Following a bumper year for sport that saw the Paris Olympics, Euros and Copa America, and T20 cricket World Cup, 2025 may appear somewhat anticlimactic.

But there are still a host of showcase events from rugby and football to cycling and racing, to appeal to every sports fan. Here are some of the most popular taking place in the UK and around the world in 2025.

Darts: 2024-2025 PDC World Darts Championship final

The sporting year starts with a bang as the PDC World Darts Championship final takes place on 3 January at Alexandra Palace in London. Teenage sensation Luke Littler, who made his breakthrough at the event in January, is odds-on favourite to go one better this time and clinch the title at Ally Pally.

3 January, Alexandra Palace, London

Rugby union: Six Nations

England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales go for glory in the Six Nations Championship. Ireland will be looking to retain their crown, with England aiming to do the same in the Women's Six Nations, having won the Grand Slam in 2024.

Men's, 31 January to 15 March; women's, 22 March to 26 April

NFL: Super Bowl LIX

The NFL's showpiece event, the Super Bowl, takes place for the 59th time in 2025. Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the halftime show, which often draws more viewers than the game itself.

9 February, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Horse racing: Cheltenham Festival

Four days of National Hunt jump racing will attract thousands of fans to Cheltenham Racecourse. There will be 14 Grade One races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase.

11 to 14 March, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Horse racing: Grand National Festival

A few weeks after Cheltenham, the world of horse racing will then focus on Aintree for the three-day Grand National Festival. The 2025 National, often described as the greatest Jump race in the world, will start at 4pm on Saturday 5 April.

3 to 5 April, Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

Snooker: World Championship

Snooker's biggest event, the World Snooker Championship, will be held at the legendary Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for the 49th consecutive time.

19 April to 5 May, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

London Marathon

The London Marathon returns for its traditional April slot on the sporting calendar. Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee has said he will take part. It will be his first professional marathon in his hometown, fresh from winning gold in Paris.

27 April, London

Men's football: Uefa Champions League final

FC Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena hosts European club football's biggest match. It marks the culmination of an expanded and reformatted Champions League, with Real Madrid hoping to continue their extraordinary success in the tournament by clinging on to an unprecedented 16th title.

31 May, Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Tennis: The Championships, Wimbledon

Wimbledon, one of the UK's summer marquee events, will see the world's top tennis players head to SW19 for the grass court grand slam event. At the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in 2024, Barbora Krejčíková won the women's singles title and Carlos Alcaraz won the men's.

30 June to 13 July, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, London

Formula 1: British Grand Prix

The British Grand Prix takes place in July at the spiritual home of motor racing, Silverstone Circuit, in Northamptonshire.

3 to 6 July, Silverstone, Northamptonshire

Cycling: Tour de France

The 112th edition of the Men's Tour de France starts in Lille on 5 July, with the final stage ending on the Champs-Élysées in Paris just under three weeks later.

Men's, 5 to 27 July; women's, 26 July to 3 August, France

Rugby: Women’s World Cup

This autumn will see the Women's Rugby World Cup come to England. Games will be spread across the country, from Brighton and Bristol to London and Manchester.

22 August to 27 September, various locations, England

Men's football: African Cup of Nations  

The 35th edition of Africa's biennial football tournament will be hosted by Morocco for only the second time, and the first since 1988.

21 December to 18 January 2026, various locations, Morocco

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Leaf Arbuthnot and Sorcha Bradley.

You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped wherever you get your podcasts:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Global Player

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Wellness

The global corporate wellness industry was worth $53 billion last year, according to new research — up from $8 billion in 2016. But a recent UK study found that employees who tried their companies' mental health and wellness initiatives, like mindfulness seminars, counselling or stress management courses, reported no real benefit. Some courses actually appeared to have a negative impact on wellbeing. Are workplace well-being programs a waste of money? What is corporate wellness really worth?

Stressful siblings

Scientists looking at data from more than 18,000 teenagers in China and the United States found that the more siblings a teenager has, the more likely they are to be depressed, anxious and have low self-esteem. Are there any benefits to having siblings? Can you ever overcome sibling rivalry? And what's the best way to navigate what will likely be the longest relationship of your life?

NFL

Twenty-two-year-old Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has quit professional rugby and is heading to the United States for a chance to play American football in the NFL. Why is his decision such a shock? What are his chances of success? And could rugby lose more of its top players to America?

When Eddie Jones was sacked as England’s head coach last month, some assumed he’d move on to some “lavishly paid sinecure in the United States”, said Oliver Brown in The Daily Telegraph. Instead, the 62-year-old has “detonated a bomb under the Rugby Football Union” by announcing he’s “going home”. A “mere 40 days after his defenestration at Twickenham”, the Australian struck a five-year deal to replace Dave Rennie as Australia’s head coach.

So, “like Freddy Krueger in a tracksuit”, said Robert Kitson in The Guardian, Jones is set to return “to haunt English dreams”, starting this autumn at the Rugby World Cup in France, where there’s every chance England will face the Wallabies in the knockout stages. Australia, it’s true, are a struggling side, having been “decimated” by injuries in recent months. But if Jones has specialised at one thing in his career, it’s at “expertly springing the trap” against supposedly superior teams. He did this with Australia against New Zealand in 2003; with Japan against South Africa in 2015; and with England against the All Blacks in 2019. Should he repeat the trick in France, the RFU’s decision to sack him would immediately seem like “one of the all-time great corporate howlers”.

Jones is not to be underestimated, said Owen Slot in The Times. After he joined a beleaguered England in 2015, they “won 18 games in succession”, equalling the men’s world record for a winning streak in toptier international rugby. He’s bound to give the Wallabies a “bounce”, which is why the World Cup is such a mouthwatering prospect. But even if Jones is a success in the short-term, that doesn’t mean the RFU were wrong to sack him. Jones excels at turnarounds, but has never been as good at sustaining success. “He builds successful campaigns, he doesn’t build empires.” And last autumn it was abundantly clear that his “England empire had collapsed”.

Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), has vowed to “sort the game out” amid a financial crisis that has engulfed the sport in England.

Earlier this month Worcester Warriors were suspended for the remainder of the 2022-23 Premiership season, and relegated to the Championship, following the club’s collapse into partial liquidation. And now Wasps have been forced into administration will be relegated from the top tier of English club rugby.

The demise of Worcester had already thrown the Premiership “into turmoil”, said BBC Sport. And with Wasps also departing, the “financial viability of the league has come sharply into focus”.

Sweeney believes the current model is “broken” and clubs have been “living beyond their means” for too long. Premiership clubs were “losing £4m to £5m a year” prior to the pandemic and Covid has “exacerbated that”. The sport has been “relying on wealthy benefactors for some time”.

What happened at Worcester?

Founded in 1871, Worcester climbed the rugby pyramid from the eighth tier to the Premiership, said Phil Wilkinson-Jones in the Worcester News.

In August the club’s accounts were frozen after a winding-up petition was issued by HMRC, then in September WRFC Trading Limited, the company that owns the rugby club, was placed in administration and suspended from all competitions. This month WRFC Players Limited, the company that employs the players and staff, was wound up in court.

Worcester ended up in trouble after being “saddled with more than £25m of debt”, including at least £6m in unpaid tax, said PA Sport. Players and staff “had not received their full wages” and a lack of funds led to “major operational shortcomings”.

Worcester’s director of rugby Steve Diamond said the club’s winding-up order was the “darkest day for English rugby”. On 5 October Diamond tweeted that “we thought we could turn the tanker around”, but it’s ended up “like the Titanic”. The “ship has sunk” and the captains are “nowhere to be seen”.

And what about Wasps?

Four-time Premiership winners and two-time European champions Wasps will follow Worcester into England’s second tier – “provided they can find new owners and continue to exist”, said Michael Cantillon on Sky Sports. They are one of England’s “biggest and most famous” clubs, but today announced that 167 staff – including the entire playing and coaching staff – are being made redundant.

Wasps have “twice filed notice to get insolvency experts in to help with their debts”, which run to “tens of millions of pounds”, said BBC Sport. The Coventry-based club had been hopeful of “securing new funding to help with a £35m debt owed to bond holders following their relocation from London in 2014”. But despite talks “ongoing” with interested parties, the club “have been forced to take action”.

Why are clubs struggling?

Covid “undoubtedly exacerbated” the challenges that Premiership rugby clubs were already facing, said Laura Scott on BBC Sport. However, most clubs were “making losses before the pandemic and there were already concerns about the sustainability of what clubs were spending on player wages compared to their incomes”. One club owner told the BBC that the model is “completely flawed”.

While the impact of the pandemic “cannot be ignored”, Worcester “cannot hide behind Covid as a catch-all excuse”, said PA Sport. Factors also include “rising wages for top players and coaches”, a “constant contest to lure in punters” and continued battles to “boost match excitement”.

As league officials “grapple with the crisis engulfing the domestic game”, they “cannot rule out more clubs joining Worcester and Wasps in being suspended from the league on financial grounds”, said Gerard Meagher in The Guardian. Premiership Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor warned that he hasn’t been given any “direct red flags” from clubs, but added that until he gets complete financial oversight he can’t give a “direct answer”.

What happens next?

The situation at Worcester and Wasps has “opened up the possibility of long overdue reform at the top of English rugby”, said Brian Moore in The Telegraph. The RFU should “seize this chance” to “extend reform” to the grassroots game and secure rugby’s long-term future.

RFU chief Sweeney believes a streamlined Premiership makes financial sense and would improve overlap between the domestic and international game, Sky Sports reported. A ten-team first division is seen as “viable for a number of reasons”, and “we’ve been saying for quite some time now that less is more”.

“Everything is on the table”, including a number of “nuclear” options to reshape rugby, said Charlie Morgan in The Telegraph. These include central contracts for England players funded by the RFU.

The financial demise of the clubs has “triggered a review over the sustainability of the sport”, said BBC Sport, and any changes are “expected to happen in time for the 2024-25 season”.

It was a huge weekend of international rugby union with four Test series going to the deciding match on Saturday. In the battle between southern and northern hemisphere nations, Ireland and England secured series wins over New Zealand and Australia respectively. But for Wales and Scotland they were defeated by South Africa and Argentina.

Ireland “created history” by becoming the first northern hemisphere team to win a series against the All Blacks in New Zealand, said Dylan Coetzee on Planet Rugby. In the 32-22 third Test victory in Wellington, Andy Farrell’s team “stunned the locals into silence” as they held off the inevitable “Black-lash”, said Peter O’Reilly in The Times.

With the Rugby World Cup taking place in France next year, Ireland will be considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy. Captain Johnny Sexton has, however, warned his team-mates against complacency and urged them to “just keep getting better”.

