Brian Ashton insisted England's future is exciting as the England hierarchy reflected on their World Cup campaign today.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan is wary of the introduction of a radical and controversial new bonus points system for this year’s World Cup.

Cardiff prop Gethin Jenkins will captain Wales against world champions South Africa in this month’s Invesco Perpetual Prince William Cup match at the Millennium Stadium.

The World Cup waiting game will soon be over for England – and Richard Hill is eager to get started with tomorrow week’s Pool C opener against Georgia at Subiaco Oval.

TOP rugby referee Jonathan Kaplan has been rested from his August Test duties in order to maximise recovery from minor injuries sustained during a road accident last week.

James Cronin and Stephen Archer will get their opportunity to show national coach Joe Schmidt that they can be relied upon for the World Cup after both Munster props were selected for the Emerging Ireland squad.

Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta would love nothing more than to win the World Cup in the spiritual home of Brazilian football.

A fourth successive RBS 6 Nations runners-up spot for England is unacceptable, Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie said today.

Nick Mallett insists Italy’s final assault on the World Cup quarter-finals will be strengthened by the belief they have come of age in Test rugby.

Richard Dunne could hardly be less interested in the cash windfall qualification for Euro 2012 would bring himself and his Republic of Ireland team-mates.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas says he is impressed by the approach of new coach Jose Mourinho ahead of their Primera Division campaign.

Robbie Keane does not necessarily subscribe to the theory that Italy are not the force they once were.

CARLOS TEVEZ has been working with a nutritionist and personal trainer for the last year to ensure he reaches the World Cup in peak condition.

GHANA are not only going to beat Australia in Rustenburg tonight, they will become the first African nation to win the World Cup, according to Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi.

FELIPE CONTEPOMI cannot envisage a better time for Argentina to break their duck against South Africa than in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

EVERYTHING is right in football when Brazil are in possession of the World Cup but with the status of champions comes a responsibility says Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Joe Schmidt has made a lot of changes to his Ireland set up since the 2015 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

Just like New Zealand great Jonah Lomu did in the 1995 World Cup, dazzling South Africa flyer Bryan Habana lit up the 2007 tournament from the left wing.

Leinster and Ireland wing Denis Hickie has announced he is to retire from professional rugby immediately after the Rugby World Cup.