointed players to face New Zealand.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England go head to head with South Africa in Yokohama on Saturday with the World Cup trophy on the line – but where will the game be won and lost?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England have been fined for crossing the halfway line in their response to New Zealand's haka before last week's World Cup semifinal.

NEWS: There has been a complete reshuffle of the pecking order after the World Cup semifinals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones's coaching career is set to come full circle when his England side face South Africa in Saturday's World Cup final in Yokohama.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones has urged his side to "play with no fear" against South Africa in the World Cup Final, despite the Springboks' history of physical intimidation.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus has led South Africa from the depths of despair to the World Cup final, his coaching ethos built around handing the Springboks back their role as one of the sport's traditional powerhouses.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Lions will finalise their coaching structures in the next week reveals newly appointed head coach Ivan van Rooyen.

NEWS: A nightclub has filed a criminal complaint against Uruguay rugby players after they allegedly caused thousands of dollars damage on a night out during the World Cup, its lawyer said Thursday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Worcester Warriors midfielder Scott van Breda has joined the Southern Kings squad on loan for the remainder of their tour.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: It wasn't much of a spectacle, but it had a hugely tense finish as South Africa slotted a penalty with four minutes to go to break Welsh hearts and book a Final showdown with England.

WORLD CUP REACTION: England have been fined for crossing the halfway line during New Zealand's haka after they formed a provocative V-shaped formation.

NEWS: The Lions have revealed their Super Rugby coach for the 2020 season,

WORLD CUP TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: South African coach Rassie Erasmus has named his team for the Final match of the global showpiece - against England on Saturday.

NEWS: Three countries are represented in the nominees for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year 2019 award.

OPINION: Springboks ‘ 19-16 win over Wales was far from the explosive seminal we witnessed between England and All Blacks.

OPINION: It was as unrelentingly physical and kick-dominated as we knew it would be.

WORLD CUP FINAL SPOTLIGHT: England might have dethroned reigning world champions New Zealand, however, it will take a lot more to overpower South Africa's pack.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England fullback Elliot Daly expects South Africa to give "X-factor" wing Cheslin Kolbe "as much ball as possible".

The contenders for the International Rugby Players (IRP) Try of the Year 2019 have been revealed.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England's legendary World Cup-winner Jonny Wilkinson has warned against getting embroiled in a tight "arm-wrestle" against a "smothering" South Africa side in Saturday's final.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks will need all their best players available if they are to knock over England in Saturday's World Cup Final.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Once the dust settles from the All Blacks’ 19-7 loss to England, attention will turn to finding a successor to the departing Steve Hansen.

WORLD CUP FINAL SPOTLIGHT: Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and flank Francois Louw will come up against players they know all too well in the World Cup final - England's "kamikaze kids" Tom Curry and Sam Underhill.

NEWS: All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is reportedly weighing up a bold offer from Canada's Toronto Wolfpack that would make him the highest-paid player in both Rugby League and Rugby Union.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen aimed a cheeky dig at Wales on Wednesday when he said this week's third-place play-off would be like a Final for the Six Nations champions.

WORLD CUP FINAL BUILD-UP: England can win a title if they repeat "the intensity and precision" they showed in the 19-7 semifinal victory over New Zealand.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales coach Warren Gatland has made nine changes to the team to play New Zealand in the World Cup third-place play-off match on Friday.

NEWS: Munster defence coach JP Ferreira has extended his contract for a further two years and will remain with the province until June 2022.

SEVENS NEWS: South Africa's Cape Town will host the next World Cup Sevens in 2022.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: For any Springboks threatening to bully their way to the Rugby World Cup title, England's Billy Vunipola has a simple message: "Bring it on."

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa might have been criticised for their dull tactics at the World Cup, but coach Rassie Erasmus has promised more of the same in the final against England on Saturday.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Eddie Jones has responded in typically sharp fashion after Wales coach Warren Gatland questioned whether England had played their World Cup final a week early.

WORLD CUP NEWS: World Rugby has announced that France's Jérôme Garcès will referee the World Cup 2019 Final between England and South Africa.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand icon Sonny Bill Williams said Monday that the All Blacks players needed "bulletproof vests" during a brutal analysis of their devastating 7-19 World Cup semifinal defeat by England.

REACTION: South Africa's Faf de Klerk may have been the smallest man on the pitch but that did not stop the scrumhalf making his presence felt during the Springboks 19-16 win over Wales.

INJURY UPDATE: Southern Kings were dealt a massive blow when they lost their kingpin and flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis to injury during Saturday’s PRO14 Rugby defeat at the hands of Italian side Benetton.

OPINION: It was the match many were billing as the ‘true final’ and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

REACTION: The World Cup final between England and South Africa will not be won by an expansive gameplan and "wonderful tries", Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said after his side battled to a 19-16 semi-final victory over Wales on Sunday.

Jérôme Garcès of France has been appointed to referee the Final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup between England and South Africa in Yokohama on Saturday, 2 November 2019.

REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland has already begun plotting his revenge after his side's hopes of reaching a first World Cup final were dashed by South Africa in Yokohama on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rugby Australia are being urged to bring back Eddie Jones after the Australian coach engineered another historic World Cup triumph.

MATCH REPORT: A late Handre Pollard penalty gave South Africa a nailbiting 19-16 victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in Yokohama on Sunday.

OPINION: England booked the fourth World Cup final in their history on Saturday in Yokohama, as they beat reigning champions New Zealand, 19-7, in the semi-final.

There will be 62 teams playing 31 matches at thee Graeme College Rugby Day on Saturday, 14 March 2020.

Captain Owen Farrell said England didn't want to take a backwards step against New Zealand's haka after they challenged the war dance ahead of their World Cup semifinal victory.

Coach Chean Roux has been forced to make three changes to the squad of players he is taking to Georgia next month. The Sharks require the three for Super Rugby duty.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Steve Hansen may have failed in his quest to deliver New Zealand a third consecutive World Cup, but he will step down having cemented his place in All Blacks history as one of the most successful rugby union coaches of all time.

WORLD CUP REACTION: The Springboks have done it again. Much like they did in 1995 and 2007, the team has united a nation behind them.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Saracens beat Leicester Tigers 24-10 at Welford Road Stadium in what was the latter's first home game of the Premiership campaign.

INJURY UPDATE: England have called up Saracens scrumhalf Ben Spencer as emergency cover for next week's World Cup final after Willi Heinz was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup semifinal match between South Africa and Wales in Yokohama.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Warren Gatland will bow out from his 12-year stint as Wales coach having earned the respect of the sport's powerhouses, but never reaching a World Cup Final.

WORLD CUP REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen turned on a reporter after what he branded as a 'pretty average' question directed at New Zealand captain Kieran Read.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Towering lock Maro Itoje warned England the job wasn't done yet after he inspired a stunning World Cup semifinal victory over New Zealand with a man-of-the-match performance.

WORLD CUP REACTION: The All Blacks' World Cup semifinal defeat stunned New Zealand on Saturday as dreams of a third consecutive crown were crushed by a superior England side.

NEWS: The Wallabies will face Ireland and the All Blacks at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium next year, Rugby Australia has announced.