England also secured a 2-1 series victory in the southern hemisphere, winning 21-17 against Australia in the third Test in Sydney. The victory was “scruffy in places”, but it could prove “psychologically valuable”, said Robert Kitson in The Guardian. The two sides may meet in the quarter-finals at next year’s World Cup.

While Ireland and England were celebrating series wins, Wales and Scotland were left to rue defeats in their deciding tour Test matches. In Cape Town Wales “bravely failed” in their bid to win a first series against the Springboks in South Africa, with the hosts triumphing 30-14 in the decider, said Gareth Griffiths on the BBC. In Santiago del Estero, Edinburgh winger Emiliano Boffelli scored a dramatic late try for Argentina to deny Scotland a tour series victory. The Scots were 15 points ahead with half an hour left, but the hosts fought back to win 34-31.

The Six Nations entered its final weekend with one side sitting “well ahead of the pack”, said Robert Kitson in The Observer. France, by some distance the “best team in the tournament”, had won their first four matches – meaning only England stood between them and their first grand slam since 2010. And in front of a joyous crowd at the Stade de France, Les Bleus duly got the victory they needed, though they had to work unexpectedly hard to do so. England “offered stout defiance and an occasionally productive kick-chasing game”, while a clearly nervous French side committed far more handling errors than usual. Yet in the end, the simple superiority of the home team’s “all-court” game showed, and they won 25-13. It’s a victory that will have rippled “ominously around the world”. France are the hosts of next year’s Rugby World Cup – and on this evidence they will take some stopping.

Winning the 2023 World Cup has indeed become something of a “national project for the French”, said Andy Bull in The Guardian. It’s a task that has prompted the whole of French rugby to pull together after more than “ten years of bickering”. Under the presidency of Bernard Laporte, the French Rugby Federation has undertaken several much-needed reforms – including cutting back the number of overseas players permitted in domestic leagues, and investing heavily in the country’s youth set-up. And in Fabien Galthié, the national team clearly has a superlative coach, said Jonathan Liew in the same paper. A “restless, ruthless and divisive” individual whose perfectionism “verges on obsession”, Galthié is far from a typical rugby coach. Ahead of France’s recent match against Wales, he summoned the philosopher Charles Pépin to pepper his “players with gnomic rhetorical questions”, including “What is a beautiful team?”. Eddie Jones, Galthié’s counterpart in England, would never contemplate anything like that. And yet the Frenchman’s methods clearly work.

One striking mark of how French rugby is changing is that it’s no longer wholly dominated by its “traditional heartlands” in the rural south and southwest, said John Westerby in The Times. In recent years, an increasing “flow of talent towards the national team” has come from the banlieues that sprawl around Paris – the same inner-city areas that have spawned “such a glut of professional footballers”. Examples in the national team include midfielder Jonathan Danty – who grew up playing for ASPTT Paris Île-de-France, a “small club surrounded by highrises” – and 19-stone prop Demba Bamba, a former junior judo champion who grew up in nearby Saint-Denis. And with new talent continually emerging from this area – the “explosive” Jordan Joseph, seen as “one of the country’s rising stars”, being a case in point – the future of French rugby looks extremely bright.

1. Men’s Six Nations table and round five fixtures

After the fourth round of matches France remain on course for a Six Nations grand slam following their 13-9 victory over Wales in Cardiff. Top of the standings with 18 points from four games, Les Bleus will face England in “Le Crunch” in Paris on Super Saturday.

Ireland’s 32-15 victory over England at Twickenham means they go into the final round in second place, just two points behind the French. To have a chance of winning the championship Ireland will hope to defeat Scotland in Dublin and for England to win in Paris.

Italy put up a spirited display in their 33-22 home loss against Scotland in round four. Still without a win or any points, Italy travel to Wales for their final match on Saturday.

Round five fixtures: Saturday 19 March

• Wales vs. Italy (2.15pm; Principality Stadium, Cardiff; BBC/S4C)
• Ireland vs. Scotland (4.45pm; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; ITV)
• France vs. England (8pm; Stade de France, Paris; ITV)

Table after round four

Graphic: twitter.com/SixNationsRugby

2. Permutations for ‘Super Saturday’: France or Ireland?

With one round of games to go there are just two teams – France and Ireland – who can win the 2022 Six Nations rugby championship.

If France beat England in Paris, they will remain unbeaten in the tournament and claim the grand slam, the BBC said. If they fail to win “it becomes more complicated”, as four points are awarded for a victory, two for a draw and there are bonus points on offer for scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or fewer.

To “boil it down”, Ireland essentially just need to earn two more points than the French next weekend via some method, said Balls.ie. “That would be enough to lift the trophy.”

Now is the “perfect time to get out the calculators” and check all the permutations ahead of round five, said Paul Eddison of SixNationsRugby.com. Here, Eddison breaks down the title chances of both contenders.

• If France win “Le Crunch” against England the title is theirs, regardless of other results
• Ireland could take the title with a draw against Scotland, were France to lose to England without taking anything from the game
• Two losing bonus points would do it for Ireland if France come away with nothing against England. In both scenarios, Ireland would take the title on points difference
• If Ireland win without a bonus point, France could still conceivably take the title with a draw and four-try bonus point

3. Men’s Six Nations results, fixtures and TV coverage

Round one results

• Ireland 29 Wales 7
• Scotland 20 England 17
• France 37 Italy 10

Round two results

• Wales 20 Scotland 17
• France 30 Ireland 24
• Italy 0 England 33

Round three results

• Scotland 17 France 36
• England 23 Wales 19
• Ireland 57 Italy 6

Round four results

• Wales 9 France 13
• Italy 22 Scotland 33
• England 15 Ireland 32

Round five fixtures

Saturday 19 March 2022

• Wales vs. Italy (2.15pm; Principality Stadium, Cardiff; BBC/S4C)
• Ireland vs. Scotland (4.45pm; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; ITV)
• France vs. England (8pm; Stade de France, Paris; ITV)

4. Who will win the men’s Six Nations in 2022?

Pre-tournament predictions

To say France will win the Six Nations “may not be the boldest of claims”, said Alex McLeod on RugbyPass. But for all the plaudits Fabien Galthie’s men have received, “they are remarkably still yet to win any tournaments in this current World Cup cycle”.

In his “somewhat early” predictions made in November, Balls.ie’s Colmán Stanley also picked the French to be victorious in 2022. They are the “clear favourites” having dismantled New Zealand in such a commanding fashion (40-25) in November, plus they have home games against England and Ireland at the Stade de France. However, Stanley believes that five of the six teams are “very capable of beating each other on any given day” and that will make the championship “particularly interesting”.

France and Ireland are in the “best shape” going into the tournament, said Tim Sigsworth on the i news site. But Scotland, England and Wales are “not to be underestimated, even if they are not as strong on paper”. France possess a squad that is “young but teeming with undeniable talent” and Les Bleus will be a “fearsome prospect”.

France can “nail” a Six Nations grand slam, said Mark Orders on WalesOnline. They haven’t won a grand slam since 2010 but “there’s a fair chance that will change this winter”. And what about Wales? “Two wins from five games, beating Italy and Scotland in Cardiff,” he added. “Anything better would be a surprise.”

Planet Rugby has tipped Ireland to win the Triple Crown – but it won’t be enough to stop France, who are predicted to “come of age” and claim the grand slam. “Les Bleus hold all the cards with them facing their likely two closest challengers for the title, Ireland and England, in Paris.”

If Ireland preserve their away record then it could be their year, said the i news site. Under head coach Andy Farrell, Ireland have gone from “strength to strength” and now sit fourth in the world rankings. “Their 30 tournament away victories are more than any other side have managed. That record should instill them with confidence ahead of crunch trips to London and Paris.”

Paddy Power trader Niall Whitty is also tipping Ireland. “They have a knack for putting up their best international performances a year out from the World Cup, winning the Six Nations in 2018 and 2014,” he said. “Can the four-year cycle continue? Here’s hoping!”

5. Men’s Six Nations squads

England squad

• Head coach: Eddie Jones
• Captain: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
• Forwards: Alfie Barbeary (Wasps), Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
• Backs: Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Max Malins (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Elliot Daly (Saracens)

France squad

• Head coach: Fabien Galthie
• Captain: Antoine Dupont
• Forwards: Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Cyril Baille, Demba Bamba, Gaetan Barlot, Daniel Bibi Biziwu, Dylan Cretin, Francois Cros, Ibrahim Diallo, Thibaud Flament, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mohamed Haouas, Anthony Jelonch, Bernard Le Roux, Sekou Macalou, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Yoan Tanga, Romain Taofifenua, Florent Vanverberghe, Florian Verhaeghe, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki
• Backs: Leo Berdeu, Baptiste Couilloud, Jonathan Danty, Brice Dulin, Antoine Dupont, Jules Favre, Antoine Hastoy, Melvyn Jaminet, Matthis Lebel, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa, Tani Vili, Gabin Villiere

Ireland squad

• Head coach: Andy Farrell
• Captain: Johnny Sexton
• Forwards: Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University), Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers), Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne), Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere), Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster), Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf), Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf), Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy), Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians), Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution), Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD), James Ryan (Leinster/UCD), Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne), Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge), Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena), Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)
• Backs: Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen), Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf), Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht), Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon), Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen), Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster), Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers), James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge), Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD), Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College), Michael Lowry (Ulster/Banbridge), Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen), Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD), Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)

Italy squad

• Head coach: Kieran Crowley
• Captain: Michele Lamaro
• Forwards: Pietro Ceccarelli, Danilo Fischetti, Ivan Nemer, Tiziano Pasquali, Cherif Traore, Giosuè Zilocchi, Epalahame Faiva, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Giacomo Nicotera, Niccolò Cannone, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi, Toa Halafihi, Michele Lamaro, Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Pettinelli, Braam Steyn, Manuel Zuliani
• Backs: Callum Braley, Alessandro Fusco, Stephen Varney, Giacomo Da Re, Paolo Garbisi, Leonardo Marin, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Marco Zanon, Pierre Bruno, Montanna Ioane, Tommaso Menoncello, Federico Mori, Edoardo Padovani

Scotland squad

• Head coach: Gregor Townsend
• Captain: Stuart Hogg
• Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Bhatti, Magnus Bradbury, Andy Christie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Nick Haining, Jamie Hodgson, Stuart McInally, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Hamish Watson
• Backs: Mark Bennett, Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Stuart Hogg, Rory Hutchinson, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Rufus McLean, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Kyle Rowe, Finn Russell, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben Vellacott, Ben White

Wales squad

• Head coach: Wayne Pivac
• Captain: Dan Biggar
• Forwards: Rhys Carre (Cardiff), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Bradley Roberts (Ulster), Leon Brown (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Ospreys, vice-captain), Ben Carter (Dragons), Seb Davies (Cardiff), Will Rowlands (Dragons), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Taine Basham (Dragons), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), James Ratti (Cardiff), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)
• Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff), Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Northampton, captain), Rhys Priestland (Cardiff), Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Willis Halaholo (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Josh Adams (Cardiff), Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester), Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets)

