Virimi Vakatawa will keep a promise made to his mother shortly before her death when he starts for France against Argentina in their World Cup clash on Saturday. The post Vakatawa keeps promise to his mother with World Cup start appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

For all the talk of French inconsistency, Les Bleus almost always seem to produce on the World Cup stage and can lay a strong claim to the title of the best team never to win the tournament. The post In Focus: France appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

Romain Ntamack has been given the task of pulling the strings for France after being named at fly-half for their Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina. The post Ntamack starts at ten for France against Pumas appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

Four years ago, Ireland’s lack of back-ups hurt them when it mattered most. Deprived of Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony and Johnny Sexton through injury for their quarter-final against Argentina, Joe Schmidt’s side were found wanting and succumbed to another last-eight exit. The head coach has made no secret of the fact that this time around, […] The post COLUMN: Ireland must plumb their hidden depths in Japan appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

Stuart Hogg believes Scotland must make the most of the few opportunities they will get against Ireland in their Rugby World Cup opener. The Exeter Chiefs star, a two-time Player of the Championship, is in no doubt about the task at hand in Yokohama on Sunday against the side ranked number one in the world. […] The post Scotland must take every opportunity against Ireland, insists Hogg appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

The first whistle is yet to be blown at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but Jonathan Joseph insists this England side have already won their first key battle – the one in their own heads. Eddie Jones has made no secret of England’s use of team psychologists and specifically referred to his side’s mental fragility […] The post Joseph: England have psychological edge appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

Scotland under Gregor Townsend have proven time and again that, when they are at their best, they can beat any side in world rugby. You don’t put 50 points past Australia or score six tries at Twickenham during this year’s Guinness Six Nations without having world-class talent in your side. But the question on the […] The post In Focus: Scotland appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

It has been a familiar story at Rugby World Cups for Italy. Eight times the Azzurri have arrived at the tournament full of hope and eight times they have exited at the Pool stages. They will be hoping for cloud nine in 2019 and a knockout berth – but in a group that contains both […] The post In Focus: Italy appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

Ireland have never before made it past the quarter-final stage at a Rugby World Cup but as they head to Japan, Joe Schmidt’s side have never had a better chance to make history. They enter the tournament as the No.1 side in the world, have beaten every tier one rival home and away in this […] The post In Focus: Ireland appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

If there is one thing Eddie Jones knows how to navigate, it is a Rugby World Cup. Just ask Japan, who four years ago shocked the world thanks to Jones’ ‘Beat the Boks’ masterplan. If you’re still not sure, ask South Africa who Jones helped guide to their second crown back in 2007. That should […] The post In Focus: England appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.