Headlines
- Quinlan loses suspension appeal - Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan fails to get his three-week ban for a stamping offence overturned.
- Johnson looking for first big step -
Martin Johnson believes victory over South Africa tomorrow would be a seminal moment in his quest to re-establish England as the dominant force in world rugby.
- 'Ironside' Noon provides England's steel -
Picture the scene in the England changing room minutes after they had been humiliated 36-0 by South Africa in the group phase of the rugby World Cup last year.
- England ready for Springboks test - England aim to bounce back from defeat by Australia when they face South Africa on Saturday in a repeat of the World Cup final.
- Cardiff 'demons' await All Blacks - Wales coach Warren Gatland says New Zealand could be haunted by their World Cup exit the last time they played in Cardiff.
- Ireland v Argentina (Sat) - Ireland's clash with Argentina at Croke Park on Saturday is effectively a World Cup qualifier.
- England v South Africa: Focus on referee for Twickenham contest Nigel Owens - England's contest with world champions will be a big occasion for Welsh official who turned professional seven years ago.
- Scotland v Canada (Sat) - The return of Simon Taylor is one of four Scotland changes for the final autumn Test against Canada.
- Canada deserve to be treated with some respect says Glasgow prop Kevin Tkachuk - It is a wellremembered curiosity of the 1991 match between Canada and Scotland in New Brunswick that owing to the vastness of the North American continent and the fact that Canadian rugby's heartland is towards the west coast of the country the Scottish tourists were actually closer to home than most of their supposed hosts.
- Wales v New Zealand (Sat) - Match preview and team details ahead of Saturday's Millennium Stadium clash between Warren Gatland's Wales and Graham Henry's New Zealand.
- England flyhalf Danny Cipriani should use criticism to his advantage says Dan Carter - Dan Carter tells England's new No 10 to "draw strength from adversity" if he is to become even better player.
- Wilkinson no longer thinking of England -
Jonny Wilkinson has admitted he is no longer motivated by a possible return to the England team - and believes Danny Cipriani will prove a worthy long-term successor.
- Ireland can conquer depleted Pumas -
As Declan Kidney said as emphatically this week as his soft Irish lilt allows, Ireland understands the significance of this weekend’s Test match against Argentina
- Springboks have lost their swagger -
England v South Africa at Twickenham: it ought to be pocket calculator time. The World Champions are in London and they confront an England side still at the embryonic stage. Australia reminded us of that last weekend, moving smoothly to a 28-14 victory that avenged England’s World Cup win over them just over 12 months ago.
- Fantasy XV: Commentator’s Nightmare XV - Rob Watson has put together the all-time worst nightmare XV for the rugby commentator. Just imagine if they threw the ball around like the All Blacks at their best. This team might wipe the smile off their faces As Rob says, Mealamu and Dallaglio are lucky to scrape in and can be improved upon - maybe [...]
- Wales must have belief - Williams - JJ Williams says Wales can beat New Zealand on Saturday if they have the belief to do so.
- Andy Powell takes long road to reach the top - Perched on a chair facing an inquisitor, Andy Powell looks as wary as a cat caught in a car’s headlights. He presses his palms down on his knees and keeps his back ramrod straight. He seems to be uncomfortable.
- Kevin Tkachuk ready for test - It may be an old pals' reunion when Kevin Tkachuk and Euan Murray butt up against each other tomorrow, but the former Canada captain is not expecting any favours from his friend and former team-mate. For Tkachuk, the game against Scotland in Aberdeen is more about gaining respect than any expectation that his side might spring a surprise.
- Jonny Wilkinson rises above to support Danny Cipriani - Jonny Wilkinson said in his most recent book, Tackling Life, that he had found peace through reading a combination of quantum physics and the teaching of Buddha, not by winning a World Cup. Now, just as everyone would seek to pit the rising star, Danny Cipriani, against him, the England fly half has transcended expectations.
- England call on Tim Payne to combat Springboks - Front-row play, Graham Rowntree said yesterday, is a smart man’s game, a powerful man’s game. The scrum coach will hope, therefore, that Tim Payne lives up to that description after England, reluctantly, acknowledged that the London Wasps loose-head prop will start against South Africa at Twickenham tomorrow because of the withdrawal of Andrew Sheridan.
- Murphy back for crucial match with Argentina -
Geordan Murphy's turbulent Ireland career produced a fresh twist yesterday when the Leicester full-back was recalled for Saturday's crucial showdown with Argentina. An unused squad member so far this autumn, Murphy has been handed the No 15 jersey as one of three changes to the team toppled 22-3 by New Zealand.
- Sheridan ruled out of Boks game -
The long-running saga of Andrew Sheridan's bull neck finally drew to a close yesterday when Dr Mike Bundy, the England team's resident medic, confirmed that the loose-head prop from Sale would miss tomorrow's meeting with South Africa, the world champions, at Twickenham. Tim Payne, of Wasps, who last played for his country against the All Blacks in Christchurch during the summer – and played rather well, despite the story told on the scoreboard – will start the game, with Matt Stevens, of Bath, staying on the replacements' bench.