6. Women’s Six Nations fixtures

Round one

Saturday 26 March 2022

• Scotland vs. England (12pm; The DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh)
• Ireland vs. Wales (4.45pm; RDS Arena, Dublin)

Sunday 27 March 2022

• France vs. Italy (3pm; Stade des Alpes, Grenoble)

Round two

Saturday 2 April 2022

• France vs. Ireland (2.15pm; Stade Ernest-Wallon, Toulouse)
• Wales vs. Scotland (4.45pm; Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff)

Sunday 3 April 2022

• Italy vs. England (3pm; Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma)

Round three

Saturday 9 April 2022

• England vs. Wales (4.45pm; Kingsholm, Gloucester)

Sunday 10 April 2022

• Scotland vs. France (1pm; Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow)
• Ireland vs. Italy (5pm; Musgrave Park, Cork)

Round four

Friday 22 April 2022

• Wales vs. France (8pm; Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff)

Saturday 23 April 2022

• Italy vs. Scotland (7.20pm; Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma)

Sunday 24 April 2022

• England vs. Ireland (12pm; Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, Leicester)

Round five

Saturday 30 April 2022

• Wales vs. Italy (12pm; Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff)
• France vs. England (2.15pm; Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne)
• Ireland vs. Scotland (8pm; Kingspan Stadium, Belfast)

Since losing the 2019 World Cup to South Africa, England’s rugby team have been an uninspiring prospect, said Robert Kitson in The Observer. Their play has been stodgy and risk-averse, their results decidedly mixed. In the Six Nations earlier this year, they slumped to a lowly fifth place – a result that led to calls for the sacking of their coach, Eddie Jones.

But what a transformation has taken place since, said Oliver Brown in The Daily Telegraph. Over the summer, Jones refreshed England’s squad, bringing in a clutch of talented young players – notably the Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith – and recalibrated his side’s tactics. The results have been plain to see during this autumn’s internationals. Jones’s side have simply been unrecognisable from the “rabble” they resembled earlier this year – in a series of fine performances they have achieved a clean sweep of victories in their three Tests.

The spirit and unity of the new-look England were plain to see at Twickenham on Saturday, when they took on South Africa, said Chris Foy in the Daily Mail. It was an immensely challenging match, and for much of it Jones’s side were “under siege against a dominant South African pack”. But displaying a “never-say-die courage”, they held their own magnificently – and ultimately clinched a last-gasp victory when Smith drew a penalty a minute from the end within clear sight of the posts. Showing a composure that belied his age and experience, the 22-year-old nervelessly kicked it home to give his side a one-point victory.

South Africa shouldn’t have lost this, said Stuart Barnes in The Times. Clearly the better side, they scored 18 points in penalties to England’s eight – a difference that normally would result in a comfortable victory. In short, the Springboks “blew it”. Still, Jones deserves applause for adopting more adventurous tactics and selecting with an eye to the future. Finally, his England look like a side worth following.

Scotland were one of the surprise packages of this year’s Six Nations, beating both England and France away from home, said Alasdair Reid in The Times. And on Sunday, Gregor Townsend’s side proved those wins “were no flashes in the pan” by battling to a 15-13 victory against Australia.

The match was too error-strewn to be a classic, said Michael Aylwin in The Guardian, but it contained plenty of drama. Scotland’s two debutants, hooker Ewan Ashman and flanker Josh Bayliss, were especially impressive, said Richard Bath in The Daily Telegraph. Indeed, 21- year-old Ashman – called into action in the tenth minute – was responsible for the afternoon’s stand-out moment: a wonderful, twisting try in the corner to give his team a crucial lead in the second half.

His performance personified Scotland’s overall effort: “assured, confident, and doggedly hanging in there when things got tough”. The team can’t rest on their laurels, as they now face world champions South Africa. But after that morale-boosting victory over the Wallabies, they’ll approach even that “daunting prospect” with confidence.

England, who meet Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, will also be confident, said Robert Kitson in The Guardian. Last week they dismantled Tonga 69-3, their standout performer being another young substitute: 22-year-old Harlequin fly-half Marcus Smith, who came on for the final 28 minutes and scored one of his team’s 11 tries. Smith has long been talked of as a once-in-a-generation talent: some refer to him as the “brightest young thing since Jonny Wilkinson”.

The only thing holding him back from a regular starting place seems to be Eddie Jones’s well-known cautiousness about blooding young players. England’s coach needs to get over this reluctance: “Marcus Smith simply must play at No. 10 against Australia this week, full stop.”

“As statements of intent go, it’s hard to think of a more emphatic one,” said Gavin Mairs in The Daily Telegraph. After their “year of soul-searching” in rugby’s second division – imposed for breaching the salary cap – Saracens returned to the top flight last Friday with a resounding 26-9 victory over Bristol Bears, who finished top of the Premiership Rugby table last season.

It was a performance reminiscent of Saracens’s Premiership and Champions Cup double in 2018-19 – one marked by grit and defensive resilience and “embellished by a sensational kicking performance by Alex Lozowski”, who scored seven penalties. Their level of play was particularly impressive given that all five of their British & Irish Lions players were being rested, said Owen Slot in The Times. If Saracens can play this well minus their best players, “you wonder what they’ll be like” when they’ve their full squad to choose from.

Bristol, for their part, were surprisingly conservative, said Gerard Meagher in The Guardian. Neglecting the expansive style that marked their title run last year, they instead tried to out-kick their opponents. The strategy failed badly: it was the first home match in two years in which the Bears have failed to score a try.

Saracens, by contrast, were “suffocating, stifling and ultimately supremely successful”. They are already the bookies’ favourites for this year’s title – and on this evidence, they deserve to be.

The British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa is under threat because of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading organisers to examine possible alternatives for the unique international rugby union series.

As things stand, the Lions squad - which is made up from English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh players - are due in South Africa in July and August. They are scheduled to play eight matches in total - five warm-up games and then three Tests against the Springboks.

However, with travel restricted and both the UK and South Africa struggling with outbreaks and new variants of the coronavirus, rugby chiefs will be considering Plan B, Plan C or even Plan D for the summer schedule.

There has been talk that games could be being played behind closed doors in South Africa or switched to the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports reports. Delaying until 2022 or hosting matches in Australia this year are also possibilities.

‘We’re here to help’

At this month’s Australian Open tennis grand slam, 30,000 fans a day will be allowed to watch the action at Melbourne Park, Reuters reports. This would make it the “most significant international event with crowds that the world has seen in many, many months”, said Victoria state sports minister Martin Pakula.

With sport returning to some normality in the country, rugby chiefs down under are ready to step in and help the Lions if needed.

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan told the Sydney Morning Herald: “What we learnt from the Tri Nations last year and the tennis that’s happening now is that Australia can successfully stage global tournaments in a Covid world.

“It’s particularly tough in the UK and South Africa at the moment and I believe the more international rugby that gets played here, the better. We’re here to help.”

‘Another soulless game’

Australia’s offer to host the Test series this summer has “been added to the options under consideration by Lions management”, The Scotsman reports.

Despite the prospect of bumper crowds in the alternative host nation, The Guardian understands the British & Irish Lions management are likely to reject the “generous” offer from Australia.

Games being played behind-closed-doors in South Africa looks the likeliest solution. A decision is expected by the end of this month.

Brenden Nel, writer for African broadcaster SuperSport, believes that playing the Lions series anywhere but South Africa will make it “just another soulless game”.

He said: “The Lions have always represented something more than a rugby game. Playing the series in the UK or Australia may get the games played, but it will destroy the Lions as a romantic rugby ideal. And nobody should be happy with that.”

Rugby union’s governing bodies could face lawsuits from up to 70 more former players over head injuries sustained during their careers.

This week it was reported that England World Cup winner Steve Thompson and seven other ex-players are in the process of starting a negligence claim against authorities after being left with permanent brain damage.

All eight have recently been diagnosed with the early signs of dementia, and they say repeated blows to the head are to blame, the BBC reports. When asked about the 2003 World Cup Thompson, 42, said: “I can’t remember any of those games. It’s frightening.”

The concussion lawsuit has been a “bombshell” for the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby, says the Daily Mail.

It’s understood that a British law firm has been instructed to act on behalf of around 70 ex-players who want to sue for damages over head injuries, claiming they have suffered amnesia, depression, migraines and dementia.

Safety measures

Leading brain injury lawyer Ipek Tugcu of Bolt Burdon Kemp said immediate safety measures could be taken by authorities to reduce the risk of lawsuits from current and future players, The Guardian reports.

If governing bodies are found guilty of a breach of their duty of care, the impact would be “astronomical”. Tugcu said: “The financial pay-outs per athlete could easily reach six-figure sums or more as they will need to cover all injuries and financial losses due to the injury.”

This week’s news has been “very distressing for everyone”, said Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) chief executive Damian Hopley. He told BBC Sport that the way players train needs to be addressed by governing bodies “very quickly” and more education was needed.

“A big percentage of injuries occur during training so I think that has to be part of the opportunity to address these things and look at what can we do to make the game safer, as has been talked about,” he said. “Perhaps training protocols is something we need to address very quickly.”

1. Jones reveals big ambition

England head coach Eddie Jones has signed a contract extension that will see him lead the nation until the end of the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

The Australian was appointed England chief in November 2015 and in four years he has won two Six Nations titles, including the grand slam in 2016.

He also led England to last year’s Rugby World Cup final where they lost 32-12 to South Africa.

The 60-year-old has unfinished business and he said: “The extension is a great honour for me, but in the current environment, it is only right to acknowledge what a difficult time the world is facing.

“We are all looking forward to a time when we can get back to playing rugby and use the sport as a force for good in bringing people back together.

“I never thought coming here four years ago I would be doing a second four years but the circumstances are right. Obviously it is important for the team that we keep improving and my focus will be solely on that.

“I am excited about raising the standards again. We have a great team. We set out four years ago to be the best team in the world and unfortunately we missed that by 80 minutes.

“Now we want to be the team that is remembered as being the greatest team the game has ever seen. It’s a big ambition but I believe we are capable of doing it.

“We have players with an enhanced reputation, we have a team that is expected to do well, so it’s a great opportunity for us to keep moving forward.”

2. Murray: I’ll be back at Wimbledon

British tennis ace Andy Murray is “very sad” that Wimbledon has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak but he has vowed to return next year.

The two-time winner said on Facebook: “Very sad that the Fever-Tree Championships and Wimbledon have been cancelled this year but with all that is going on in the world right now, everyone’s health is definitely the most important thing.

“Looking forward to getting back on the grass next year already! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy #StayHomeSaveLives.”

