Rugby World Cup 2023

James O'Connor has vowed to win back his spot in the Australia side after being named on the bench for Sunday's World Cup opener against Italy.

Rory Best has warned Ireland they must contain the USA's early onslaught in their World Cup opener on Sunday. The sides meet on the anniversary of 9/11.

Argentina have brought Gonzalo Tiesi into their side for Saturday's Rugby World Cup opener against England. Tiesi has replaced Marcelo Bosch in the only change from the Pumas' warm-up defeat to Wales last month.

Bakkies Botha is a doubt for South Africa's World Cup opener against Wales in Wellington on Sunday. The big lock has an achilles injury and should he be ruled out of the Pool D clash Danie Rossouw is expected to slot in alongside Victor Matfield.

Ireland got up to full strength on Monday when Cian Healy and Gordon D'Arcy flew in to join up with the squad in Queenstown.

Richie Gray has one aim in the next few days - to make Scotland's starting line-up in their Pool B opener against Romania on Saturday.

South Africa's Bryan Habana will sacrifice a personal landmark rather than run the risk of Wales turning the World Cup upside down when they meet in their Pool D game on Sunday.

Matt Stevens is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Argentina's revered pack, who he credits with setting the standards of modern-day scrummaging.

South Africa have begun the final week of preparation before launching their world title defence, with star wing Bryan Habana declaring: 'We are here for business.'

Gordon D'Arcy and Cian Healy have joined their Ireland team-mates in Queenstown following their delayed departures from Dublin. D'Arcy should be fit to face the United States.

Paul James has no doubt Wales are in prime physical and mental shape for their demanding World Cup opener against South Africa. The Ospreys prop is set to make his tournament debut.

England captain Lewis Moody will not play in the opening Rugby World Cup match against Argentina after failing to recover from a knee injury.

New Zealand lock Ali Williams owes Nottingham a debt of gratitude for helping to rekindle his Rugby World Cup dream after two years of injury hell.

Donncha O'Callaghan admits Ireland's psyche continues to be haunted by their World Cup disaster of four years ago. Memories of 2007 still trouble some members of the squad.

Shaun Edwards has underlined the need for Wales to display watertight discipline in their World Cup showdown with South Africa next weekend.

Almost eight years ago, a 12-year-Samoan boy joined his extended family in crowding around a television set in the village of Fatausi-Fogapoa to eat mountains of food.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts, better known as 'Lump' or 'Quagmire' to team-mates, says the Welsh will arrive in great shape to rock the world.

A week before the start of the 2011 Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand, we take a look at the chances of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish teams.

Catalin Fercu's late decision to withdraw from Romania's Rugby World Cup squad due to a fear of flying has angered his former team-mates.

Here's your ultimate guide to all the dates and venues for the World Cup in New Zealand.

Jonny Wilkinson has told England that 'every second counts' as they begin their final build-up to the World Cup opener against Argentina next Saturday.

Jonah Lomu has backed New Zealand to end 24 years of hurt and win the World Cup, declaring: 'This is our time.' The All Blacks have not won the World Cup since they hosted the inaugural tournament in 1987.

Brian O'Driscoll expects to lead Ireland out in their World Cup opener against the United States on September 11. O'Driscoll missed the 20-9 defeat by England at the Aviva Stadium.

Wales departed for their World Cup campaign on Wednesday with head coach Warren Gatland revealing he has sought the opinion of predecessor Gareth Jenkins.

England manager Martin Johnson has confirmed the team will make a goodwill visit to Christchurch before the start of the Rugby World Cup.

Scotland wing Max Evans plans to create havoc in the forthcoming World Cup by making it difficult for defences to pick him up.

England's rugby World Cup squad will make a 'goodwill' trip next Wednesday to Christchurch, the New Zealand city recovering from February's earthquake.

Lewis Moody has no fears about being thrown back in at the deep end in England's World Cup opener against Argentina. Moody's international season has been decimated by injury.

Martin Johnson expects to have a fully fit squad going into England's World Cup opener against Argentina. He confident all of those carrying injuries would recover in time.

Martin Johnson believes England's victory over Ireland has left his squad in the right place to launch their Rugby World Cup campaign. His squad now head for New Zealand.

England will leave for New Zealand and the World Cup on Monday buoyed by the display of new discovery Manu Tuilagi against Ireland.

Defending champions South Africa, who won their second World Cup four years ago in France, are the big draw in Pool D, along with Wales.

It is hard to believe 24 years on but there was actually staunch opposition to the idea of a Rugby World Cup prior to the inaugural tournament.

Australia, World Cup winners in 1991 and 1999, are the biggest name in Pool C, which also features two Six Nations teams in Ireland and Italy.

The essential guide to the stadiums which will host games in the group and knockout stages at this year's tournament in New Zealand.

Martin Johnson's England and their old rivals Scotland are in Pool B at the World Cup, along with one of the teams of the last tournament, Argentina.

The World Cup in New Zealand promises to be a fantastic spectacle. And the hosts are one of five teams in Pool A, along with former finalists France.

Andrew Sheridan has been given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup after Martin Johnson named him in England's starting XV to play Ireland.

England flanker James Haskell has been passed fit for selection against Ireland on Saturday after a precautionary scan on his foot revealed only mild inflammation to a tendon.

South Africa coach Peter De Villiers will rely on the core of the squad that became world champions four years ago after naming his 30-man World Cup squad.

