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The Rugby World Cup is now only days away, with all 20 competing nations at their base camps preparing for action.
The tournament begins on Friday night with an exciting fixture between hosts France and New Zealand in Pool A. The rest of the sides get their campaigns underway on an action-packed weekend, with England taking on Argentina on Saturday in their Pool D opener, and the Pool B clash between South Africa and Scotland a day later likely to prove crucial.
Steve Borthwick appears to have suffered another injury scare ahead of the start of the tournament, with Courtney Lawes, likely to skipper the side in Marseille in the absence of the suspended Owen Farrell, missing their welcome ceremony in Le Touquet. England insist that the flanker was just “sore” after training on the northern French coast, but Borthwick’s side can ill afford to lose another key figure after a disastrous build-up to the tournament. Follow all the latest news and updates from France below:
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What is the TMO Bunker and how will the foul play process work at the Rugby World Cup?
The 2023 Rugby World Cup will see a revamped foul play process in place, with the introduction of the “TMO bunker” system
at the tournament for the first time.
The introduction follows a number of World Rugby trials during the course of the last year, including the Summer Nations Series and Rugby Championship.
The “bunker” system is designed to improve accuracy of decision making and avoid significant disruptions to the flow of games, and has already been utilised in a couple of high profile moments ahead of the World Cup.
England captain Owen Farrell’s sending off against Wales at Twickenham was awarded after the on-field referee, Nika Amashukeli, placed the incident on review.
So how does the “bunker” system work? Here’s everything you need to know:
What is the TMO Bunker and how will it work at the Rugby World Cup?
The inclusion at the tournament of the foul play review process follows successful trials throughout 2023
England expect to be fully fit for World Cup opener after Courtney Lawes fears
England expect to have a clean bill of health for their vital World Cup opener against Argentina on Saturday after downplaying concerns over Courtney Lawes’ fitness.
Lawes took part in the first training session held since the squad arrived at their tournament base in Le Touquet on Thursday, but the Lions flanker missed Saturday’s capping ceremony because of “soreness”.
Attack coach Richard Wigglesworth revealed that England’s likely captain against the Pumas in the absence of the suspended Owen Farrell sat out the function merely as a precautionary measure.
Wigglesworth also issued positive updates on Tom Curry, Kyle Sinckler, Elliot Daly and George Martin, all of whom are carrying knocks ahead of the Marseille opener on September 9.
“Courtney is a bit sore from training on Friday so we decided the best thing for him was to not sit in a chair for an hour or so then have to stand up,” Wigglesworth said.
“He is resting at the hotel. He is bit sore from training – the pitch was heavy because of the rain. Nothing too serious, we are just looking after him.
“We have a few little bumps and bruises like everyone has, but I think we will go into next weekend with a pretty full bill of health.”
England expect to be fully fit for World Cup opener after Courtney Lawes fears
Steve Borthwick’s side are hoping to be have clean bill of health for next Saturday’s clash.
Rugby World Cup 2023: Security beefed up ahead of tournament start
France will deploy up to 7,000 security personnel across the country as part of measures to ensure safety during the Rugby World Cup, sports minister Amelie Oudea Castera said on Monday.
The World Cup starts with a much-awaited clash between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on Friday, but the situation around the venue will be heavily monitored well before the 9 p.m. kick-off.
“It will be an outstanding moment of sport, this Rugby World Cup is set to be exceptional as France organises it alone for the first time,” Oudea Castera told a press conference.
Between 5,500 and 7,000 security personnel would be mobilised, added Oudea Castera, who also promised smooth travel conditions for visiting fans at airports and train stations.
“We have recruited 600 agents in airports to make it easier to go though customs and also reinforced the staff in the train stations,” she added.
Reuters
Rugby World Cup 2023: Which cities are hosting the tournament?
This year’s World Cup takes place right around France, with organisers making an effort to ensure an even geographical spread of games. From the heartlands in the south to less fertile rugby territory further north, here’s your guide to every stadium set to host fixtures at the tournament:
Rugby World Cup stadiums: Which cities in France are hosting matches?
Your guide to all of the venues at the 2023 Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup 2023: Danny Cipriani says Eddie Jones was ‘like a horny teenager'
Danny Cipriani has accused former England head coach Eddie Jones of acting like a “horny teenager” in probing into his private life.
The former fly half endured a sometimes difficult relationship with Jones, with Cipriani earning only a handful of caps under the Australian despite impressive club form.
In his soon-to-be published autobiography, Who Am I?, the 35-year-old opens up on his dealings with Jones, recalling one conversation after he had been picked for an early summer training camp in Bagshot shortly after being left out for the coach’s first Six Nations campaign.
Cipriani had recently broken up with television presenter Kirsty Gallacher, and claims that Jones immediately quizzed him on the relationship.
Danny Cipriani: Eddie Jones was ‘like a horny teenager’ asking about sex life
The former fly half was left ‘uncomfortable’ after the former England coach probed into his private life
Rugby World Cup 2023: Fabien Galthie defends selection of Bastien Chalureau
A bit of morning news from French camp, where Fabien Galthie has had to defend the selection of lock Bastien Chalureau after heavy criticism related to Chalureau’s 2020 conviction for a racially motivated assault. The second row was called up last week after Paul Willemse’s injury, and has denied the incident had anything to do with race, but politicians in France have suggested that Galthie was wrong to pick him.
“We have said the same thing now for four years and we carry this mission with heart and commitment: we have to unite and share with French rugby and all French people,” the French head coach said yesterday.
“For four years, racism has had no place in our team, it has no place in rugby. Integrity is a fundamental value of our team and our sport. Bastien has informed us of this affair and firmly and formally denies the allegations.”
Rugby World Cup 2023: Power ranking all 20 nations
It’s Rugby World Cup week, the tournament finally upon us and eyes turning to Paris ahead of that mouthwatering opening fixture between France and New Zealand. All 20 teams are now in France at their base camps, covering every corner of the country from Le Touquet in the north to Nice down on the French riviera.
But which nations will fancy their chances? Find out in The Independent’s power rankings:
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Rating every nation’s chances ahead of the tournament
Ireland, France, South Africa and New Zealand shape as the tournament favourites – but how far down our rankings are England and Wales after a difficult 2023 so far?
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Every player, fixtures and more
The Rugby World Cup starts on September 8 when host nation France take on New Zealand, in a match set to kick-start a thrilling competition.
An unbalanced draw sets up intrigue where sides other than the favourites of Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa could go further into the tournament than expected.
It will be the first time that the tournament returns to a nation that has been a previous sole host, after the 2007 edition was also held in France.
Chile make their tournament debut after beating Canada and the USA in Americas qualifying, while Portugal are set to return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more
With the tournament drawing closer, teams have begun announcing their 33-man squads
Rugby World Cup 2023 talking points including England crisis and TMO Bunker
One of the most eagerly-awaited tournaments in Rugby World Cup history will unfold in France during September and October.
It takes place across nine host cities – Paris, Toulouse, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Nantes and Lille – with more than 2.5 million tickets sold.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the main talking points ahead of the competition.
Rugby World Cup 2023 talking points including England crisis
France set to host a spectacular sporting event
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