WATCH all the weekend's World Cup semifinal highlights

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Among those participating at a third World Cup in Japan is a woman who never dared dream that she might one day have a chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wales and South Africa clash on Sunday in a blockbuster World Cup semifinal between the Six Nations champions and Rugby Championship title-holders.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi believes his team is well-equipped to handle the pressure in their World Cup semifinal against Wales on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Stats are like puppets, reach deep enough and you can make them say anything. Here's what they say about game plans for the semifinals.

Ridiculous! That is what many rugby voices are shouting in protest against the suspension of Jaco Peyper, one of the referees at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

PRO14 SATURDAY WRAP: Tom Farrell’s last-gasp try ended the Cheetahs’ unbeaten start to the Pro14 season in a tense match that included six tries and a red card in Galway.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa wing Makazole Mapimpi's rugby journey started in a poor rural area, passed through family tragedy and his "very special story" now extends to a World Cup semifinal against Wales.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Former All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter has shared an insight into his headspace leading into the 2015 World Cup knockout matches on the eve of New Zealand’s World Cup semi-final clash with England.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wales are hoping the experience of "must-win" Test rugby in their squad will make the difference for the Six Nations champions when they take on South Africa.

WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL: This match is business. In all knock-out matches, there is a chasm between victory and defeat.

REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones paid tribute to his side's defensive effort as they stunned defending champions New Zealand 19-7 to reach the World Cup final on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: Sale Sharks bounced back from opening weekend disappointment to hammer in six tries as they eased past London Irish 41-7 at the Madejski Stadium.

PRO14 WRAP: Munster nudged their noses ahead in Conference B, as Arno Botha struck late in a bonus-point win over Ospreys.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Bath edged out Exeter Chiefs with a 13-10 victory on a soggy night at the Recreation Ground.

WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL BUILD-UP: Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard has warned South Africa against falling into the trap laid by a "suffocating" Wales ahead of Sunday's showdown in Yokohama.

WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL SPOTLIGHT: The semifinal between South Africa and Wales is set to be a 'kicking fest' believes head coach Warren Gatland.

WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL BUILD-UP: Wales scrumhalf Gareth Davies said that the Six Nations champions had a score to settle with South Africa.

WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL BUILD-UP: Ex-World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has offered England a comprehensive plan to dethrone the All Blacks in Yokohama on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: England produced an outstanding performance to shock defending champions New Zealand 19-7 in a pulsating World Cup semi-final in Yokohama on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England and New Zealand clash on Saturday in a blockbuster World Cup semifinal between the top two teams in the global rankings.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa and Wales will meet in Sunday's semifinal in Yokohama.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup semifinal match between New Zealand and England in Yokohama.

WOLRD CUP SEMIFINALS: England coach Eddie Jones heads into a World Cup semifinal against New Zealand taking inspiration from legendary football manager Alex Ferguson.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The 'coaching' part of his job title may disappear, but don't expect Rassie Erasmus to go sit behind a desk.

WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL BUILD-UP: Recalled England flyhalf George Ford is adamant they were willing to "embrace the pressure" against the world champions.

NEWS: Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie is all but confirmed as the next Wallabies head coach.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Round Four of the PRO14 returns in style this weekend after a much-storied previous round where the undefeated Championship sides were whittled down to three.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: After the closest set of opening round matches for almost a decade, we now move to Round two of Premiership Rugby which starts with another rip-roaring west country derby, this time Bath hosting the Exeter Chiefs.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England lock Courtney Lawes is confident the All Blacks will know exactly who England's players are come the end of their World Cup semifinal on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL BUILD-UP: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen dismissed England counterpart Eddie Jones' spying claims as a "clickbait distraction".

NEWS: England coach Eddie Jones backed his Wallabies counterpart Michael Cheika to "rise again" on Thursday after masterminding the World Cup quarter-final defeat that brought his five-year tenure to a close.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest has blamed the leadership of Rugby Australia for the Wallabies' failings at the recent World Cup.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus reveals his team to face Wales in their World Cup semifinal on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England have recalled George Ford at flyhalf for their World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, coach Eddie Jones announced Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Defending champions New Zealand have made one change to their side to play England in Saturday's World Cup semifinal, a match coach Steve Hansen hoped would be one "for the ages".

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Warren Gatland has made three changes to his Wales team to face the Springboks in their World Cup semifinal on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England face reigning champions New Zealand in a World Cup semifinal in Yokohama on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Hadleigh Parkes' circuitous route to a shoo-in as Wales' inside centre passed via a season in South Africa, a season the Kiwi said was spent on safari and sunbathing.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales fullback Liam Williams out of Sunday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa – according to reports.

WORLD CUP ANALYSIS: The has been unprecedented in various ways. What might the semifinals hold, then?

Listen as @King365ed and @LoffieEloff unpack all the drama around the @rugbyworldcup semifinals.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: One of the world's most prolific flank David Pocock may turn to politics following his retirement.

WORLD CUP DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina, who retired from Test rugby after being sent off in the quarterfinal loss to Wales, was suspended for six weeks.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wales represent a clear and present danger to South Africa's title hopes when the sides go head-to-head in the semifinal in Yokohama on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: If England is to make it to their fourth Final on Saturday, they going to need to turn in their best performance of the tournament.

NEW DEVELOPMENT: Michael Cheika first lifted the lid on his broken relationship with Rugby Australia bosses, after confirming he will quit as Wallabies coach at the end of the year.

NEWS: Veteran Springbok Heinrich Brüssow has announced his retirement with immediate effect.

Watches as former England rugby star-turned MMA fighter James Haskell blows up at World Rugby over their handling of the Jaco Peyper saga.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa and Wales will face off in the semifinal on Sunday. Can you remember the last time they went head-to-head at the global showpiece?

Damian de Allende of South Africa thought he had scored a try - and so did millions of South African supporters.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wales will be sending out their best players to face the Boks even if they are still injured.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: The Cheetahs will take a more measured approach on their three-match tour.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Japan's Rugby Football Union will seek to keep Jamie Joseph as coach after he took the Brave Blossoms to a historic World Cup quarter-final at home, its president said Thursday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Ben Youngs is hoping to add to his family's impressive record against the All Blacks when England take on New Zealand in a World Cup semifinal on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Joe Marler was taken aback on Tuesday when reminded at a media conference that he personally hasn’t beaten New Zealand in any of the five matches he has featured against them.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus embraced transformation with such vigour that he has moved well beyond the 50 percent 'target' set for him and his team.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen is predicting a "mighty clash" in this weekend's heavyweight semifinal with England.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Duane Vermeulen believes South Africa have to nullify Wales’ “talisman” Alun Wyn Jones’ lineout threat if they want to secure a spot in the final.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The top four nations in the World Rankings will contest the World Cup 2019 semi-finals after South Africa climbed one place to fourth on the back of ending the dreams of host Japan.

