Japan

Eddie Jones has left the funny business behind, and selected a team with only minor surprises for the match against the Springboks on Saturday. After toying with Hendrik Tui on the wing against Georgia, he has moved the loose forward back to no8, choosing the more conventional approach with speedsters …

Springboks Head Coach Heyneke Meyer named Jean de Villiers as captain of a vastly experienced lineup to face Japan in his team’s Rugby World Cup opening fixture. In what is to, remarkably, be the first ever test match between the countries de Villiers is to lead a side with a …

Pool B contains sides of relatively even quality outside clear favorites South Africa. Most would expect Scotland to come out as the second place finishers, but they aren’t so far ahead of the others that it’s a guarantee, particularly against experienced spoilers Samoa. Japan could be the surprise package of …

Often the success or failure of an international coach comes down to how his team performed on the grandest stage of them all, the Rugby World Cup. Negative results in previous months or even years are often forgiven in exchange for delivering memorable victories when it matters most. Differing Judgement …

A popular topic of debate heading into the World Cup is that of eligibility, particularly that resulting from the residency method. Americas Rugby News takes an in-depth look at the foreign-born players in each squad, where they were born and how they are eligible. An interesting fact – only Argentina …

Just a week away from the biggest show in the rugby-verse, let’s take a look at some of the interesting numbers for you trivia-minded folk heading into the Rugby World Cup. BIGGER IS BETTER There will be some seriously tall timber on display during the tournament. Five players top 205cm …

Samoa have been forced into a late change with Leicester Tigers front-rower Logovi’i Mulipola having been forced out of the Rugby World Cup. He has been replaced by veteran Toulouse tighthead prop Census Johnson who will join up with Samoa’s squad on Monday. A teammate of Patricio Albacete, Johnston is to …

Following international matches this weekend the Final World Rankings have been posted before the Rugby World Cup. Confirmed as the world’s top four are New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England in that order. This means that only Pool D lacks a side ranked among the best heading into the …

Rugby World Cup 2019 hosts Japan made it three in a row today as the Asian champions completed a hard-fought 13-10 win over Georgia in Gloucester. Amanaki Lelei Mafi was the hero as the replacement prop went over two minutes from full time to put Japan in front for the …

Reports out of South Africa claim that South Africa may replace Japan as the host nation for Rugby World Cup 2019. A number of sites including Super Sport and Rugby Mag are reporting that South Africa could be asked to be on standby to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup following …