With the 2011 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, Sportsmail gives the lowdown on 10 players who we expect to star in New Zealand.

World Cup debutants Russia have named Australian lock Adam Byrnes in their 30-man squad announced on Tuesday. Byrnes has Russian ancestry.

Toulon rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre looks set to succeed Marc Lievremont as France coach after the upcoming World Cup.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has announced his 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup with no place for quintet Sitiveni Sivivatu, Wyatt Crockett, Liam Messam, Jarrad Hoeata and Hosea Gear.

Sam Warburton will become Wales' youngest World Cup captain when he skippers the squad in New Zealand next month. He is just 22-years-old.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has confirmed a 30-man Rugby World Cup squad featuring few surprises and Alastair Kellock as captain.

Felix Jones has been ruled out of contention for Ireland's World Cup squad with the foot injury sustained in Saturday's 26-22 defeat by France.

Andy Robinson will name his Scotland World Cup squad on Monday after his side beat Italy and Ireland in their first two warm-up games.

Forwards Sylvain Marconnet and Thomas Domingo have been dropped from France's 30-man Rugby World Cup squad. Guilhelm Guirado keeps his place.

Ireland's preparations for the World Cup took another turn for the worse at the Aviva Stadium when France sent them spinning to a third successive defeat.

Ryan Jones has been ruled out of Wales' final World Cup warm-up game against Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday. The No 8 has had a calf problem and will not be risked ahead of the World Cup.

South Africa loose forward Juan Smith has ruled himself out of the World Cup because of an achilles problem. Smith suffered the injury playing for the Cheetahs in February.

Rocky Elsom has been sensationally dumped as Australia skipper for the World Cup campaign. Australia coach Robbie Deans has chosen Queensland’s James Horwill to lead the team.

England scrum half Danny Care has been ruled out of next month's World Cup with a broken toe. The Harlequins star will undergo surgery later this week, with Martin Johnson naming his 30-man squad on Monday.

Veteran fly-half Matt Giteau has hinted he has been overlooked for Australia's World Cup squad in a message on his Twitter page. The Wallabies name their squad on Thursday.

Australia prop Benn Robinson has conceded defeat in his bid to play in the World Cup and will instead undergo surgery on a knee injury.

Will Greenwood is 'very, very bullish' about England's World Cup chances, despite accusing them of bottling it like USPGA runner-up Jason Dufner in their defeat in Wales.

Wales' World Cup preparations have been dealt a blow with the news that captain Matthew Rees will miss the tournament due to a neck injury.

Alex Corbisiero and his England squad-mates face a nervous wait this week as Martin Johnson whittles the group down to a final 30 for the Rugby World Cup.

I had some good news this week when the results of my scan came back from the hospital, showing a minor strain of the medial ligament in my knee. That is a fairly clear cut diagnosis and the England physios were very happy to see it confirmed by the hospital.

Former England captain Phil Vickery used to head to New Zealand to face the All Blacks, but now he's retired he has plenty of time to explore the many other attractions the country's two islands offer.

Rugby World Cup organisers are anticipating 25,000 fans will travel from Britain and Ireland for the tournament, which kicks off on September 9.

Argentina utility back Juan Martin Hernandez will miss the Rugby World Cup. Hernandez suffered a knee injury in March, playing for French club side Racing Metro against Bourgoin.

England are 'optimistic' over the fitness of Lewis Moody after the captain was diagnosed as having suffered a mild strain of the medial ligament in his right knee.

New Zealand's emphatic win over Australia at the weekend provided a timely boost for World Cup organisers by sparking a $1million (£610,000) rush in ticket sales.

Morgan Stoddart's World Cup dream ended when the Wales wing suffered a suspected double fracture of his left leg at Twickenham.

England rugby captain Lewis Moody faces a nervous 24-hour wait before he discovers whether his World Cup dream is over.

I could have walked off the pitch at the end, but the England medics like to look after you and both of them insisted on helping me, so don’t read anything into the way I went off.

A star was born at Twickenham, but his captain faces a nervy 48 hours as England experienced the promise and the pitfalls of World Cup warm-up matches.

The Rugby World Cup is just a matter of weeks away now and England's build-up really begins this weekend with a clash against Wales at Twickenham.

Gavin Henson's hopes of realising his dream of playing in a World Cup took another severe jolt when he was left out of Wales's first warm-up game against England.

France's rugby federation has dropped Yoann Huget from their World Cup squad after he failed to properly inform anti-doping authorities of his whereabouts.

Australia and New Zealand will meet in a Tri-Nations rugby test on Saturday which will reveal much about the two teams' approaches toward the upcoming World Cup.

Matt Stevens is preparing to make an emotional return to the England team in Saturday's sold-out Investec international against Wales at Twickenham.

Rory Lawson has called for Scotland to 'hit the ground running' as World Cup preparations gather pace in Saturday's EMC Test with Ireland at Murrayfield.

Ugo Monye is England's wing on a prayer. While his team-mates get pumped up on gangsta rap, he hides himself away whispering words from the gospel.

England are gearing up for the Rugby World Cup with the help of the team behind world champion drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button at McLaren.

Scotland lock Alastair Kellock is not dwelling on his absence from the 2007 World Cup as he bids to cement his place in this September's tournament.

Gavin Henson could have an unexpected rival for a place in Wales' World Cup squad - unheralded Scarlets prospect Scott Williams.