Semifinals have always been the cutting edge of Rugby World Cups. Win and it's such a relief to be in the final. Lose and you are in the most unwanted match of the World Cup - the third-place playoff. We recall the semifinals from 1987 on.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Following the decision not to consider Jaco Peyper as a referee the semifinals this weekend for a picture taken with Welsh fans, World Rugby have received some heavy criticism from fans on social media.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Former New Zealand boss turned England defence coach John Mitchell has suggested the All Blacks may have been spying on their opponents ahead of Saturday's World Cup semifinal.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe has the lightning pace and physical build reminiscent of England's World Cup winner Jason Robinson.

Once there were 20; now there are four. And suddenly, with a thump, we are down to the last four matches of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a wonderfully colourful and joyous rugby jamboree while 16 teams have gone home.

The 2019/2020 Premiership season kicked off this past weekend and there were a number of standout performers.

NEWS: A new high-performance centre for the Wasps is set to be created in Henley-in-Arden after the sale of a 13-acre site close to the town.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika says the Wallabies' next coach should "definitely" be Australian.

SEVENS SPOTLIGHT: Experience alone will not get the BlitzBoks over the advantage line or put points on the board.

WORLD CUP NEWS: All Blacks captain Kieran Read skipped training on Tuesday ahead of their World Cup semifinal.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones believes his squad's training session at the World Cup on Tuesday was filmed by someone in a nearby apartment block.

ANALYSIS: There was a marked difference in what happened at the scrums in the first two quarterfinals of the 2019 World Cup.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wallabies captain Michael Hooper defended Australia's outgoing coach as he led his crestfallen team back home on Tuesday.

OPINION: The Springboks' pack performed like a well-oiled machine against Japan and it laid the foundation for their 26-3 quarterfinal win.

WORLD CUP NEWS: Wales have revealed Josh Navidi's replacement

WORLD CUP NEWS: World Rugby has announced the match officials for the World Cup 2019 semifinals at International Stadium Yokohama this weekend.

WORLD CUP REACTION: The mystery surrounding the Springboks' different jerseys in the quarterfinal win over Japan has been solved.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wales are very aware of the challenge South Africa pose and what they are capable of says head coach Warren Gatland.

NEWS: Pau's two-time World Cup winner Colin Slade will be rested for three months after suffering a third concussion in the space of a year in accordance with Top 14 rules, the French club said on Monday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Jones believes England have the weapons to upset New Zealand in this weekend's World Cup semifinal - as long as his players are not dazzled by the All Blacks' stardust.

OPINION: Japan put up a big fight in the first half against the Springboks, but in the end, the Springboks' power up front proved to be too much.

OPINION: Throughout this tournament, Wales have backed their defence against broken field brilliance but this felt like a defensive effort too far.

SPOTLIGHT: If it depended on the size of his smile, Seabelo Senatla would have had to pay for oversize luggage when the BlitzBoks boarded a flight to London.

NEWS: France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina announced his international retirement on Monday after being sent off in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Wales.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick said the All Blacks would have to be "on their game" in the semifinal against England.

TRANSFER NEWS: Springboks and Lions lock Marvin Orie is set to join Welsh PRO14 side Ospreys.

NEWS: Hugh Sinclair, who notched his 100th appearance in the Shute Shield in 2019, has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal.

SPOTLIGHT: Former skipper Andrew Slack says an independent review should come before Rugby Australia rushes to replace Wallaby coach Michael Cheika.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Wales won't be celebrating anything until they win the tournament.

REACTION: Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle says she already has a list of targets to be the new Wallaby coach.

INJURY UPDATE: Wales loose forward Josh Navidi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a hamstring injury.

REACTION: World Cup referee Jaco Peyper has sparked anger after posing for a photo with Wales fans in which he appeared to mimic the elbow that led to Sebastien Vahaamahina's quarter-final red card.

WORLD CUP REACTION: South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus admitted his team was "very nervous" leading only 5-3 at half-time against Japan in Sunday's quarterfinal.

OPINION: A game defined by Sebastien Vahaamahina’s inexplicable elbow to Wales’ Aaron Wainwright.

PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Newly-promoted London Irish are back in the Premiership with a huge bang after overcoming Wasps 29-26 in an exhilarating match at the Ricoh Arena.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk led a tackling blitzkrieg to help South Africa snuff out Japan's chance to show off the pace they had to burn out wide in a 26-3 World Cup quarterfinal victory on Sunday.

WORLD CUP REPORT: The Springboks booked their place in the World Cup semifinals with a 26-3 win over Japan in their quarterfinal on Sunday.

WORLD CUP REACTION: South African referee Jaco Peyper has sparked anger, after posing for a photo with Wales fans in which he appeared to mimic the elbow that led to Sebastien Vahaamahina's quarterfinal red card.

WORLD CUP NEWS: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika quit Sunday after their humiliating World Cup quarterfinal exit against England.

INJURY UPDATE: England "expect" Jack Nowell will be available as a member of a fully fit squad for their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Yokohama on Saturday following the wing's hamstring injury.

Watch all the past weekend's World Cup quarterfinal highlights!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks have revealed that the much-loved Patrick Lambie, will be making a return to Jonsson Kings Park.

NEWS: Promising New Zealand school-boy star, 17-year-old Jacob Kneepkens has signed with the All Blacks Sevens for two years.

OPINION: So, Ireland’s glass ceiling remains unbroken.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Wales edged 14-man France 20-19 in a cliffhanger quarterfinal to reach the last four of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Japan coach Jamie Joseph insisted rugby in the country was in a "good place" despite his team's 3-26 defeat by South Africa that saw them exit the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup quarterfinal match between hosts Japan and South Africa in Tokyo.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup quarterfinal match between Wales and France.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Wales coach Warren Gatland challenged his players to write history after dodging a bullet in a pulsating World Cup quarterfinal against 14-man France.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Australian rugby has been "plunged back into the darkness" by their "humiliating" quarterfinal World Cup exit, domestic media said Sunday, with calls for coach Michael Cheika to be quickly replaced.

WORLD CUP REACTION: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen hailed his team's stunning 46-14 quarterfinal demolition of Ireland on Saturday as a victory for a winning mentality and a disciplined pack of forwards.

WORLD CUP REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones toasted "runaway rhino" Kyle Sinckler, after the rampaging prop scored his first international try in Saturday's 40-16 quarterfinal rout of Australia.

TOP 14 REPORT: League leaders Lyon lost for the first time in the French Top 14 season suffering an 18-24 defeat at Clermont where flyhalf Jake McIntyre kicked all the home side's points in heavy rain.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Modern greats David Pocock and Will Genia are among eight players departing the Wallabies on a dismal note to take up offshore club contracts next year.

OPINION: England extended their winning streak over Australia to seven games on Saturday, as the age-old rivals met in Oita and England booked their place in the Rugby World Cup semifinals.

WORLD CUP ANALYSIS: If Ireland versus New Zealand was a battle between Johnny Sexton and Beauden Barrett, the current and former World Players of the Year, the All Blacks playmaker was the undisputed winner.

INJURY UPDATE: The All Blacks will be without one of their players for their World Cup semifinal against England next weekend.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Eddie Jones warned England to prepare for a "better samurai around the corner".

OPINION: New Zealand has disposed of Ireland 46-14 to get their World Cup play-off campaign off to a successful start.