‘Devastated’: Roger Federer reacts to Wimbledon cancellation

3. BBC to air memorable moments

The BBC will broadcast classic sporting moments including the opening ceremony from the London 2012 Olympic Games, the best of Euro 96 and Andy Murray’s maiden triumph at Wimbledon in 2013.

Barbara Slater, BBC director of sport, said: “In these unprecedented and difficult times we are delighted to bring some of the most incredible sporting events from years gone by to our audiences over the next few months.

“From glorious moments at the Olympics including the magic of London 2012, thrilling Euro 96 matches, wonderful Wimbledon moments and the best of World Championship snooker, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

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4. The Open is still on the schedule... for now

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, has denied reports that The 149th Open at Royal St George’s will be cancelled. However, while no decision has yet been made regarding the golf major in July discussions are ongoing.

Slumbers said: “We are continuing to work through our options for The Open this year, including postponement. Due to a range of external factors, that process is taking some time to resolve.

“We are well aware of the importance of being able to give clear guidance to fans, players and everyone involved and are working to resolve this as soon as we can.

“We will give a further update as soon as we are in a position to do so and thank everyone for their support and understanding in this challenging situation.”

5. Klopp lined up to replace Low

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is being earmarked by Germany as the successor to Joachim Low.

The Daily Mirror reports that Klopp is committed to Liverpool until 2024 but apparently the German Football Association is determined to bring him back home to take over from Low.

Rashford wants to play alongside Sancho in Man Utd’s attack

6. Barca want Neymar-Griezmann deal

Sky Sports reports that Spanish champions Barcelona are hoping to strike a part-exchange deal with Paris Saint-Germain that would see Neymar return to the Camp Nou and Antoine Griezmann go to the French capital.

Barca value France international Griezmann at £88m (€100m) while PSG reportedly value Neymar at £135m (€150m).

7. Runners confirmed for Virtual National

The 40 runners have been confirmed for Saturday’s Virtual Grand National.

Oddschecker says Tiger Roll is the clear favourite at 5/1, ahead of Any Second Now (10/1) and Burrows Saint (12/1).

Tiger Roll will also go head-to-head against Red Rum in a Race of Champions featuring 40 legendary National horses.

Virtual Grand National 2020 guide: runners and betting odds

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8. Wolff denies Aston Martin rumours

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has denied reports that he could leave to join Aston Martin’s works team in 2021.

Aston Martin will make its return to F1 next year and with Wolff out of contract at the end of the 2020 season it’s speculated that he could be brought in to lead the new outfit.

Wolff said: “There is no truth to the rumours that I’m going to be CEO of Aston Martin. I’m in a partnership with Daimler in the F1 team and that’s my priority.”

9. Stokes hits back at ‘utter lies’

Metro reports that England cricket hero Ben Stokes has launched a broadside at what he calls the “utter lies” being spread about him and some of his team-mates.

A report on ESPNCricinfo alleged that England’s centrally contracted players had “declined the offer to accept a temporary pay cut” as part of cricket’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

10. Back pages: Prem wages war

The Times and the Daily Mirror carry the comments on their back pages of MP Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.

Knight has accused the Premier League of “living in a moral vacuum” after several clubs furloughed non-playing staff while continuing to pay the astronomical salaries of their players.

“Wages war” is the Mirror’s headline, as is the Daily Express’s, with both papers reporting that in fact several clubs want to do their bit to help those in the sport less fortunate than themselves.

Today’s sport headlines

Premier League heads for civil war over pay cuts

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Six Nations round four: England vs. Wales

• When: Saturday 7 March
• Where: Twickenham, London
• Start time: 4.45pm (GMT)
• TV coverage: live on ITV and S4C

England head coach Eddie Jones has warned Wales that his team “owe them one” after their 21-13 defeat in last year’s Six Nations rugby championship.

That victory in Cardiff helped Wales win the grand slam and Jones is out for revenge when the teams clash at Twickenham tomorrow.

“They beat us last year so we owe them one,” said Jones, who was speaking shortly after it was confirmed that England’s match against Italy in Rome on 14 March had been cancelled.

“They’ve got a new coach and they’ll want to make a statement on Saturday. Traditionally our games are very close so they’ll come with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of energy.”

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Wilson and Watson return

Jones has made two changes to the side that outplayed Ireland last month, bringing in Mark Wilson for the injured Sam Underhill in the back row and naming fit-again Anthony Watson on the right wing in place of Jonathan Joseph.

The England coach, who was obliged to rest Underhill because of a head injury, said: “Anthony trained really well. We haven’t seen much of him but he’s come back in and is fully fit and ready to go.

“Wilson is one of those tough uncompromising players that you always want in your team. We are disappointed that Sam can’t play, but we have a great replacement.”

Ring rusty

Wilson and Watson last played a Test match in last year’s Rugby World Cup, as did two Welshman who will face them tomorrow.

Liam Williams, normally a full-back, has been selected on the wing in place of the injured Josh Adams, and Josh Navidi gets the nod at No.8 from head coach Wayne Pivac ahead of Taulupe Faletau.

Dan Biggar has been named at fly-half despite concerns he might not be fit after a knock in a club game for Northampton last week.

The sight of Biggar will be a reassuring one for Welsh fans in Twickenham, as will that of their captain, Alun Wyn Jones, who will tomorrow become his country’s most capped player in the Six Nations with 57 appearances, surpassing the record set by Gethin Jenkins.

Tough task

Wales haven’t beaten England in the Six Nations at Twickenham since 2012 and for Pivac - who replaced Warren Gatland as coach in November - it is a formidable challenge especially as the Welsh have lost their last two matches.

“We’ve prepared as well as we can, we’ve got a good side taking the field,” Pivac said. “But judging [England] on that Ireland game, this is going to be a big task.”

How the teams line up at Twickenham

England starting XV

• Elliot Daly; Anthony Watson, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (captain), Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry
• Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels, Ben Earl, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade

Wales starting XV

• Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Nick Tompkins, Hadleigh Parkes, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi
• Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Aaron Shingler, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Johnny McNicholl

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England’s Six Nations game against Italy in Rome on 14 March has been postponed indefinitely, reports The Times, after the Italian government ruled it would have to be played behind closed doors.

With the number of deaths from coronavirus in Italy now in three figures, Giuseppe Conte, the Italian prime minister, issued a decree yesterday that supporters would be barred from attending all sporting events until 3 April in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus.

That includes Lyon’s trip next week to Juventus in the second leg of the Champions League last 16.

According to the Times the Italian Rugby Federation and the Six Nations discussed whether to comply with the decree or postpone the match until after the ban is lifted. The decision was the latter.

Reschedule at a later date

Six Nations organisers said in a statement today: “Six Nations notes the decree issued by the Italian Government on 4 March with respect to all upcoming sporting events in that country.

“The decision has now been taken to postpone the three matches between Italy and England [men’s, women’s, and U20] set to take place over the weekend of 13/14/15 March, with the intention to reschedule them at later dates.

“Based on the information that is currently available, all other Six Nations matches are set to go ahead as scheduled.

“As previously stated, Six Nations fully intends to complete all 15 games across all three championships when time allows. We will refrain from making any rescheduling announcements while we keep assessing the situation.

“Six Nations will continue to monitor developments with our unions and their respective governments and health authorities.

“We remain fully supportive of any preventative measures taken in the interests of overall public health in relation to the coronavirus and we will respect instructions provided by government authorities and health organisations.”

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Travel chaos

The Sun says the news will “cause chaos for 20,000 Red Rose fans who have already booked travel for England’s final game of the tournament”.

Last week Ireland postponed their match in Dublin against Italy, scheduled for this Saturday, and the abandonment of their final fixture against England means the Italians’s tournament is over.

It also means a further headache for the tournament organisers.

Fixture jam

The Six Nations committee had met in Paris on Monday to confirm that the other two matches scheduled for this weekend - England vs. Wales and Scotland vs. France - will go ahead.

With a packed domestic and European club between now and June, the earliest opportunity to replay the Ireland vs. Italy match would be 27 June, when there are no club matches, but England are due to depart on that weekend for a Test series in Japan.

That tour, of course, could be in jeopardy, given what The Times describes as the “unpredictable nature of the outbreak”.

France vs. Ireland in doubt

The biggest losers from the disrupted tournament are likely to be France, the only unbeaten team in the championship, and favourites to win their first Six Nations title since 2010.

They play their penultimate game against Scotland on Sunday - which recent form suggests they will win - and are then due to host Ireland in Paris in their final match on 14 March.

But the Times says that game is also “in doubt” after the French Rugby Federation met with government authorities yesterday to discuss a postponement.

Ireland are scheduled to tour Australia this summer and France are due in Argentina, so the most likely date to play the match would be in October, by which time the notoriously inconsistent French could have lost the momentum they have built up in recent weeks.

Moreover, despite the announcement from the Scottish Rugby Union that it will be implementing a “wide range of measures to protect public health” for Sunday’s match against France, (including the provision of hand sanitisers for all fans), it is expected that the French government will forbid supporters from flying to Edinburgh.

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This weekend’s Six Nations matches between England and Wales and Scotland and France will go ahead after an emergency meeting of the rugby championship’s committee in Paris.

Italy’s visit to Ireland on Saturday was postponed last week after pressure from the Irish government, and there were fears that the two other matches would also be shelved as the number of coronavirus cases continue to grow throughout Europe.

Despite concerns across the continent, Six Nations organisers took a more measured approach in announcing that “based on the latest information” the rest of the tournament will go ahead as scheduled.

According to The Guardian, the Rugby Football Union is “taking its guidance from Public Health England”, which has not yet banned public gatherings, unlike France, where assemblies of more than 5,000 people have been prohibited.

The Paris half-marathon was cancelled on Sunday, and the French capital’s book fair has also been axed, yet there have been no restrictions about travelling on the city’s public transport system, which illustrates the lack of coherent strategy to tackling the virus.

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Cancellation crisis

It is expected that the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today unveil a series of measures to be implemented in response to the spread of the virus, and they may include sporting events.

The Six Nations couldn’t come up with a new date for the Ireland vs. Italy game, but the Guardian reports that “the intention is to reschedule the fixture and complete the tournament”.

It’s unlikely that a slot could be found before October, however, and the challenge will be even greater if other matches are also cancelled in the coming days.

Ireland are scheduled to play France in Paris on Saturday week but it’s hard to see how that match will go ahead given the way the French government is reacting to the epidemic.

Coronavirus: what is the plan for a UK outbreak?

Football fever

As for the football authorities, The Times reports that the FA, Premier League and English Football League bosses “have held initial discussions over what steps to take if measures are introduced to limit mass gatherings”.

Like France, Italy and Switzerland have introduced restrictions and their English counterparts fear that there could be similar measures taken by their government.

One option under consideration is to play matches behind closed doors and broadcast them as normal. However, says the Times, there is concern that such a scenario “would potentially lead to people gathering in numbers outside stadiums anyway”.

