England to build backroom staff

England will begin their search for new coaches today, following the announcement that John Wells and Mike Ford will be leaving their posts. They were England's forwards and defence coaches respectively, but the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has decided it is time for a change.

Both Wells and Ford were coaches at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, but following Martin Johnson's resignation as first team coach back in November, England have been looking to appoint a whole new coaching staff....

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Italy up against it

Italy have a huge task on their hands to reach the next stage of the Rugby World Cup.

The Italians are usually the whipping boys in the Six Nations and, with Australia and Ireland alongside them in Pool C, they look like missing out on progression to the next stage. To make matters worse, they are not guaranteed of beating the so-called minnows in USA and Russia.

Defeat against the Wallabies in their opening fixture was always on the cards and expected, it’s the games...

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Super Rugby fixture list announced

The 2012 Super Rugby fixture list for rounds one and two have been announced, with 2011 champions the Queensland Reds taking on the NSW Waratahs on an opening weekend packed with local derbies.

With a host of Reds’ and Waratahs players off to New Zealand to wear the Wallabies RWC Jersey over the next six weeks, the likes of Will Genia and Quade Cooper will become closely acquainted with their domestic rivals before going head to head when the season gets underway in February.
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Are Italy serious contenders?

By William Taylor
Italy no longer will be a side going into the World Cup with the tag of whipping boys. They are a serious rugby nation now, and will be determined to defy the odds and qualify from arguably not the hardest group in the World Cup.

The two favourites to finish top of Pool C are undoubtedly Australia and Ireland, but with the Irish heading to New Zealand on the back of a defeat to England in their final warm-up match, now could be the ideal time for the Azzuri...

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All Blacks play down McCaw injury

The New Zealand team doctor Deb Robinson has played down concerns over Ritchie McCaw’s long term fitness after the flanker was ruled out of the Crusaders Super Rugby clash against the Blues this weekend.

McCaw has endured a difficult season that has been plagued by injury, and his latest foot problem has cast doubts over his participation in the World Cup later this year.
The All Black had a metal screw put into his metatarsal earlier this season, and bone irritation is the...

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