PREMIERSHIP WRAP: James Grayson landed a late penalty as Northampton stunned champions Saracens in the Premiership opener at Allianz Park.

OPINION: The scoreboard doesn’t do justice to this Australia performance, with two England tries against the run of play doing a disservice to the Wallabies on-field performance.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: How much does experience matter - if it matters at all?

WORLD CUP NEWS: Wales suffered a late setback.

TOP 14 WRAP: Fiji wing Timoci Nagusa celebrated his 200th Montpellier game by scoring in a 33-22 victory over French champions Toulouse on Saturday.

WORLD CUP MATCH REPORT: Aaron Smith scored two early tries to start a rout that saw New Zealand beat Ireland 46-14 in their quarterfinal showdown in Tokyo on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between New Zealand and Ireland in Tokyo.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Wing Jonny May scored two tries in three first-half minutes as England beat Australia 40-16 on Saturday to become the first team to reach the Rugby World Cup semifinals.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between England and Australia in Outa.

UPDATE: Israel Folau has told a conservative Christian conference he would 'absolutely' repeat the social media post that led to his sacking.

NEWS: The cash-strapped Western Province Rugby Football Union is heading back to courts in the latest episode of its ongoing battle.

BREAKING NEWS: Troubled former Lions coach and Springbok assistant Swys de Bruin wasted no time in moving on.

MATCH REPORT: Bristol secured the West Country bragging rights over Bath with a thumping 43-16 win before a record Ashton Gate crowd.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa need to surprise the World Cup hosts this weekend with variety if they are to win their quarterfinal clash in Tokyo on Sunday, believes former captain Jean de Villiers.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Three head-to-heads for the World Cup quarterfinal between Wales and France in Oita on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Three head-to-heads for the World Cup quarterfinal between hosts Japan and South Africa in Tokyo on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Japan have only played South Africa once at a Rugby World Cup but it was one of the most famous games in the tournament's history and produced one of the biggest shocks in sport.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Three head-to-heads for the World Cup quarterfinal between defending champions New Zealand and Ireland on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Three head-to-heads for the World Cup quarterfinal between England and Australia in Oita on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: That Japan are preparing for the biggest match in their history, a World Cup quarter-final showdown against South Africa on Sunday, is a testament of their rapid improvement over the past five years.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton happily stuck to his pre-match routine ahead of the quarterfinal with defending champions New Zealand.

NEWS: England will welcome three big Southern Hemisphere teams in November 2020.

WORLD CUP QUARTERFINAL SPOTLIGHT: South Africa can make amends for a dismal episode four years ago against Japan by eliminating the hosts at this tournament.

REACTION: France coach Jacques Brunel has expressed his surprise at the presence of Dan Biggar in Wales' line-up for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has named his team for their World Cup quarterfinal against Wales on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has revealed his team to face France in their World Cup quarterfinal on Sunday.

WORLD CUP QUARTERFINAL: Rival coaches Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika have both sprung selection surprises heading into a "do or die" World Cup quarterfinal between England and Australia but there are sound reasons behind their dramatic decisions.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph made one injury-enforced change to his starting XV for Sunday's World Cup quarterfinal against South Africa.

WORLD CUP QUARTERFINAL: Defending champions New Zealand are ready to conquer their nerves and seize the slightest opportunity when they take on Ireland on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Australian playmaker Matt To'omua has sledged a few of England's players.

WORLD CUP QUARTERFINAL: This may just be the biggest occasion in the global showcase's history.

There have been 37 matches played at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, There are just eight to be played, seven vital matches which will decide the en[]eventual winner.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones insisted he was "proud" of Australia boss Michael Cheika.

WORLD CUP QUARTERFINAL: France will need to raise their game "two or three times over" to beat Wales on Sunday.

NEW BEGINNINGS: The 2019-20 Premiership season explodes into life this Friday when a sell-out crowd heads to Ashton Gate as Bristol Bears open their campaign at home to Bath.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand players and coaching staff may be paying due respect to Ireland ahead of their quarterfinal clash on Saturday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa acknowledged that they face a massive tactical battle when they take on hosts Japan in a quarterfinal in Tokyo on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Ireland and New Zealand have met only once at the World Cup, a game the All Blacks won - but they haven't had things all their own way in recent years.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Quarter-final opponents France and Wales are no strangers, owing to their annual clashes in the Six Nations, but their World Cup history is so far limited to one game: a tempestuous semi-final in 2011.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Wales squad has to honour Warren Gatland's legacy by giving the departing coaching staff "a send-off they deserve" says Josh Navidi.

OPINION:  There is very little to change when it comes to the All Blacks gameplan, however, how they counter the rush defence is an area which certainly needs a little bit more attention. 

WORLD CUP NEWS: Japanese police were investigating on Thursday after Uruguay players at the World Cup allegedly damaged property and tackled a staff member at a Kumamoto nightclub.

WORLD CUP UPDATE: Ireland opted not to appeal Bundee Aki's three-match ban for a high tackle on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has named his team to face Japan in their World Cup quarterfinal on Sunday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia coach Michael Cheika on Thursday named teen sensation Jordan Petaia in his starting side to face England in this weekend's World Cup quarterfinal in a bold gamble.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Eddie Jones has named his team to face Australia in their World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.

NEWS: Former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer received a vote of confidence from Stade Francais owner Hans-Peter Wild on Thursday despite the Paris giants sitting rock bottom of the French Top 14.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Joe Schmidt has kept the changes to a minimum for Ireland’s World Cup quarterfinal clash against New Zealand.

At the first eight World Cups, 12 countries have reached quarterfinals. This year a new country has got there and done really well in getting there. It is Japan, the host nation.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sonny Bill Williams was named on the bench and fellow centre Ryan Crotty missed out altogether as New Zealand named their team for Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal against Ireland.

LISTEN as @King365ed is joined in studio by @LoffieEloff - with the @rugby365com team unpacking the @rugbyworldcup quarterfinals.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Eight stand-out players from the World Cup quarter-finalists, ahead of this weekend's games.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The prestigious tournament has set the scene for some of the great clashes between England against Australia is one of the great rivalries in sport and the World Cup is no different.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Australian coaches Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika will renew a rivalry stretching back more than 30 years.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Springbok pocket-rocket Cheslin Kolbe, one of the stars of the World Cup, admitted Wednesday he had a soft spot for the free-flowing attacking style employed by quarter-final opponents Japan.

WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS: The All Blacks insist they will be switched on for their quarterfinal against Ireland, despite not playing genuine opposition since September.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: France have used their extra week off to prepare well for their quarterfinal clash with Wales, says back row forward Gregory Alldritt.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Scotland attempted to block a Rugby World Cup misconduct charge on Wednesday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Prop Scott Sio senses the improving Wallabies tight five have got their timing right and could be a massive worry for their England counterparts at a World Cup.

WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS: Liam Williams believes Wales's recent history means they can win the global showpiece for the first time.

NEWS: South Africa-born prop Maks Van Dyk, who cheekily asked President Emmanuel Macron for French citizenship at the pre-match presentation of the Top 14 Final in June, is now the proud holder of a French passport.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Oscar Wilde once said: "Rugby is a good occasion for keeping thirty bullies far from the centre of the city."

