Japan was thwarted in their quest to further shake the chains of the rugby world as they were defeated 45-10 by Scotland at Kingsholm. The score didn’t completely reflect the effort put in by Japan. The Brave Blossoms only trailed 12-7 at halftime and were as close as 12-10 in …
Read More »South Africa Make Eight Changes for Samoa
South African Head Coach Heyneke Meyer has made eight changes to the Springboks starting lineup for Saturday’s pool match against Samoa in Birmingham. Having lost first up against Japan the match is a must win for the 1995 and 2007 World Cup winners. Toulon back-rower Duane Vermeulen has been declared …
Read More »RWC Forecast Round 2a
Predictions take 2… a? As the ’rounds’ start to mesh in with each other, we’re going to have to break up our week into two parts, so here are the mid-week matches from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Before we get into it, a quick review of what happened last round. …
Read More »Namibia names team to face All Blacks
Phil Davies has named Namibia’s team for their opening World Cup fixtures against New Zealand on Thursday. The Welwitschias will ride a four-test win streak into the tournament, including two convincing wins over Russia in Windhoek during July. The lineup appears to be largely first choice, with Cheetahs hooker Torsten …
Read More »All Blacks Change 12 for Namibia
New Zealand Head Coach Steve Hanson has rung the changes with only three players named to start against Namibia who also did so against Argentina on Sunday. Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea and Sam Whitelock are those retained with Richie McCaw’s replacement Sam Cane also taking over the captaincy. So strong …
Read More »Japan Set to Remain RWC 2019 Hosts
The governing body of the sport of rugby, World Rugby is expected to confirm that Japan will remain the host nation of Rugby World Cup 2019. The Asian country had come under fire from World Rugby after construction of the new national stadium was cancelled. According to L’Equipe Japan will …
Read More »Allen ruled out of World Cup
Hat-trick hero Cory Allen will take no further part in the World Cup. The news will come as yet another hammer blow to Wales, already short of Jonathan Davies in the midfield and trio Rhys Webb, Leigh Halfpenny, and Eli Walker ruled out before the tournament. Allen tore a hamstring …
Read More »Japan change six for Scotland
Eddie Jones has freshened up his side with six changes to the starting side that stunned the world with a victory over the Springboks on Saturday. Despite the changes, the side has not lost any strength and if anything is perhaps a bit stronger. Rotation in the tight five sees …
Read More »Full strength Romania to face France
Romania will make their World Cup entrance on Wednesday against France at the Olympic Stadium. Head coach Lynn Howells has selected his strongest possible side for the Pool D match-up, making only one change to the run-on side that faced Tonga in the final warm-up match in Bucharest earlier this …
Read More »Scotland name team for World Cup bow
Vern Cotter has named his first Scottish team of the World Cup for what promises to be an enormously interesting game at Kingsholm on Wednesday with giant-killers Japan lined up as opponents. Cotter has taken no chances and named a very strong lineup to face the Brave Blossoms. Grant Gilchrist …
Read More »