Six Nations round four fixtures

• Saturday 7 March: England vs. Wales (4.45pm GMT; live on ITV and S4C)
• Sunday 8 March: Scotland vs. France (3pm GMT; live on BBC)
• Ireland vs. Italy: postponed

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The 2020 Six Nations rugby championship could be “thrown into turmoil” by the spread of coronavirus in Italy.

Seven people have died from the virus in Italy in recent days as the country struggles to contain its spread.

BBC Sport reports that many schools and colleges were closed yesterday in the north of the country, which is at the epicentre of the outbreak, and sporting fixtures were also cancelled, including Sunday’s women’s Six Nations match between Italy and Scotland.

Inter Milan’s Europa League last-32 home match against Ludogorets will go ahead as scheduled on Thursday but it will be played behind closed doors.

Monitoring the situation

The Italians are due to play Ireland in Dublin on 7 March and according to Irish broadcaster RTE, Six Nations organisers are “closely monitoring” the coronavirus situation in Italy.

In a statement, the tournament organisers said they are “in regular contact with the FIR [Italian union] and all other unions and federations as well as the relevant local authorities and health organisations”.

Ireland’s health minister Simon Harris said that “big decisions” will have to be made in the interest of public safety, adding: “This situation is evolving. The weekend’s activities have shown that there is still an awful lot unknown about the coronavirus and about the path it might take.”

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Anti-climax

Also in doubt, reports The Times, is England’s trip to Rome on the final weekend of the competition on 14 March.

Two Guinness Pro14 matches scheduled for this weekend - Zebre vs. Ospreys in Parma and Benetton vs. Ulster in Treviso - have already been postponed and the Times doesn’t sound optimistic that England’s game will go ahead.

“The RFU was in contact with Six Nations officials yesterday and is understood to be anxious for an early decision, it is seen as a matter of priority,” said the paper.

Organisers must also act quickly in the best interest of the tens of thousands of England fans who traditionally make the trip to Rome.

Foot and mouth

England, Ireland and France are all title contenders and postponing matches “would throw the championship into turmoil”, but such a move wouldn’t be unprecedented.

In 2001 an outbreak of foot and mouth disease forced Ireland to postpone its three home matches until the following autumn, a decision that had unfortunate consequences for England.

Having slaughtered Wales 44-14, Italy 80-23, Scotland 43-3 and France 48-19, the rampant English were steaming towards a grand slam, but by the time they went to Dublin for the rearranged fixture seven months later their momentum had gone and they slumped to a narrow defeat.

Six Nations fixtures

Round four fixtures

• Saturday 7 March: Ireland vs. Italy (2.15pm GMT; ITV); England vs. Wales (4.45pm GMT; ITV and S4C)
• Sunday 8 March: Scotland vs. France (3pm GMT; BBC)

Round five fixtures: Saturday 14 March

• Wales vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; BBC and S4C)
• Italy vs. England (4.45pm GMT; ITV)
• France vs. Ireland (8pm GMT; BBC)

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Six Nations round three

• Saturday 22 February: Italy vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; live on ITV); Wales vs. France (4.45pm GMT; live on BBC and S4C)
• Sunday 23 February: England vs. Ireland (3pm GMT; live on ITV)

There was a time when the Six Nations was only about what happened on the pitch but increasingly now the coaches are the ones creating headlines.

England’s Eddie Jones is rarely off the back pages, what with his penchant for putting his foot in it (be it winding up the French or winding up the Scots), and the Aussie was at it again yesterday with an ill-judged quip to reporters.

Asked about his reputed meditation practices (admittedly an irrelevant question on the eve of England’s clash with Ireland), Jones flippantly replied: “I don’t think I’ve ever spoken about meditation. You must be thinking about someone else. Maybe another half-Asian person.”

Then, with a smile, the half-Japanese Jones, said: “Maybe we all look the same.”

Coach clanger

It was a crass quip and one that was seized on by journalists looking for headlines.

“England coach drops a clanger” declared The Guardian on its back page, while the Daily Mirror, The Times and The Daily Telegraph also pointed an accusing finger at the Australian.

The latter said he had “sparked a racism row”, which is a little far-fetched given that Jones subsequently sought out the reporter to whom he had made the comment and apologised, an apology which was accepted.

The Rugby Football Union attempted to draw a line under the incident with a statement that said: “Eddie made an off-the-cuff comment during the press conference which was not intended to cause any offence.”

French fury

But Jones should have known better in this era of professional offence-taking, which has evidently spread across the channel to France.

Les Bleus play Wales tomorrow and it promises to be a feisty affair after the French reacted badly to suggestions earlier in the week by Wales that they were prone to cheating in the scrum.

“It’s a lack of respect towards our scrum, towards our team, towards French rugby, towards our nation,” fumed coach Fabian Galthie, perhaps forgetting that when the two sides met in the quarter-final of last year’s World Cup a Frenchman was sent off for elbowing a Welshman in the face.

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Takes two

The France manager, Raphael Ibanez, endorsed his coach’s comments, saying the Welsh criticism was a “blatant, childish attack”.

Ibanez then ceded the moral high ground with a childish attack of his own, accusing Wales of selecting Dan Biggar despite concerns over his recent head injuries.

He said: “We could also question the fate of their fly-half who has been knocked out several times but has been going through the concussion protocol managed by the Welsh federation.”

It’s all becoming increasingly tiresome, reminiscent of the bad old days of the Premier League when Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger couldn’t stop bad-mouthing each other on the back pages.

Rugby is rotten

Ironically, on the same day as these latest spats, former Ireland and Ulster lock Dan Tuohy announced his retirement with a blistering broadside at what the sport has become.

“It’s starting to look like it’s rotten from the core,” he said in a social media post. “Integrity and loyalty is a thing of the past, even a simple gesture of looking someone in the eye has gone.”

Rugby’s not that far gone but it’s a sport that needs to clean up its act and coaches should set an example and shut up.

Jones names team for Ireland test

England head coach Jones has named his team to face Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday.

An injury to George Furbank means that Elliot Daly moves to full-back and Jonathan Joseph starts on the wing. Ben Youngs is selected at scrum-half.

Manu Tuilagi returns at centre, Joe Marler is at prop in place of Mako Vunipola and Courtney Lawes is on the flank.

England team

• Starting XV: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Jonathan Joseph, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Tom Curry
• Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Charlie Ewels, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Willi Heinz, 23 Henry Slade

Ireland team to face England

• Starting XV: 15. Jordan Larmour, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Jonathan Sexton (captain), 9. Conor Murray; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. CJ Stander
• Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Andrew Porter, 19. Devin Toner, 20. Caelan Doris, 21. John Cooney, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Keith Earls

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Six Nations round three fixtures

• Saturday 22 February: Italy vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; live on ITV); Wales vs. France (4.45pm GMT; live on BBC and S4C)
• Sunday 23 February: England vs. Ireland (3pm GMT; live on ITV)

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is hoping that a visit from U2 frontman Bono will inspire his side to a third successive victory in this year’s Six Nations rugby championship.

Singer Bono, a keen rugby fan, paid a visit to Ireland’s team hotel on Tuesday night ahead of their match against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

Farrell told IRFU TV: “We’re unbelievably privileged. He was top of the wish list. He was great, he put real time and effort into it. He’s a private guy who doesn’t really do these things. But he loves his rugby. His wife Ali came along as well and she loves her rugby as well.

“He told us some stories and we got a lot out of it. He’s a proud Irishman so we connect to that. The key for us is making sure we do the homework and the guests that come in, we get something out of it.

“So the lads certainly did their homework and asked the questions and got the answers that they wanted from it.”

For Sunday’s clash Farrell has kept faith with the same 15 that beat Wales two weeks ago and only makes one change to his bench with back-rower Caelan Doris replacing Max Deegan.

England, who have one win and one loss from their opening two games, will name their team tomorrow.

Eddie Jones’s side have not beaten Ireland at Twickenham since 2016 but they could be boosted by the return of Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade.

However, Anthony Watson is still out because of a calf injury and Mako Vunipola misses out due to a personal issue.

Ireland team to face England

• Starting XV: 15. Jordan Larmour, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Jonathan Sexton (captain), 9. Conor Murray; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. CJ Stander
• Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Andrew Porter, 19. Devin Toner, 20. Caelan Doris, 21. John Cooney, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Keith Earls

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Townsend makes three changes

Italy and Scotland, the two sides still without a victory in this year’s championship, go head-to-head at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his team with Chris Harris replacing Huw Jones in midfield, lock Ben Toolis coming in for the injured Jonny Gray and Stuart McInally taking the place of Fraser Brown.

Townsend said: “We believe Chris [Harris] and Stuart [McInally] deserve this opportunity. They were very close to the starting XV when we entered this campaign. We think this is the right time for them to come in.

“Chris has been excellent for Gloucester this season and has continued to make improvements since the summer. He works very hard on both sides of the ball, which will be important this week.

“Stuart [McInally] has shown over the past few weeks he’s back to full fitness and is raring to go and Ben gets an opportunity to start following Jonny’s injury against England.

“Second row is a position we have a lot of competition with a number of very good players available for selection. We’re looking forward to seeing how he combines again with Scott [Cummings] after a successful outing together against Russia in the World Cup.”

Italy interim head coach Franco Smith will name his team at 2pm this afternoon. Wales and France also announce their teams today.

Scotland team to face Italy

• Starting XV: 15. Stuart Hogg (captain), 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Blair Kinghorn, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Ali Price; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Stuart McInally, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Ben Toolis, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Magnus Bradbury
• Replacements: 16. Fraser Brown, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Willem Nel, 19. Grant Gilchrist, 20. Matt Fagerson, 21. George Horne, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Byron McGuigan

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England beat Scotland at a storm-swept Murrayfield on Saturday to win the Calcutta Cup but in a dire game of Six Nations rugby most of the talking points were about events off the field.

One of the England coaching staff, Neil Craig, was hit by a plastic bottle thrown from the crowd and thousands of Scottish fans booed and jeered Owen Farrell every time he kicked for goal.

Despite the Edinburgh aggression, England kept their composure amid gale-force winds and driving rain to win 13-6 with substitute prop Ellis Genge scoring the only try of the game when he barreled over from close range on 70 minutes.

Sausage swipe

In a bristling post-match interview Genge labelled England’s critics as “sausages”, and he was followed to the microphone by an equally acerbic Eddie Jones.

“We weren’t expecting beer bottles to be thrown at us,” said England head coach Jones. “That’s a pretty good achievement isn’t it, throwing beer bottles. You have to be pretty brave to throw a beer bottle. Neil has a hard head, I know that, and there is not much inside it!”

Despite trying to make light of the incident, Jones was visibly angry at the antics of the Scottish crowd, added: “It’s not good behaviour… If that’s how the Scottish fans are going to be respectful we have to acknowledge it and just get on with it.”