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Retshegofaditswe Nché will have one last outing for the Cheetahs, before joining the Sharks.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The treatment of rugby's Pacific nations by northern hemisphere powerhouses borders on colonialism, New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey revealed.

WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS: Eddie Jones once described Japan as a "joke team" - before the Australian lit the fuse that sparked an outrageous victory over the mighty Springboks is 2015.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Ireland should not bother to show up at the Tokyo stadium on Saturday.

SUPER RUGBY NEWS: The Australians sure like their code-hoppers - baggage and all!

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England defence coach John Mitchell has paid the ultimate compliment to Michael Cheika's Wallabies ahead of the two teams each other in a World Cup quarter-final this weekend.

REACTION: The referees for next weekend’s World Cup quarter-finals have been announced and Irish fans are slightly nervous about the appointment of Nigel Owens for their contest with the All Blacks in Tokyo.

World Rugby has announced the four referees for the 2019 quarterfinals. For two of them, it will be their third World Cup quarterfinal.

WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS: The spotlight is shining brightly on Japan's fleet-footed wings, but perhaps the bigger threat is the New Zealand blueprint of coach Jamie Joseph.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The Wallabies' flyhalf rotation could continue through the knockout phase, after Christian Lealiifano questioned his own durability.

UPDATE: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has turned to the High Court to prevent an alleged racist assault case from going to the Equality Court, according to media reports.

WORLD CUP NEWS: World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont said the standard of refereeing at the tournament had improved, after organisers took the rare step of admonishing officials for their performance.

NEWS: Japan created history on Sunday after a 28-21 victory over Scotland saw them top Pool A and progress to the quarterfinals for the first time.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Japan's stunning Rugby World Cup performances have made the rest of the game "sit up and notice", World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont said Tuesday, vowing more top fixtures for the Brave Blossoms.

DISCIPLINARY REACTION: Ireland will decide whether to appeal centre Bundee Aki's three-match ban once the written report is received.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 2019 World Cup has officially passed the record for the most red cards issued at a tournament.

NEWS: French club Montpellier won an appeal on Tuesday against a fine imposed last week by the National Rugby League (LNR) for exceeding the league's salary cap.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said his team had "erased" their shocking loss to Japan in the 2015 World Cup's 'miracle of Brighton'.

UPDATE: World Cup organisers filed misconduct charges against Scotland on Tuesday over comments made about Typhoon Hagibis. 

European Professional Club has named the referees for the first two rounds of its 2019-20 seasons of the Heineken Cup and Challenge Cup.

WATCH as we bring five of the best crossfield kicks at World Cup 2019.

NEWS: Waratahs Head Coach Rob Penney has made the finishing touches on his coaching staff for the 2020 Super Rugby season, appointing former Wallabies Matt Cockbain and Mark Bell to his team.

OPINION: It would be churlish to judge Scotland too harshly after another titanic chapter in Japanese rugby history.

OPINION: Wales secured their spot at the top of the pool with a bonus-point victory, although they made hard work of it during an error-riddled 80 minutes.

OPINION: It was 'mission accomplished' by Ireland - a convincing seven-try, 47-5 win over Samoa in Fukuoka.

TRANSFER NEWS: The Waratahs confirmed the signing of Robbie Abel from the Melbourne Rebels on a two-year contract.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The quarterfinal line-up after final group matches on Sunday has been confirmed.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: There is some good news for the Springboks ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal against Japan on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Japan captain Michael Leitch has warned quarterfinal opponents South Africa that lightning can strike twice.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Tournament organisers revealed they would refer Scotland's "disappointing" comments about Typhoon Hagibis to a disputes body.

NEWS: Guy Noves, the most succesful French club rugby coach, said on Monday that he is ending his career, in part because he still feels disgust at being fired by France.

INJURY UPDATE: England star Billy Vunipola is "very likely" to be available for their World Cup quarterfinal against Australia, according to defence coach John Mitchell.

NEWS: Tonga hooker Paula Ngauamo has been handed a seven-week suspension after pleading guilty to kicking a USA opponent in the head on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Kurtley Beale's health status won't be known until midweek but the wellbeing of Australia's backline play will come under immediate focus in their preparation for the World Cup quarter-finals.

World Rugby has announced the match officials for the 2019 quarterfinals of its World Cup, which is now down to its last six matches after 37 pool matches.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen paid tribute Monday to an "awesome" Japan performance at the World Cup.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Past matches between Ireland and New Zealand will be irrelevant when the two teams take the pitch in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, according to All Black coach Steve Hansen.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Ireland have lost a key player ahead of their quarterfinal clash against the All Blacks.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend issued a timely warning to South Africa, ahead of their quarterfinal showdown with Japan.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Three of the quarterfinals will feature pit-rested teams playing against busy opponents, providing a measuring stick of what works best.

PRO14 SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has officially hand over control of the high-flying side on Monday to Hawies Fourie as he departs the franchise to take up the Italian national coaching position.

REACTION: Scotland is set to feel the damage of their early World Cup exit following Sunday’s 21-28 loss to Japan.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Ireland is flying a specialist lawyer into Japan in a bid to keep Bundee Aki’s World Cup alive.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England scrumhalf Ben Youngs believes the team will have to rely on more than their recent record against Australia if they are to avoid a defeat by the Wallabies that will end their World Cup campaign.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Japan scored some sensational tries in their 28-21 win over Scotland in the Pool A decider.

This week's appointments takes us to the end of the pool matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with the knock-out rounds to start.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Japan finished top of Pool A with a sensational 28-21 win over Scotland in a thrilling encounter in Yokohama on Sunday.

OPINION: Australia will celebrate the win, but also acknowledge it was a less than satisfactory performance.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's form has been far from world-class however Johnny Sexton insists his team are hitting their peak ahead of the quarterfinal showdown against All Blacks.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Wales hardly needed to get out of second gear and cruised to a 35-13 win over a willing Uruguayan team in Kumamoto City on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Tonga scored their first win of the tournament, a hard-earned 31-19 triumph over the United States in Higashiosaka City on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Michael Leitch is Japan's poster boy, but like many other players he's not representing his country of birth.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Wales and Uruguay in Kumamoto City.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Tonga and the United States in Higashiosaka City.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Pacy Japan will pit their structured ball-holding and accuracy in attack against a tough-as-teak South Africa side.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: The dramatic change in defensive systems from 2015 to 2015 has forced teams to "evolve" their attacking patterns.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Canada captain Tyler Ardron said he was left with a "pretty disappointing" and "weird" feeling after Typhoon Hagibis forced the cancellation of his side's final match.

TOP 14 WRAP: Stade Francais assistant coach Pieter De Villiers hailed his team's 33-30 win over Toulon as an "important victory" on Sunday.

The youngest national anthem at the 2019 Rugby World Cup is in Pool 5. There is also the first anthem ever used at an international sporting event.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Japan's extreme weather has forced the Wallabies to return to a familiar base to prepare for their probable quarterfinal showdown with England.

PRO14 WRAP: John Cooney scored a double to ensure Ulster ended their South African double-header on a high.

