On the eve of Wales’ final Pool D clash with Uruguay – a game for which head coach Warren Gatland rested his first choice stars – Alun Wyn Jones was still determined not to let his standards drop.

Wales secured a World Cup quarter-final clash against France next Sunday – but they ended their Pool D campaign with an unconvincing 35-13 victory over Uruguay.

Rassie Erasmus isn't a man for one kind word when a few dozen can be spread lavishly, like honey on toast.

A friend texted me Wednesday night indicating France’s final World Cup Pool C game against England was going to fall victim to the typhoon hammering Japan.

Your round-up of the stories behind the headlines from Day 15 of #RWC2019

Your round-up of the stories behind the headlines from Day 14 of #RWC2019

Fiji finally found their flair as they bounced back from their shock World Cup defeat by Uruguay with a resounding 45-10 win over Georgia that sent a warning to their next opponents Wales.

World Rugby has issued an apology to Georgia after a Russian song was played to celebrate their win over Uruguay yesterday.

That breathless Wales-Australia World Cup classic this morning had enough about it to turn Saturday’s Shizuoka shocker into the realm of a bad dream.

No doubt about it, this World Cup has come down through the gears this last five days after what was a breakneck opening to the tournament.

Slowly but very surely, rugby and this World Cup are beginning to seep into the bones of Japanese society.

James Ryan loved watching Uruguay’s giant-killing act against Fiji at the World Cup this week, but insists Ireland will not be complacent when they face underdog hosts Japan.

It means that Hodge will miss Australia’s remaining pool games against Wales, Uruguay and Georgia.

The South American minnows, who were playing their first game of the tournament, condemned the Pacific Islanders to their second defeat in five days to leave their Pool D qualification hopes in tatters.

Peter O'Mahony cherishes memories of his first trip to Japan.

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup due to a clavicle injury, the Welsh Rugby Union has announced.

Shane Daly Butz is determined to use the World University Games as a spring board to kick start his football career.

Peru have reached their first Copa America final since 1975 after beating two-time defending champions Chile 3-0.

With the Tories locked in a leadership battle that will likely result in a no-deal Brexit, Europe is negotiating an agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc and flying the flag for open trade, says Guy Verhofstadt

A Sinn Fein TD has described a draft trade deal between the EU and South America as a devastating blow to Irish farmers.

Edinson Cavani scored a late winner to seal a 1-0 victory for Uruguay over defending champions Chile in the Copa America.

Torreira plays his 50th match for Arsenal tonight.

Manchester United managed to stifle Lionel Messi, bloodied and bowed after a nasty first-half injury, but their nemesis Luis Suarez played the pivotal part in the only goal of this Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Ulster have a queue forming for on the No 2 jersey, with a couple of Ballymena-born players eager to continue the current line of international hookers in the province.

It’s very early days but the possibility of Ireland staging games at the World Cup Finals has moved at least one step closer to becoming reality, with confirmation that the FAI is joining forces with the associations of the four ‘home nations’ to consider making a joint bid for the 2030 tournament.

Ger McCarthy poses four questions ahead of Ireland's rematch with Wales...

What this World Cup could really do with is a team to capture the imagination, says Brendan O’Brien.

A retired garda boss has said it is time to decriminalise the possession of drugs for personal use.

Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea are on high alert after Cristiano Ronaldo’s buyout clause at Real Madrid was reduced from €1bn to €120m.

Russia’s impressive running statistics at the World Cup are based on hard work and motivation, not doping, national team coach Stanislav Cherchesov has insisted.

Here’s your round-up of what’s on today and tomorrow at the World Cup.

Egypt boss Hector Cuper has kept Russia guessing over whether or not he will be able to unleash “one of the best players in the world” on them in St Petersburg tonight.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin bristled at the suggestion that his team might resort to a physical approach to neutralise Egypt forward Mohamed Salah on his return from a shoulder injury in their World Cup opener today.

Egypt say they still can't confirm whether Mohamed Salah will be fit enough to play in their opening World Cup game.

Salah's shoulder injury should keep him out for a maximum of three weeks.

Ryan Giggs defended Gareth Bale’s contribution after he suffered his first defeat as Wales manager to Uruguay in the China Cup final.

Edinson Cavani, winning his 100th cap, scored the winner for Uruguay.

Ryan Giggs is determined to promote young talent in his new role as Wales manager after playing his part in the rise of Marcus Rashford.

Many EU citizens might have to pay for a trade deal with South American countries with medical bills.

The draw has been held for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

England manager Gareth Southgate has promised to deploy his best poker face during today’s World Cup draw in Moscow regardless of who the Three Lions must play next summer.

‘Revenge: The action of inflicting harm on someone for an injury or harm suffered at their hands.”