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Scots sorry

In response to the incident a Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) spokesperson said an apology had been “extended” to England, adding that “there is no evidence the bottle was thrown or intended to hit any individual”.

The defeat will increase the pressure on Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, whose side are still without a win the championship, as will an interview in The Sunday Times with Finn Russell.

The fly-half, axed from the squad last month after allegedly breaking team regulations, challenged the official version of events and said there was little chance of his returning to the squad as long as Townsend remained at the helm.

England eye Erasmus?

Meanwhile the Rugby Football Union (RFU) were forced to issue a statement on Sunday denying media reports that they have sounded out South Africa chief Rassie Erasmus about replacing Jones.

Erasmus guided the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory last year, including a 32-12 hammering of England in the final, and has since changed roles to become the country’s director of rugby.

South African media claimed at the weekend that the RFU have made an approach to Erasmus to replace Jones, whose contract expires in 2021.

But that drew a swift response from RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, who said: “The reports are 100% inaccurate. There has been no meeting. There have been no talks whatsoever about any position at the RFU.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, Erasmus is in the UK for commercial reasons and his lawyer, Frikkie Erasmus, told the paper: “He is flavour of the month because he won the World Cup, so he is being linked with every position going, but he has no intention of going anywhere.”

Irish eyes smiling

In the weekend’s other two matches, Ireland comfortably beat Wales 24-14 and France were a model of inconsistency in seeing off a spirited Italian outfit 35-22 in Paris.

The week two results leaves the French and the Irish as the only two unbeaten teams in the tournament but neither has yet hit the road in the championship.

That will change in a fortnight when Ireland travel to Twickenham and France face Wales in Cardiff.

Six Nations results and fixtures

Round two results

• Ireland 24 Wales 14
• Scotland 6 England 13
• France 35 Italy 22

Round three fixtures

• Saturday 22 February: Italy vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; ITV); Wales vs. France (4.45pm GMT; BBC and S4C)
• Sunday 23 February: England vs. Ireland (3pm GMT; ITV)

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Scotland vs. England

• What: Six Nations round two
• When: Saturday 8 February
• Where: BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
• Start time: 4.45pm GMT
• TV coverage: live on BBC

It’s been a stormy few days for English rugby following their thrashing by France but things could get even more tempestuous tomorrow when they play Scotland in the Calcutta Cup.

Weather reports indicate that Storm Ciara will sweep across Scotland, bringing heavy rain and high winds, both of which could have a significant bearing on the Six Nations clash.

“I’ve been looking at the weather forecast every day and it has started to close in,” said Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. “It’s now looking like it’ll be wet and windy around kick-off time.”

Asked if the conditions will affect his team tactics, Townsend replied: “It’ll be a factor in how we play. England kick the ball a lot - they average 33 kicks a game - so I don’t think they’ll kick it less because the weather is poor.

“They’ll kick it more and we’ll have to deal with that. We have to make smart decisions if we are receiving ball in our half.”

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Calcutta kickathon

If the weather is as bad as predicted it will suit England more than their hosts.

Scotland are still without their experienced and talented fly-half Finn Russell - dropped after breaking a team curfew last month - and in his place they have the raw Adam Hastings.

Russell is one of the game’s most astute fly-halves: adaptable, versatile and a master tactician. Hastings has talent but is still learning his craft at this level.

In contrast England have George Ford at No.10, another intelligent kicker who will know how to exploit the conditions. Alongside him at inside centre is captain Owen Farrell, who may be out of form at the moment but is still a crafty kicker of the ball.

Then again, if the Calcutta Cup does become a kickathon, expect Scotland to test the catching skills of England full-back George Furbank, who experienced a difficult international debut in Paris. His hands were buttery against France and Scotland will send some high balls his way early on.

Furbank has retained his place in a starting XV showing five changes from the side that lined up against France.

Scrum-half Ben Youngs has been replaced by Willi Heinz, Courtney Lawes has given way to Lewis Ludlam in the back-row, Jonathan Joseph is in at centre for the injured Manu Tuilagi and the Saracens duo of Mako Vunipola and George Kruis come in for Joe Marler and Charlie Ewels at prop and lock.

Scotland have resisted making wholesale changes, despite their dispiriting defeat in Dublin, with No.8 Magnus Bradbury for Nick Haining their only shuffle in the side that lost to Ireland.

Up for it

Whatever the weather, England head coach Eddie Jones is expecting a torrid afternoon and he clearly hasn’t forgotten what happened in 2018 when there was a fracas in the tunnel before the game started.

“We just have to be prepared for anything,” he said. “We know they are going to come at us, try and distract us and put us off our games and they were able to do that in the tunnel two years ago.

“There could be more of the same this year or it could be something else.”

Six Nations: England tell Scotland ‘we hate you too’

Matchday squads

Scotland team

• Starting XV: 15. Stuart Hogg (captain), 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Blair Kinghorn, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Ali Price; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Magnus Bradbury
• Replacements: 16. Stuart McInally, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Simon Berghan, 19. Ben Toolis, 20. Nick Haining, 21. George Horne, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Chris Harris

England team

• Starting XV: 15 George Furbank, 14 Jonny May, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Willi Heinz; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Tom Curry
• Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Courtney Lawes, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Ben Youngs, 23 Ollie Devoto

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Scotland vs. England

• What: Six Nations round two
• When: Saturday 8 February
• Where: BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
• Start time: 4.45pm GMT
• TV coverage: live on BBC

England travel to Edinburgh on Saturday knowing that the whole of Scotland hates them - and the feeling is mutual.

Just 24 hours after Scotland centre Sam Johnson went public on his feelings for the “Auld Enemy”, England’s Lewis Ludlum assured the men north of the border that they’re not really his cup of tea.

“They hate us and we hate them, there is no difference,” said the Northampton Saints flanker ahead of the Six Nations clash.

In an age when everyone is terrified of giving offence by saying the wrong thing, it’s rather refreshing to hear two antagonists firing verbal broadsides at will, and the war of words is sure to intensify between now and Saturday afternoon when the two sides run out at Murrayfield.

Tunnel tussle

Two years ago in this fixture, emotions became so fraught that the sides squared up in the tunnel before kick-off.

It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if there was a similar incident on Saturday, especially as both England and Scotland have something to prove to their supporters after dismal defeats in last weekend’s opening round of the competition.

Six Nations 2020: round two teams, fixtures and TV schedule

‘We expect war’

Asked if he was fearful of the reception England will receive from the raucous Murrayfield crowd, Ludlum replied: “It’s just another place to go. It’s going to be a war and it’s something we’re excited for.

“Personally I love that. I love being the team that everyone is rooting against. That definitely helps me to get revved up for a game. People being against you has got a way of really revving you up.”

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Passion play

Ludlum, who has been known to shed the odd tear during the national anthem, also dismissed the idea that England can’t compete with Scotland and the other Celtic nations when it comes to playing with passion.

He added: “We are going out on the weekend to get stuck into them and they are going to do the same to us. I don’t think there is any difference in the passion between the two sides.

“Whenever you pull on the shirt, it is a proud moment, it is a passionate experience. I don’t think they will be any more revved up than we will be.”

Hogg ready to move on

After the 19-12 loss to Ireland in round one Scotland will be looking to bounce back this weekend.

Captain Stuart Hogg made a costly mistake in Dublin and the full-back is ready to move on. He said: “It was a tough weekend but I’m very grateful for the support from everyone involved in the group. Can’t wait to get back out there this weekend with the boys and put things right.”

Scots set for ‘biggest game’

Lock Scott Cummings says Saturday’s clash is now a must-win following the defeat in Ireland.

“For us, it’s about winning at all costs,” he said. “I think we’ve showed we’ve got the ability to score tries and stop teams so we’re excited for it. But winning at all costs is important.

“I’m sure England will be pumped to come up and try and beat us. It’s a big game for them as well so I’m sure they’ll be just as pumped up as we are.

“England at home is the biggest game of the season, any season, and we’ll be ready for it.”

Jones rings the changes

After last week’s disappointing result in Paris England head coach Eddie Jones has made five changes to his starting XV to face Scotland.

Willi Heinz is selected at scrum-half in place of Ben Youngs while Mako Vunipola, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam and Jonathan Joseph also come into the team.

Ludlam replaces Courtney Lawes at flanker and Joseph comes in for injured centre Manu Tuilagi.

Uncapped duo - Saracens back row Ben Earl and Bath hooker Tom Dunn - are named as replacements. Lawes and Joe Launchbury are also on the bench.

Jones said: “Preparation this week has been great. We have sought to address the issues from the France game and have had a really good and sharp preparation. Scotland are a dangerous side. They like to play with a lot of width and with a lot of flow and tempo in their game. We want to make sure we dominate the gain line.

“Their win record against England at Murrayfield is substantially higher than their overall record against us, so we have to recognise they are a dangerous beast and we have to be at our best to beat them.”

Bradbury in at No.8

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made one change to the team that lost in Ireland. Magnus Bradbury comes in at No.8 in place of Nick Haining, who drops to the bench.

“We were proud of parts of our performance in Dublin at a very difficult venue,” said Townsend. “The challenge for the squad is to replicate that level and take our chances when they come, in order to win tight games.

“We were disappointed not to beat Ireland but the opportunity to face England, against whom we are bidding to retain the Calcutta Cup, is one that excites players, coaches and supporters alike.”

Matchday squads

Scotland team

• Starting XV: 15. Stuart Hogg (captain), 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Blair Kinghorn, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Ali Price; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Magnus Bradbury
• Replacements: 16. Stuart McInally, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Simon Berghan, 19. Ben Toolis, 20. Nick Haining, 21. George Horne, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Chris Harris

England team

• Starting XV: 15 George Furbank, 14 Jonny May, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Willi Heinz; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Tom Curry
• Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Courtney Lawes, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Ben Youngs, 23 Ollie Devoto

Six Nations round two fixtures

Saturday 8 February

• Ireland vs. Wales (2.15pm GMT; live on ITV and S4C)
• Scotland vs. England (4.45pm GMT; live on BBC)

Sunday 9 February

• France vs. Italy (3pm GMT; live on BBC)

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France defence coach Shaun Edwards has criticised England chief Eddie Jones for his pre-match comments last week.

In promising to bring “absolute brutality” to Paris for the Six Nations clash with France, Jones riled his opponents to such an extent that they produced a dominant display and humiliated the England coach.

Jones had implied that a young French team wouldn’t be able to handle the English aggression, but as it turned out, it was his boys who were bullied and battered in the Stade de France on Sunday.

Much of the credit has gone to Edwards, the newly-appointed defence coach of France, and in an interview with The Times, the rugby league legend said Jones only has himself to blame for the defeat.