OPINION: The pool stages of the 2019 World Cup are beginning to wrap up and there has been further movement in the power rankings from week two, as a number of sides have now concluded their group stage campaigns.

SPOTLIGHT: We have not yet reached the end of the pool matches and already more players have been sent off (red-carded) at this tournament than at any of the previous eight World Cups.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Samoa appealed to the judiciary not to suspend Ireland centre Bundee Aki.

MATCH REPORT: World Player of the Year Johnny Sexton scored two tries as 14-man Ireland secured a 47-5 bonus-point win over Samoa to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Australia coach Michael Cheika took a pop at England's Eddie Jones on Friday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Ireland and Samoa in Fukuoka City.

WORLD CUP NEWS: Tournament organisers gave the go-ahead for Japan's crunch match against Scotland on Sunday.

BREAKING NEWS: World Cup organisers announced the cancellation of the match between Namibia and Canada due to Typhoon Hagibis.

NEWS: World Cup organisers warned Namibia and Canada about the "potential of cancellation" of their final pool game as Typhoon Hagibis slammed into Japan on Saturday.

NEWS: The Waratahs have promoted Tom Horton and Joey Walton to the senior squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

PRO14 WRAP: The Cheetahs gifted Franco Smith the perfect swansong.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: An angry war of words between Japan and Scotland has injected an element of needle into Sunday's typhoon-threatened clash in Yokohama.

WORLD CUP UPDATE: Powerful Typhoon Hagibis on Saturday claimed its first victim, even before making landfall.

OPINION: Despite being given a real scare by Fiji in the opening 15 minutes of both halves, Wales were able to record a 29-17 victory over the Islanders in Oita and keep control of Pool D.

OPINION: Despite the mass changes, it was an excellent and convincing performance by Scotland.

WORLD CUP REACTION: World Rugby slammed Scotland over a "disappointing" threat of legal action on Friday.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Ireland skipper Rory Best is taking a philosophical approach to Saturday's critical clash with Samoa, keeping calm as Typhoon Hagibis wreaks havoc on the World Cup schedule.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Whatever the outcome of their final pool game against Tonga, USA's assistant coach Greg McWilliams said there are plenty of positives for the Eagles to take out of World Cup 2019.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: England coach Eddie Jones insists Scotland will have only themselves to blame if they are knocked out of the World Cup, as Typhoon Hagibis threatens the Scots' game against Japan.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Wales coach Warren Gatland is billing Sunday's match against minnows Uruguay as a trial for quarterfinal spots.

INJURY UPDATE: South Africa speedster Cheslin Kolbe has an "80 to 90 percent" chance of being fit for next week's World Cup quarter-finals as he races to shake off an ankle injury, coach Rassie Erasmus said on Friday.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: This is the wooden spoon battle in Pool B.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan have handed the captaincy back to talismanic flank Michael Leitch for their typhoon-threatened match against Scotland on Sunday as they bid for a historic World Cup quarterfinal.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Uruguay have made nine changes for the match against Wales in Kumamoto as they look to go out of World Cup 2019 on a high.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Never work with animals, small babies and 1400km-wide typhoons.

BREAKING NEWS: The Lions have parted ways with long-standing coach Swys de Bruin.

In his preparation for Under-20 competition in 2020 in Italy, Chean Roux, coach of the South African Under-20 team, now called the Junior Springboks, has named an Under-19 squad of 30 players to tour Georgia in towards the end of this year.

WORLD CUP MATCH REPORT: Australia sealed their place in the play-offs with a scrappy win in Shizuoka on Friday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: As the World Cup pool stages head into the final round, we look at some of the stand-out players so far:

WORLD CUP NEWS: The devastation of Typhoon Hagibis could send this already-chaotic tournament into the courtroom.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: "One more special hurrah," is the message from captain Siale Piutau as Tonga look to break their World 2019 duck against the USA in Hanazono on Sunday.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: History was made in Round Two of the Pro14 as 53 tries were scored - more than in any other single round in Championship history.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales coach Warren Gatland has made 13 changes to the team that beat Fiji for the final World Cup Pool D match against Uruguay at Kumamoto on Sunday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Australia and Georgia in Shizuoka.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Gregor Townsend revealed his Scotland team for the decisive World Cup Pool A finale against Japan at the International Stadium Yokohama.

REACTION: Italy captain Sergio Parisse made no secret of his utter disappointment at the cancellation of their final Pool B match due to Typhoon Hagibis.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: USA coach Gary Gold has made just three changes to his starting XV for the Pool C match against Tonga in Hanazono on Sunday.

OPINION: South Africa made a big statement during their 66-7 win over Canada.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Skipper David Pocock is demanding a Wallabies performance in their last pool game that makes rivals sit up and take notice.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has urged World Cup chiefs "to do all they can" to make sure his side's must-win match against Japan is played as an incoming super typhoon threatens to end their campaign.

WORLD CUP REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones said Super Typhoon Hagibis had given his team a "great opportunity" on Thursday after their final group game was cancelled for safety reasons.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Canada coach Kingsley Jones has gone for the most experienced line-up he can extract from his squad of 31 for Canada's final match at World Cup 2019.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sacked rugby union star Israel Folau insists he never agreed to proposed limitations on his social media use before posting controversial Instagram remarks which led to the cancellation of his Wallabies contract.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Escaping an incoming super typhoon, Australia will warm up for the quarterfinals with a last Pool D outing on Friday against "tough" Georgia.

INJURY UPDATE: France fullback Thomas Ramos, who was sent home from the World Cup because of a supposedly tournament-ending injury, may play for Toulouse in this weekend's Top 14.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland have made eleven changes for their crucial Pool A decider versus Samoa on Saturday at the World Cup.

LISTEN as @King365ed and @LoffieEloff look at which players might improve the @Springboks in the @rugbyworldcup quarterfinals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Namibia coach Phil Davies has opted for an experienced starting XV as he prepares for his team's match against Canada at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium on Sunday.

PREMIERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: With one week to go until the season starts, Sale Sharks are the team that are showing the most promise from last year.

INJURY UPDATE: Flyhalf Dan Biggar will miss Wales' final World Cup pool game after a sickening head clash in the 29-17 win over Fiji, coach Warren Gatland said on Wednesday.

WORLD CUP NEWS: World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step of cancelling games on Thursday as Super Typhoon Hagibis bears down on Japan.

OPINION: It was back up to Tokyo for the All Blacks, for their second-ever match against Namibia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Samoa coach Vaeluaga Steve Jackson has made just two changes to his side to take on Ireland on Saturday.

NEWS: Two-time World Cup winner Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand has signed with the San Diego Legion, Major League Rugby announced, giving the North American league its biggest star.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Lock RG Snyman put his hand up to be a starter for the Springboks in the quarterfinals after his "phenomenal" performance against Canada on Tuesday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Canada replacement Josh Larsen has received the stock standard three-match ban for his shoulder charge in the 7-66 loss to South Africa.

WATCH as Canada lock Josh Larsen showed nothing but class after being red-carded during his side's 7-66 defeat to South Africa.

