England are thrown a World Cup lifeline having been drawn in the same group as Argentina, rather than New Zealand, Australia or South Africa, although no group looks easy at the moment.

There’s always a debate about whether teams should focus on winning the next game with no eye on the future, or whether they should build a team to target the Rugby World Cup every four years.

I can’t let the day pass without a salute to the boys of 2003 that won the World Cup on this day four years ago.
That momentous night in Sydney will never be forgotten, but let’s hope we can build on some solid foundations over the next four years and recapture the Web Ellis Cup.
Here’s to [...]

Here’s my team of the World Cup - let me know what you think.
One or two controversial selections, but the wealth of talent on show meant there was always going to be disappointment for those that missed out.
1. Andrew Sheridan (England)
First name on the teamsheet, primarily because I started at the top, but also because [...]

I love South Africa. It is a diseased country (literally as well as metaphorically), and I pray not terminally, but there is no other nation where sport has the ability to transcend all other social problems so congratulations to them on this famous and deserved victory.
I love the country, the climate, the culture (basically braiis [...]

Against Australia and France, England showed the world how to close down a game and come out with a victory - the Springboks were watching and that’s exactly what they did to the former World Champions last night.
England’s strength in the quarter- and semi-final was at the set piece, where Andrew Sheridan ruled the scrums [...]

South Africa became the 2007 World Champions last night after beating England by 15 points to 6.
The Springboks deserved to win, but the final was a dour affair.  The debate over whether Mark Cueto scored the try that was disallowed by the TMO will continue, but South Africa are the more worthy champions.
They took England [...]