Wrong word

“I thought Eddie chose the wrong word there, to be honest,” said Englishman Edwards. “He probably should have said ‘physicality’. ‘Brutality’ brings to mind other things. I just think Eddie picked the wrong word.”

After their 24-17 victory several French players said that they had been determined to make England eat their words.

When asked if Jones’s jibe had provided extra motivation, Edwards replied: “When you’re playing in front of 75,000 in the first game of the Six Nations, if you need exterior motivation, you’re in the wrong place. They’re a pretty self-motivated bunch.”

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England error

The impact that Edwards has had on France - a team notorious in recent years for their dodgy defence - has left some wondering why England have never called on the services of one of their own.

“It’s a masterstroke from whoever [in France] decided to reach out to Shaun Edwards,” said Lawrence Dallaglio, who worked with Edwards at Wasps a decade or so ago. “It begs the question, ‘Should the RFU be kicking themselves?’ The answer is ‘yes’.”

Edwards did great work with the Welsh rugby union for many years but had decided early last year to seek a fresh challenge.

According to Dallaglio, Edwards told him he would “love that England job”, but no call came from the RFU and so France seized their chance.

This weekend’s fixtures

Saturday’s Six Nations fixtures see Ireland host Wales in Dublin (2.15pm GMT; ITV and S4C) and England travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland in the Calcutta Cup (4.45pm GMT; BBC). On Sunday France take on Italy in Paris (3pm GMT; BBC).

Today’s back pages

Tuilagi’s Six Nations fears

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Six Nations round one results

• Wales 42 Italy 0
• Ireland 19 Scotland 12
• France 24 England 17

England head coach Eddie Jones said his side “forgot how to play rugby in the first half” as France raced to a 17-0 point lead against the Rugby World Cup runners-up yesterday in Paris.

England fought back after the break but France, inspired by captain Charles Ollivon and scrum-half Antoine Dupont, held on to win 24-17.

Just 12 months ago England had thrashed France 44-8 at Twickenham, but this is a new-look French team under the guidance of a new coach, Fabien Galthie, and they fully deserved their victory.

They got some luck along the way - particularly the second of their three tries - and it was a far from clinical display by Les Bleus. However, their defence and their discipline were the foundations on which they built their win.

England need Mayday

England, who lost centre Manu Tuilagi early on with injury, salvaged some respectability in the final quarter, or more specifically, Jonny May did.

The winger scored two fine tries, and a penalty from Owen Farrell on the stroke of full-time brought England what could prove to be a crucial defensive point (for finishing within seven points of their rivals).

With neither Wales nor Ireland putting in particularly polished performances in their victories on Saturday, against Italy and Scotland, this season’s Six Nations championship is one of the most open in years.

France should be too strong for Italy in Rome next week, while Wales and Ireland will be a tight affair with neither side boasting a domineering pack.

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Sloppy Scots

As for England, they take to the road again next weekend, this time to Edinburgh, to play a Scotland side still seething with themselves for their failure to beat Ireland.

Like the English in Paris, Scotland enjoyed more of the possession in Dublin but their inability to convert that into points close to the opposition try-line cost them victory.

Shaun of the defence

England had 61% possession against France, and 70% of the territory, but on the six occasions they worked their way into the French 22 they were unable to get past the steely French defence.

For that, the French have the English to thank, or more specifically, Shaun Edwards, the former Wigan rugby league star turned defensive coach, who joined France’s coaching staff in the summer from Wales.

His handiwork was evident in the aggressive defence of France that unsettled England in the first 40 minutes.

“Full credit to the French,” said England coach Jones. “They played the conditions well. It’s like we forgot how to play rugby in the first half. We have to pick ourselves up and go to Murrayfield and have a bit of fun.”

Reactions after France’s victory

Owen Farrell, England captain

“We made too many mistakes and they capitalized. They got a foothold, we kind of paused. We had a bit more in the second half but that’s not the way we want to defend.”

Owen Slot, The Times

“England were guilty of a horrendous accumulation of mistakes. France loved the assistance they were given, but they were high on quality themselves.”

Jake Goodwill, The Daily Telegraph

“May’s solo masterclass saved England from humiliation in Paris as one of the worst performances of the Eddie Jones era.”

Chris Foy, Daily Mail

“Don’t read too much into that final scoreline – this was not close. If it hadn’t been for two moments of magic from Jonny May, England were in danger of finishing this game without a single point to show for their efforts.”

Stuart Barnes, The Times

“Once again Owen Farrell failed to find the leadership required by his beleaguered England colleagues… He is not a cool, calm captain, rather an out-and-out warrior.”

Martin Johnson, England World Cup-winning captain

“It was one of the most error-strewn England performances I can remember. For England, next week becomes a must win.”

Today’s back pages

England are brutally beaten in France

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A Six Nations immediately after a Rugby World Cup is always a tough tournament for players and the public.

With the excitement of the sport’s showpiece competition still fresh in the memory it’s hard to whip up the same enthusiasm for what seems a more parochial affair.

But this year there is a sense of regeneration. Wales, Ireland, France and Italy have new head coaches in place, leaving only Scotland and England with a sense of backroom stability.

Defending champions Wales have lost Warren Gatland after a decade of outstanding service, as well as their highly respected defence coach, Shaun Edwards, now dishing out advice to France.

Wayne Pivac, another Kiwi, replaces Gatland and is probably thankful that his first test doesn’t get any easier in Six Nations terms - a home game against Italy on Saturday in Cardiff.

Awful Azzurri

It’s been five years since the Italians last won a Six Nations game, a record 22-match losing streak, and should they end this season without a win the calls for them to be replaced by Georgia will grow.

Their new coach is South African Franco Smith but he’s unlikely to make much difference given the paucity of talent in Italian rugby.

Their talismanic captain and No.8 Sergio Parisse is on his last legs and without their one world-class talent this season looks grim for Italy.

Talisman Taulupe

In contrast, Wales welcome back their own talisman at No.8, Taulupe Faletau, sidelined for almost two years with injury. George North wins his 92nd cap, albeit at centre instead of out wide, alongside Hadleigh Parkes with Johnny McNicholl making his debut on the wing.

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Celts seek lift

Ireland begin their campaign with Andy Farrell at the helm after the departure of Joe Schmidt and the former England rugby league star will need to lift his squad after their disappointing World Cup.

Beaten by Japan in the group stage, the Irish were thrashed 46-14 by New Zealand in the quarter-final and in Scotland they will face another side that under-performed in the World Cup.

Head coach Gregor Townsend is under pressure as a result and a poor Six Nations campaign will probably cost him his job. Despite that, Townsend made a bold call last week in axing one of his few world-class players, fly-half Finn Russell, for breaking squad rules by going drinking during a training camp.

Scotland haven’t won in Dublin since 2010, and given that they were beaten 27-3 by the Irish in their World Cup pool match in October the chances of a Scotland victory on Saturday seem slim.

Paris showdown

On paper France’s chances of beating England are similarly thin. The French have been way off the pace for years - it’s ten years since they last won the Six Nations - and disorganisation and infighting on and off the field have turned them into a second tier rugby nation.

But in new coach Fabien Galthie they have a charismatic figure who could, possibly, restore the pride in Les Bleus. Willing to cut some slack to mercurial talents such as Teddy Thomas and Damian Penaud, Galthie has also gambled on appointing the brilliant but injury-prone Charles Ollivon as his new captain.

Brute force

France have a young generation of thrilling backs - their half-backs of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack could become greats of the game - but up front is their weakness.

England will look to dominate the set-piece and win the battle at the breakdown with their more dynamic back-row.

“It’s a young French team that’s won the Under-20s and is building towards the World Cup in 2023,” said England head coach Eddie Jones.

“We don’t know but it is going to test those young players because they will have never have played against a brutal physicality and intensity that we are going to play with on Sunday. It is not domestic rugby. You don’t get that in domestic rugby. That is why you call it Test rugby.”

Jones has shuffled his backline as a result of Anthony Watson’s withdrawal with Elliot Daly moving from full-back to left wing to accommodate George Furbank, the 23-year-old uncapped Northampton No.15.

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Wales vs. Italy

• When: Saturday 1 February
• Where: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
• Start time: 2.15pm GMT
• TV channel: live on BBC and S4C

Wales team

• Starting XV: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Johnny McNicholl, 13. George North, 12. Hadleigh Parkes, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 6. Aaron Wainwright, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau
• Replacements: 16. Ryan Elias, 17. Rob Evans, 18. Leon Brown, 19. Cory Hill, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Jarrod Evans, 23. Nick Tompkins

Italy team

• Starting XV: 15. Matteo Minozzi, 14. Leonardo Sarto, 13. Luca Morisi, 12. Carlo Canna, 11. Mattia Bellini, 10. Tommaso Allan, 9. Callum Braley; 1. Giosuè Zilocchi, 2. Luca Bigi (captain), 3. Andrea Lovotti, 4. Alessandro Zanni, 5. Niccolò Cannone, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Jake Polledri, 8. Abraham Steyn
• Replacements: 16. Federico Zani, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Marco Riccioni, 19. Marco Lazzaroni, 20. Dean Budd, 21. Giovanni Licata, 22. Guglielmo Palazzani, 23. Jayden Hayward

Ireland vs. Scotland

• When: Saturday 1 February
• Where: Aviva Stadium in Dublin
• Start time: 4.45pm GMT
• TV channel: live on ITV

Ireland team

• Starting XV: 15. Jordan Larmour, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Jonathan Sexton (captain), 9. Conor Murray; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan, 6. CJ Stander, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris
• Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Andrew Porter, 19. Devin Toner, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. John Cooney, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Robbie Henshaw

Scotland team

• Starting XV: 15. Stuart Hogg (captain), 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Blair Kinghorn, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Ali Price; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Fraser Brown, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Nick Haining
• Replacements: 16. Stuart McInally, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Simon Berghan, 19. Ben Toolis, 20. Cornell du Preez, 21. George Horne, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Chris Harris

France vs. England

• When: Sunday 2 February
• Where: Stade de France, Paris
• Start time: 3pm GMT
• TV channel: live on BBC

France team

• Starting XV: 15. Anthony Bouthier, 14. Teddy Thomas, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 12. Gaël Fickou, 11. Damian Penaud, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont; 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Mohamed Haouas, 4. Bernard Le Roux, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. François Cros, 7. Charles Ollivon (captain), 8. Grégory Alldritt
• Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Jefferson Poirot, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Boris Palu, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Baptiste Serin, 22. Matthieu Jalibert, 23. Vincent Rattez

England team

• Starting XV: 15. George Furbank, 14. Jonny May, 13. Manu Tuilagi, 12. Owen Farrell (captain), 11. Elliot Daly, 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Joe Marler, 2. Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Tom Curry
• Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. George Kruis, 20. Lewis Ludlam, 21. Willi Heinz, 22. Ollie Devoto, 23. Jonathan Joseph

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A new era was opened in English rugby yesterday as Eddie Jones unveiled his 34-man squad for the Six Nations and vowed to make England “the greatest team the world of rugby has ever seen”.