WATCH this special performance by the Springboks - their entry in the World Cup has got talent, 2019 edition!

WORLD CUP REACTION: Scotland will have to be "spot-on" when they take on Japan on Sunday for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals, coach Gregor Townsend has warned.

REACTION: Fiji coach John McKee says the Pacific islanders can leave the World Cup with their heads held high after showing their quality in a 17-29 defeat by Wales.

OPINION: In the first real test of England’s Rugby World Cup campaign, they looked professional against Argentina in racking up a bonus-point win and a 39-10 scoreline, even if it could have been an even larger margin.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand have been labeled as 'cynical cheats' while their captain Kieran Read enjoys 'diplomatic immunity' at this year's World Cup.

NEWS: English club rugby player Leigh Dearden has been banned from all sport for four years following an in-competition test on March 23.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Wales and Fiji in Oita.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Scotland will play Japan for a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals after a 26-point haul from Adam Hastings helped them to a nine-try, 61-0 thrashing of Russia on Wednesday.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Scotland and Russia in Shizuoka.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: England will not suffer from any loss of momentum if this weekend's Rugby World Cup clash with France is cancelled due to violent weather, prop Dan Cole insisted Wednesday.

MATCH REPORT: Eliminated Argentina restored some pride with a 47-17 win against the United States at the World Cup.

MATCH REPORT: Wing Josh Adams scored a sensational hat-trick on Wednesday as Wales booked a World Cup quarter-final place with a 29-17 bonus-point win over Fiji, sending Australia through in the process.

NEWS: Scrumhalf Nic White will be returning to Australia.

OPINION: Australia got back to winning ways when they beat Uruguay 45-10 in their World Cup match on Saturday.

WORLD CUP REACTION: South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said the "X-factor" Cobus Reinach was a chip off an old block as the Springbok scrumhalf scored the quickest World Cup hat-trick in a 66-7 rout of Canada

TRANSFER NEWS: England international Steffon Armitage has signed a two-year deal with French second tier side Biarritz, the club announced on Wednesday.

TRANSFER NEWS: Waratahs have secured the signature of highly-rated Shute Shield loose forward, Charlie Gamble for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: After a moment of utter madness, Italy’s Andrea Lovotti was given his marching orders against the Springboks on Friday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Michael Cheika has abandoned his safe and successful formula from the 2015 World Cup, instead turning to selection uncertainty to get the best out of his players in Japan.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Argentina and the United States in Kumagaya City.

WORLD CUP UPDATE: A powerful typhoon that organisers have warned could impact the final weekend of the World Cup pool stage has changed course.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Wales will look to ramp up their performance to another level against Fiji on Wednesday, amid constant reminders of their costly loss to the Pacific islanders in the 2007 World Cup.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between South Africa and Canada in Kobe.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The replay technology used for tight calls in tennis and cricket is being considered as an antidote to the insidious creep of offside infringements in Rugby Union.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Scotland are targeting a bonus-point victory, and nothing less, over Russia on Wednesday to set up a Pool A showdown with hosts Japan for a spot in the quarterfinals.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia coach Michael Cheika has made wholesale changes to his Wallabies side to face Georgia on Friday.

NEWS: Springbok Sevens captain Philip Snyman has announced his retirement from all rugby following a career-ending back injury.

OPINION: Ireland just about bagged a bonus-point win against Russia, but it was the performance the under-pressure side needed.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa hooker (and part-time No.8) Schalk Brits is one of the most popular players on the planet

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Heading into the last round of pool games, only two teams have already booked their quarterfinal places: England and France.

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks booked their spot in the quarterfinals with a comprehensive 66-7 win over Canada on Tuesday.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: The quarter-finals may be out of sight, but Argentina and USA still have plenty riding on it when the two sides meet on Wednesday. 

OPINION: The Springboks overcame a big hurdle on their way to qualification for the play-offs at this year's World Cup when they beat Italy 49-3 on Friday.

NEWS: The Waratahs have confirmed CEO Andrew Hore is leaving to take on the same Super Rugby role at the Blues in Auckland.

REACTION: French club Montpellier said they were victims of a 'Stalinist system' after they were fined €470,000 (US$517,000) for exceeding the Top 14 salary cap.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South Africa may finally throw off the shackles and go from a dour, defence-orientated side to a more dynamic outfit in their final pool match.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Canada and South Africa have played at the global showpiece before. It was a horrible match which will not be even nearly replicated in Kobe on Tuesday.

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Tomas Lavanini, the most sin-binned player in Argentina's history, learns his fate after a high tackle on England captain Owen Farrell at the World Cup.

INJURY UPDATE: Billy Vunipola will discover the severity of his ankle injury on Tuesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Flyhalf Dan Biggar was included in a strong Wales team to face Fiji as Warren Gatland's side look to book their spot in the World Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Russian coach Lyn Jones has made nine changes to his starting line-up for the Bears' final World Cup Pool A match.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Star Wallaby flank David Pocock believes he's less likely to commit a high tackle because of his lack of height.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Scotland have made 14 changes for their third Pool A fixture against Russia in Shizuoka on Wednesday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Juan Manuel Leguizamon will make his first start of the World Cup against the United States in an Argentina team that shows nine changes from the XV that started the defeat against England on Saturday.

WORLD CUP NEWS: World Cup organisers warned Monday that a powerful typhoon forming to the south of Japan could bring fierce winds and torrential rain over the last weekend of the pool stages.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fiji coach John McKee has made one change to his starting XV for the Pool D match against Wales in Oita Stadium on Wednesday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Jordie Barrett's unruffled performance as a makeshift All Blacks flyhalf won the praise of coach Steve Hansen - and put him one up on his big brother, two-time World Player of the Year Beauden.

WORLD CUP REACTION: French celebrations at reaching the World Cup quarterfinals were short-lived Sunday as coach Jacques Brunel rattled off a list of shortcomings to be addressed before they play England next weekend.

NEWS: French club Montpellier have been fined 470 000 euros (517,000 dollars) for exceeding the Top 14 salary cap two seasons ago, the National Rugby League said Monday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Young scrumhalf Ruben de Haas will make his first start for the USA after impressing as a replacement against England and France.

WORLD CUP REACTION: South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus insisted he would never tolerate racism within his squad after a clip on social media appeared to show Springbok Makazole Mapimpi frozen out by white teammates.

WORLD CUP REACTION: A Steve Hansen rocket at half-time ignited New Zealand's second-half turnaround against Namibia at the World Cup on Sunday, culminating in a breathtaking score from TJ Perenara.

WORLD CUP UPDATE: Prop Andrea Lovotti and replacement Nicola Quaglio will miss Italy's last World Cup pool match against New Zealand.

WORLD CUP REPORT: France qualified for the World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday with a nailbiting 23-21 win against Tonga that sets up a winner-takes-all clash with England to top Pool C.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springboks have made 13 changes to their starting XV for Tuesday’s match against Canada in Kobe to manage the four-day turnaround between their final two World Cup pool matches.

