Rugby Union

Sevu Reece and George Bridge add a “fearless” edge to New Zealand’s squad for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final tie with Ireland, according to assistant coach Ian Foster. Reece and Bridge have both impressed so far for the two-time defending champions in Japan and have made the cut for Steve Hansen’s XV …

England head coach Eddie Jones said “someone is going to die” as he turned up the heat ahead of his side’s Rugby World Cup blockbuster against Australia. A spot in the World Cup semi-final will be up for grabs when England and rivals Australia meet in Oita on Saturday. Expectations …

Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies and George North have all overcome fitness concerns to take their place in Wales’ team for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France on Sunday. Warren Gatland has been able to name the same team that defeated Australia in the pool stage with three of his …

Cheslin Kolbe has been declared fit for South Africa’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Japan after overcoming an ankle injury. The star winger missed the Springboks’ final pool match against Canada but has been restored to the side for Sunday, as coach Rassie Erasmus opts for the team that defeated …

Joe Schmidt acknowledges Ireland’s victory over New Zealand a year ago means they will not be able to “sneak up on” the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday. A shock defeat to Japan consigned Ireland to second in Pool A and a meeting with New Zealand in …

England head coach Eddie Jones has sprung a major surprise for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Australia by dropping George Ford and naming Owen Farrell at fly-half. Ford has been superb as playmaker-in-chief since his restoration at 10 during the warm-up series for Japan and started all three group games …

The New Zealand All Blacks are fully fit and have named their strongest possible squad for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final. The defending champions rotated their squad for what proved to be their final two pool games against Canada and Namibia, with the final game against Italy abandoned due to …

Sir Ian McGeechan is backing the British and Irish Lions to seal an historic series win over New Zealand. Having lost the first Test by a 15-point margin, the tourists came roaring back last weekend to set up a thrilling decider in Auckland. Victory at Eden Park would give the Lions a first …