A try in the 75th minute from Fourie du Preez put the Springboks into the semi-final as they survived a remarkable performance from Wales at Twickenham. Dan Biggar’s penalty goal some 10 minutes earlier had put Wales into the lead, and some resolute defense kept South Africa off the boad …

Ireland have suffered another hammer blow ahead of their quarter-final against Argentina on Sunday as Jonny Sexton has been forced to withdraw with a groin injury. The star goal kicker was injured in the final pool game against France but was earlier in the week declared fit for duty. Sadly …

Well the pool stages are now done and dusted, 40 matches gone by the wayside with 12 teams back for an early round of golf. That means it’s business time, and there are some tasty match-ups for the quarters, with zero unanimous picks! The standings after the pool stages have …

Wallaby stars Israel Folau and David Pocock will miss out on the quarter-final against Scotland through injury. Australia’s impressive strength in depth, however, is apparent with Kurtley Beale lining up at fullback and Ben McCalman filling in at the back of the scrum. Michael Hooper returns from suspension to take …

Scotland will have to make due without first choice forwards Ross Ford and Jonny Gray for their quarter-final fixture against the Wallabies on Sunday. The pair were suspended for three weeks for a dangerous double-tackle on Jack Lam in the final pool match against Samoa. An appeal will be heard …

Jebb Sinclair has been named on the flank for London Irish as they host Leicester Tigers at the Madejski Stadium in Reading on Sunday. The fixture kicks off the Aviva Premiership season for the two teams with high hopes after a busy off-season of acquisitions. Sinclair returns for his fifth …

Titi Lamositele has been named on the bench for Saracens as the Aviva Premiership club hosts Sale Sharks in their season opener at Allianz Park on Saturday. The US Eagles prop fills in for Juan Figallo as reserve tighthead after the Argentine was called up to the Pumas’ World Cup …

Former USA international Todd Clever has been named to the starting lineup for the Newcastle Falcons in their Aviva Premiership opener against Gloucester today. Clever will start at No. 8 for a side that boasts a number of current and former internationals. The former Eagle Captain has impressed the Falcons …

Argentina Head Coach Daniel Hourcade has rolled out his most experienced lineup to face off against Ireland in their Rugby World Cup Quarterfinal match on Sunday at the Millennium Stadium. The group boasts a total of 496 caps between the members of the side making them one of the most experienced …

Uruguayan veteran Rodrigo Capó Ortega will lead Castres from the second-row in this weekend’s Top 14 fixture against Stade Français in Paris. Castres 15 Palis, 14 Smith, 13 Wulf, 12 Lamerat, 11 Martial, 10 Dumora, 9 Seron, 8 Tulou, 7 Bias, 6 Caballera, 5 Capo Ortega, 4 Samson, 3 Wihongi, …

Just two days out of facing the world’s number one in a Rugby World Cup Quarter Final the players from the lower ranked nation have staged a revolt against their coach, Phillipe Saint-André which has been reported to have left France without a coach and the players thereby coaching themselves. …

Argentine international Patricio Fernández has been named among the replacements for Clermont’s home match against Pau on Friday. The 2015 European Rugby Championship Cup runners-up will play host to last season’s second division winners in a fifth round match. Fernández, 21, is playing his first season of professional rugby. He …

Welsh Head Coach Warren Gatland has named bulked-up his pack for Saturday’s Quarter Final clash against South Africa in London. The Pool A runners-up have gone for size in the pack rather than mobility in an effort to reach a second-consecutive Rugby World Cup Semi Final. Starting together with captain …

Argentine Manuel Carizza has been named in the second-row for Racing 92. The Parisian suburban club will face Oyonnax away on Friday evening in a fifth round match of the Top 14. Carizza was left out of Argentina’s Rugby World Cup player roster by Daniel Hourcade who had fielded him …

New Zealand Headcoach Steve Hansen has made four changes to his starting lineup from that which faced Tonga in Newcastle on Friday. Wyatt Crockett, Brodie Retallick, Richie McCaw and Julian Savea all return to give the All Blacks their strongest possible team for Saturday’s must-win match against France. In a …

French Head Coach Phillipe Saint-André has named his line-up for Saturday’s Quarter Final against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The fixture is to be a repeat of the fixture from eight years ago in which the host nation of Rugby World Cup 2007 played and defeated the …

I have attempted to write this piece twice (three times now) since the start of the World Cup. First attempt was after the Samoa match, then again after Scotland. I had planned to use Talking Rugby as a running commentary on the USA’s World Cup performance. Those plans fell by …

South African Headcoach Heyneke Meyer has recalled winger JP Pietersen in the only change to his starting lineup for South Africa’s Quarter Final encounter against Wales in London on Saturday. The team is otherwise unchanged from that which defeated the USA Eagles last week, also in London. A win for …

A World Cup ending injury to Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro has seen a late change ahead of Sunday’s Quarter Final against Ireland in Cardiff, Wales. The La Plata front-rower suffered a bicep injury in training earlier today and will play no further part in the tournament. This has enabled Salta prop …

In the wake of the disappointing performance from the USA at the Rugby World Cup, multiple sources have confirmed with Americas Rugby News that there could be an announcement from USA Rugby/RIM by the end of the month regarding the creation of a professional competition. USAR/RIM having obviously learned some lessons …