MATCH REPORT: New Zealand ran in 11 tries as they smashed minnows Namibia 71-9 at the World Cup on Sunday, putting the defending champions on the brink of a quarter-final place.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Predatory wing Cheslin Kolbe has underlined his status as one of Rugby Union's hottest properties with another scintillating display in South Africa's 49-3 drubbing of Italy.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between France and Tonga in Kumamoto City.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between New Zealand and Namibia in Tokyo.

WORLD CUP REACTION: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said his side's ill-discipline and slow starts were becoming a problem after two yellow cards in their 45-10 win over Uruguay on Saturday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Canada star DTH van der Merwe is relishing the prospect of finally facing his native South Africa in XV-a-side action when the countries meet at the World Cup.

TOP 14 SATURDAY WRAP: Pressure piled on Stade Francais' South African head coach Heyneke Meyer on Saturday after a fifth defeat of the season, 16-46 to Castres, left them bottom of the French Top 14 table.

PRO14 REPORT: An Anthony Volmink hat-trick helped the Cheetahs extend their imperious start to the Pro14 season as they eased to a ruthless 63-26 victory over Ulster in Bloemfontein.

WORLD CUP REACTION: England coach Eddie Jones reveals the extent of Billy Vunipola's injury.

PRO14 REPORT: Munster’s suffocating defence and efficiency in attack helped them to a battling 31-20 bonus-point win as they made it two victories from two by beating the Southern Kings in South Africa.

MATCH REPORT: Hosts Japan conjured the samurai spirit to smash Samoa 38-19 on Saturday and take a giant step towards a historic quarter-final spot at the World Cup.

WORLD CUP REPORT: England became the first team to qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals after beating 14-man Argentina 39-10 in Tokyo on Saturday.

OPINION: The 2019 World Cup is about to enter its third week and there has been some substantial movement in the latest power rankings by Alex Shaw.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: The All Blacks have played Namibia at a World Cup before - in 2015 at the Olympic Stadium. Then New Zealand won 58-14.

PRO14 REPORT: Mark Bennett scored the match-winning try as Edinburgh made it two from two in Conference B with a 19-11 victory over Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park.

PRO14 REPORT: Owen Jenkins scored two tries as Dragons ended a four-and-a half-year wait for an away win in the Pro14 with a 52-28 bonus-point victory at 14-man Zebre.

REACTION: South Africa's rights watchdog on Friday filed legal papers against Springboks World Cup star Eben Etzebeth who has been accused of racial abuse and assault.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between England and Argentina in Tokyo.

Owen Farrell was again the victim of a massive hit where he could have easily been injured.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Teenage wing Jordan Petaia crashed over for a try on his debut as Australia routed Uruguay 45-10 to stay on course for the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Australia and Uruguay in Oita.

WORLD CUP REACTION: A furious Italian coach Conor O'Shea lambasted prop Andrea Lovotti for "crass stupidity".

WORLD CUP NEWS: Italy replacement prop Nicola Quaglio has been cited for his involvement in a tackle on South Africa's Duane Vermeulen.

REACTION: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus toned down the praise of his team after their one-sided win over Italy on Friday.

WORLD CUP NEWS: Cheslin Kolbe twisted his left ankle in the final minutes of the match against Italy.

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Japan and Samoa in Toyota City.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: France go into Sunday's clash with Tonga looking to erase an eight-year nightmare and produce a dominant performance that will keep them on track for a World Cup quarter-final.

It's Pool B's turn to look at its anthems, old and new, including two that are bilingual and one that it multilingual, one that has a reference going back into ancient history.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Ireland are determined that Jordi Murphy will be given the "best chance" to overcome a rib injury and remain at the World Cup.

WORLD CUP REPORT: South Africa took a huge step towards the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday with a 49-3 bonus-point win over Italy, who had a man sent off for a dangerous tackle.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Nineteen-year-old Jordan Petaia will hope to make an immediate impact for Australia when he makes his long-awaited debut in a "grand final" against Uruguay at the World Cup on Saturday.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Italy and South Africa in Shizuoka.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Prop Angus Ta'avao was forced to abandon his Wallaby goal when he was rejected by the Waratahs. Now he's an All Black.

SQUAD UPDATE: France suffered two more injury blows to their World Cup campaign on Thursday.

PRO14 WRAP: Ronan Kelleher's hat-trick helped Leinster continue their imposing start to the season, thanks to an eight-try, 53-5 showing over Ospreys.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jordie Barrett will start at flyhalf for the All Blacks and lock Brodie Retallick returns from a 10-week injury lay-off for Sunday's World Cup match against Namibia in Tokyo.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: England can become the first team to secure a World Cup quarterfinal spot Saturday if they beat an Argentina side battling for survival in a match described as "war".

The Springboks intended to dominate Italy with the sheer power of their forwards, starting with scrums. It was an important part of their strategy. But just 14 minutes into the game, their scrum power was nullified.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: With nearly 400 points scored and 47 tries in Round One – the Pro14 returned to action in eye-catching style last weekend with games taking place across all five participating nations.

SPOTLIGHT: Former Stormers prop Olli Kebble is set to qualify for Scotland within the next 12 months, but for now he has his eyes firmly set on helping Glasgow Warriors go one better this year and win the PRO14.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Johan Deysel returns to the starting XV to captain Namibia against the All Blacks on Sunday.

WORLD CUP POOL MATCH: Tournament hosts Japan go into this weekend's clash with Samoa as favourites after winning their last two meetings.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Ireland are not looking too far ahead after their victory over Russia.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tonga coach Toutai Kefu has again opted for a largely settled starting XV for the Sea Eagles’ Pool C match against France on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: A year after breaking his neck, All Black Sam Cane has put the near-paralysing injury to the back of his mind as he prepares to get his World Cup back on track against Namibia.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Ireland beat Russia 35-0 as they bounced back from their stunning upset by Japan with an important bonus-point win at the World Cup on Thursday.

WORLD CUP REACTION: South African captain Siyamthanda Kolisi has finally broken his silence over the escalating Eben Etzebeth saga.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Braam Steyn may have once dreamt of pulling on the Springbok jersey but has no regrets as he seeks to help Italy provide the fatal blow to South Africa's World Cup hopes.

READERS' FORUM: Welcome to the World Cup pool match between Ireland and Russia in Kobe.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scotland assistant coach Mike Blair has called on World Rugby to extend the length of the World Cup. 

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Jacques Brunel has made 11 changes from the team that played the USA in his starting XV for the Pool C match against Tonga at Kumamoto Stadium on Sunday.

WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: South African captain Siyamthanda Kolisi revealed he was "excited but scared" after an earthquake in the Shizuoka region of Japan in the early hours of Wednesday.

WORLD CUP REPORT: Fiji threw off the shackles with six second-half tries to outclass a willing Georgian team 45-10 in Osaka on Thursday.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Japan coach Jamie Joseph on Thursday made three changes to the starting side who stunned Ireland for this weekend's World Cup Pool A clash with Samoa. 

Two New Zealand schools teams are in action in Hamilton on Fir day - the New Zealand Schools who play Australian Schools/Under-18 and the New Zealand Barbarians Schools who play Fiji Schools.

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Samoa coach Vaeluaga Steve Jackson has responded to his team's 0-34 defeat by Scotland by making six changes to the starting XV to play Japan on Saturday.