Rugby World Cup: Sam Warburton to the manner born as Wales captain
Sam Warburton has captained Wales in eight of his 21 games, winning seven, and although a man of few words, when he speaks it is inspirational
Rugby World Cup: past failures will be forgiven if Wales make final
Paul Rees: Wales, one of the few countries that can claim union is its national sport, prepares for its biggest day in the professional era
RFU gives Martin Johnson deadline to say if he wants to keep England job
The RFU, which will decideMartin Johnson's fate as England manager, has given him a deadline to decide whether he wishes to continue in the job
Rugby World Cup 2011: Richie McCaw worry stokes All Black anxiety
Richard Williams: With doubt over the fitness of their captain, the weight of expectation hangs heavily on New Zealand before Sunday's semi-final against Australia
Rugby World Cup 2011: France have no fear of Wales battering ram Roberts
The France coach believes Wales's defence will be properly tested by a resourceful attack in Saturday's semi-final
Rugby World Cup 2011: Wallabies play on New Zealand’s darkest fears
The Wallabies' two New Zealand-born players and Kiwi coach mean a semi-final defeat for New Zealand would be the host nation's ultimate nightmare
Rugby World Cup 2011: A fond farewell to the game’s true gladiators
Robert Kitson: The dignified exits of Brian O'Driscoll, Mario Ledesma, Victor Matfield and Mils Muliaina will linger long in the memory
Rugby World Cup 2011: France at peace as they face biggest challenge
Paul Rees: The in-fighting has stopped ahead of Les Bleus' semi-final with Wales, but the biggest war they will face is to come on the field
England sidestep World Cup welcoming party that never was
Eight years after returning from Sydney in triumph Martin Johnson and his team slunk away at Heathrow
Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales’s young players not scarred by failure
Sam Warburton leads the new breed for in-form Wales at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup: Aurélien Rougerie braced for battle of hard centres
The Frenchman Aurélien Rougerie will be wary of the threat of Jamie Roberts when they go head to head on Saturday
Rugby World Cup 2011: Australia ‘100% confident’ of beating All Blacks
Australia's scrum-half Will Genia has said the pressure is on New Zealand as the host nation ahead of their World Cup semi-final
Rugby World Cup 2011: Rhys Priestland major doubt for Wales semi-final
The Wales fly-half Rhys Priestland is a major doubt for Wales's semi-final against France because of a shoulder injury
Rugby World Cup 2011: Piri Weepu answers New Zealand’s cry for help
Eddie Butler: The little volcano could not be more different to the ice-cold computer that is Dan Carter, but he is thriving being himself
Rugby World Cup: north and south need to be in this together
Paul Rees: Those running the sport must look at the global game's finances and ask if professional rugby, in its current model, is sustainable