- Peter the pioneer: At the helm of the Springboks -
If there is any truth whatsoever in "a team being cast in the image of their coach", then England should not be bothering with any video analysis in preparation for tomorrow's confrontation with South Africa. An audience with Peter de Villiers is not what one would term "a predictable experience". Indeed, for the uninitiated there is the danger of being bamboozled to the point of inertia.
- Geordan Murphy gets chance to revive career - Geordan Murphy was given another chance to resurrect his international career yesterday after being recalled to the Ireland team to play Argentina at Croke Park in Dublin tomorrow. Declan Kidney has turned to Murphy, 30, who has 58 caps, for the first time since taking over as head coach.
- Winning against Canada is all that matters to Scotland flanker John Barclay - Flanker is sick and tired of people patting him on the back for playing well every time Scotland lose.
- Jonny Wilkinson no longer keen on England spot as Danny Cipriani proves ripe for job - Injuryplagued World Cup winner says he'll happily play at lower level and let others work for England spot.
- Wilkinson backed to play until 40 - Jonny Wilkinson's mentor Steve Black believes the England fly-half can defy his injuries and play until he is 40.
- Guinness Premiership previews - Guide to Friday's Guinness Premiership games.
- South Africa's World Cup predator Bryan Habana has class to silence the doubters - South Africa's World Cup hero Bryan Habana could be ready to pounce against England after a poor run.
- Geordan Murphy recalled for Ireland's clash with Argentina - Geordan Murphy the Leicester fullback has been recalled to the Ireland team to face Argentina.
- South Africa prop Jannie du Plessis ready to tackle England challenge - South Africa prop Jannie du Plessis insists he is ready to take on England.
- Andrew Sheridan ruled out of England's game with South Africa at Twickenham Stadium - Andrew Sheridan England's injured loosehead prop will be replaced by Tim Payne for Spingboks challenge.
- Failing to beat the New Zealand All Blacks with Wales still plays on my mind - Some things in rugby never change and the All Blacks are masters of doing just what is needed.
- England under pressure this time as Springboks rule the lineout - Dominance in the lineout on Saturday could well decide the winner between England and South Africa.
- South Africa make two changes for England clash at Twickenham - South Africa coach has made just two changes to the team which beat Scotland for England clash.
- Northampton sign hooker Sharman - Northampton Saints recruit hooker Brett Sharman from the Blue Bulls.
- Smith to consider job at Ospreys - All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith says he will wait until their tour is over before pondering the possibility of taking over at the Welsh region.
- Argentina change five for Ireland - Miguel Avramovic replaces injured skipper Felipe Contepomi for Saturday's game against Ireland.
- Andrew Sheridan ruled out of England's match with Springboks due to neck problem - England call Tim Payne into team to face South Africa due to prop Andrew Sheridan's neck problem.
- Ireland start Murphy at full-back - Geordan Murphy returns to the Ireland side along with Stephen Ferris and Jerry Flannery for the game against Argentina.
- England lose Sheridan for South Africa clash -
England prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of Saturday's game against South Africa with a neck injury.
- South Africa forced into changes - Jannie du Plessis and Danie Rossouw are named in the side to take on England at Twickenham on Saturday.
- South Africa makes two changes to team -
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made two changes to the team which beat Scotland last weekend for the season-ending Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
- Ireland wait on Alan Quinlan availability as flanker appeals ban ahead of Argentina clash - Flanker may yet appear against Argentina if he successfully appeals threematch ban imposed for stamping.
- Does anyone believe that Wales can beat New Zealand? - There will be plenty worse places to be than the Millennium Stadium this Saturday. Wales take on New Zealand in a clash of two of the most Rugby mad nations on this planet and there will be plenty of determination from both sets of fans, players and coaching staff. The fact that Wales haven’t [...]
- WRU reach agreement with regions over player release for tour to Canada and USA - Welsh regions and national union agree release of players for tour to Canada and USA.
- All Blacks lose hooker Corey Flynn to injury for rest of tour - New Zealand hooker suffers fractured left forearm and will miss the two remaining autumn internationals.
- Win exclusive live viewing of England v New Zealand - Tourism New Zealand are erecting an enormous rugby ball beside Tower Bridge over the next couple of weeks, and they are giving away four hospitality tickets. The promotion is to coincide with the England versus the All Blacks match on 29th November to promote the next World Cup and tourism in the land of the long [...]
- White plays down impact of Cipriani -
Jake White, who guided South Africa to a second world title in France a little over a year ago, is not the first coach from the southern hemisphere to view the very English disease of Rampant Ciprianitis with a degree of suspicion – the successful Australian strategist Eddie Jones beat him to it by a good few weeks – but his words yesterday struck a chord all the same. "I read more about Danny Cipriani in the West End than I do about him on the rugby field," White remarked, adding that in his book, Jonny Wilkinson remained unchallenged as the finest red-rose outside-half around.
- Shane Williams: World beater -
Such are the 24/7 demands on the modern rugby union international, with one season ending at 11.59pm and the next beginning all of one minute later, that players should not have the time, energy or inclination to indulge in any looking back. But forgive Shane Williams if he allows himself a few brief moments of nostalgia this weekend.