It was a characteristically bullish statement from the Australian, who evidently has recovered his self-confidence two months after England were humiliated in the Rugby World Cup final by South Africa.

Most of the squad from that tournament return for the 2020 Six Nations with prop Dan Cole and wing Jack Nowell the two big name omissions.

Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola was unavailable through injury but seven of his club team-mates are included, and Jones says he will talk to the squad at their Portugal training camp later to ensure there is no bad blood following Saracens’s salary cap scandal.

No new nines

There are eight uncapped players in the squad but it’s unlikely any will line up against France in Paris on Sunday 2 February.

Probably the biggest talking point was Jones’s decision to keep faith with Ben Youngs and Willi Heinz as his scrum-half options, two 30-somethings who are unlikely to be around come the 2023 World Cup.

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Pressure in Paris

But Jones knows that the match in Paris is likely to be England’s toughest of the tournament, away in the French capital against a new-look France that has plenty of young raw talent all of whom will be eager to impress new coach Fabien Galthie.

France also have as their defence coach Shaun Edwards, who did such a good job with Wales for a decade before moving across the Channel last summer.

Paris is no place to experiment with youth, so Jones will field the bulk of the team that reached the World Cup final in the hope they can play as they did against New Zealand in the semi-final.

“This team has got an enhanced reputation,” said Jones. “They’ve played some great rugby over the last four years. Players have got enhanced reputations, some of them are big stars.”

Wanted: consistency

What they still lack however, is consistency, and that’s what Jones wants to see develop this season.

Saying that England “touched greatness” in that sensational semi-final destruction of New Zealand in October, Jones continued: “We played a great game against the All Blacks but we’ve only done that once. When you’ve been in that area, you want to do it sustainably.”

Asked to define great rugby, Jones replied: “Great rugby to me is dominant rugby, where you see a team play with such control and precision and power that you remember that game.”

England’s squad for the 2020 Six Nations

• Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Ted Hill, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Alex Moon, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams
• Backs: Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Fraser Dingwall, Owen Farrell, George Ford, George Furbank, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Ollie Thorley, Manu Tuilagi, Jacob Umaga, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs

How the press reacted to England’s squad

Owen Slot, The Times

“This approach simply makes good sense. Why would you wield axes to a team who have just reached a World Cup final, especially when they are still so young?”

Michael Aylwin, The Guardian

“If greatness is to be achieved in the next couple of years, he has assembled a fair group of youngsters for the assignment.”

Clive Woodward, Daily Mail

“There is no logic in going with just two senior scrum-halves and not having a clear third choice in the squad at all times… That’s my one gripe, the rest is good.”

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The 2020 Six Nations rugby championship is in jeopardy after a second fixture was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

This weekend’s Ireland vs. Italy fourth round clash is off and now the final round game between Italy and England on 14 March is also postponed.

With the number of deaths from coronavirus in Italy now in three figures, Giuseppe Conte, the Italian prime minister, issued a decree that supporters would be barred from attending all sporting events until 3 April in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus.

In a statement published on Thursday Six Nations organisers said: “Six Nations notes the decree issued by the Italian Government with respect to all upcoming sporting events in that country.

“The decision has now been taken to postpone the three matches between Italy and England [men’s, women’s, and U20] set to take place over the weekend of 13/14/15 March, with the intention to reschedule them at later dates.

“Based on the information that is currently available, all other Six Nations matches are set to go ahead as scheduled.

“As previously stated, Six Nations fully intends to complete all 15 games across all three championships when time allows. We will refrain from making any rescheduling announcements while we keep assessing the situation.”

This weekend’s fixtures

Two round four games remain on the schedule. England host Wales on Saturday at Twickenham and Scotland face France at Murrayfield on Sunday.

• Saturday 7 March: England vs. Wales (4.45pm GMT; live on ITV and S4C)
• Sunday 8 March: Scotland vs. France (3pm GMT; live on BBC)
• Ireland vs. Italy: postponed

Round five fixtures: Saturday 14 March

• Wales vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; BBC and S4C)
• France vs. Ireland (8pm GMT; BBC)
• Italy vs. England: postponed

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Results, fixtures and TV guide

Round one results

• Wales 42 Italy 0
• Ireland 19 Scotland 12
• France 24 England 17

Round two results

• Ireland 24 Wales 14
• Scotland 6 England 13
• France 35 Italy 22

Round three results

• Italy 0 Scotland 17
• Wales 23 France 27
• England 24 Ireland 12

Round four fixturesSaturday 7 March

• Ireland vs. Italy: postponed
• England vs. Wales (4.45pm GMT; ITV and S4C)

Sunday 8 March

• Scotland vs. France (3pm GMT; BBC)

Round five fixturesSaturday 14 March

• Wales vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; BBC and S4C)
• France vs. Ireland (8pm GMT; BBC)
• Italy vs. England: postponed

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England squad, results and fixtures

• Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Ted Hill, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Alex Moon, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams
• Backs: Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Fraser Dingwall, Owen Farrell (captain), George Ford, George Furbank, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Ollie Thorley, Manu Tuilagi, Jacob Umaga, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs

England results and fixtures

• Sunday 2 February: France 24 England 17
• Saturday 8 February: Scotland 6 England 13
• Sunday, 23 February: England 24 Ireland 12
• Saturday 7 March: England vs. Wales (4.45pm GMT; ITV and S4C)
• Saturday 14 March: Italy vs. England - postponed

France squad, results and fixtures

• Forwards: Dorian Aldegheri, Cyril Baille, Demba Bamba, Camille Chat, Anthony Etrillard, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mohamed Haouas, Julien Marchand, Jefferson Poirot, Cyril Cazeaux, Killian Geraci, Bernard Le Roux, Boris Palu, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Willemse, Gregory Alldritt, Dylan Cretin, Francois Cros, Alexandre Fischer, Sekou Macalou, Charles Ollivon, Selevasio Tolofua, Cameron Woki
• Backs: Antoine Dupont, Maxime Lucu, Baptiste Serin, Louis Carbonel, Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack, Gael Fickou, Julien Heriteau, Virimi Vakatawa, Arthur Vincent, Gervais Cordin, Lester Etien, Gabriel Ngandebe, Damian Penaud, Vincent Rattez, Teddy Thomas, Anthony Bouthier, Kylan Hamdaoui, Thomas Ramos

France results and fixtures

• Sunday 2 February: France 24 England 17
• Sunday 9 February: France 35 Italy 22
• Saturday 22 February: Wales 23 France 27
• Sunday 8 March: Scotland vs. France (3pm GMT; BBC)
• Saturday 14 March: France vs. Ireland (8pm GMT; BBC)

Ireland squad, results and fixtures

• Forwards: Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Heffernan, Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Tom O'Toole, Jack McGrath, James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Ultan Dillane, Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander, Max Deegan, Caelan Doris, Jack O'Donoghue
• Backs: Conor Murray, John Cooney, Luke McGrath, Johnny Sexton (captain), Ross Byrne, Billy Burns, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Chris Farrell, Jacob Stockdale, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Dave Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Will Addison

Ireland results and fixtures

• Saturday 1 February: Ireland 19 Scotland 12
• Saturday 8 February: Ireland 24 Wales 14
• Sunday, 23 February: England 24 Ireland 12
• Ireland vs. Italy: postponed
• Saturday 14 March: France vs. Ireland (8pm GMT; BBC)

Italy squad, results and fixtures

• Forwards: Luca Bigi (captain), Dean Bubb, Niccolo Cannone, Pietro Ceccarelli, Oliviero Fabiani, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Lazzaroni, Giovanni Licata, Andrea Lovotti, Johan Meyer, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi, Abraham Steyn, Federico Zani, Alessandro Zanni, Giosuè Zilocchi
• Backs: Tommaso Allan, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Benvenuti, Michelangelo Biondelli, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Boni, Callum Braley, Carlo Canna, Jayden Hayward, Matteo Minozzi, Luca Morisi, Edoardo Padovani, Guglielmo Palazzani, Leonardo Sarto, Alberto Sgarbi, Marcello Violi

Italy results and fixtures

• Saturday 1 February: Wales 42 Italy 0
• Sunday 9 February: France 35 Italy 22
• Saturday 22 February: Italy 0 Scotland 17
• Ireland vs. Italy: postponed
• Saturday 14 March: Italy vs. England - postponed

Scotland squad, results and fixtures

• Forwards: Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, Magnus Bradbury, Fraser Brown, Alex Craig, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Allan Dell, Cornell du Preez, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Tom Gordon, Nick Haining, Stuart McInally, Willem Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Sutherland, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson
• Backs: Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg (captain), George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Sam Johnson, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Sean Maitland, Matt Scott, Byron McGuigan, Ali Price, Henry Pyrgos, Finn Russell, Kyle Steyn, Ratu Tagive

Scotland results and fixtures

• Saturday 1 February: Ireland 19 Scotland 12
• Saturday 8 February: Scotland 6 England 13
• Saturday 22 February: Italy 0 Scotland 17
• Sunday 8 March: Scotland vs. France (3pm GMT; BBC)
• Saturday 14 March: Wales vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; BBC and S4C)

Wales squad, results and fixtures

• Forwards: Rhys Carre, Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias , Ken Owens , Leon Brown, WillGriff John, Dillon Lewis , Jake Ball , Adam Beard, Seb Davies , Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Will Rowlands, Cory Hill, Aaron Shingler , Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi , Justin Tipuric
• Backs: Gareth Davies , Rhys Webb, Tomos Williams , Dan Biggar, Owen Williams, Jarrod Evans , Hadleigh Parkes , Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, George North, Josh Adams, Owen Lane, Johnny McNicholl , Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonah Holmes, Leigh Halfpenny , Liam Williams

Wales results and fixtures

• Saturday 1 February: Wales 42 Italy 0
• Saturday 8 February: Ireland 24 Wales 14
• Saturday 22 February: Wales 23 France 27
• Saturday 7 March: England vs. Wales (4.45pm GMT; ITV and S4C)
• Saturday 14 March: Wales vs. Scotland (2.15pm GMT; BBC and S4C)

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Rivals round on Sarries

Exeter Chiefs CEO Tony Rowe has told The Daily Telegraph that Saracens “should be thrown out of the league”.

The English rugby Premiership and European champions have been hit with a 35-point deduction and a £5.3m fine after breaching salary cap rules.

A club statement said: “Saracens Rugby Club is shocked and disappointed by these heavy-handed sanctions and will launch an appeal against all the disciplinary panel’s findings.”

With the club appealing the decision, the punishments will be suspended until the outcome is confirmed.

i Sport reports that “rivals have rounded on Sarries” and Exeter’s Rowe told Telegraph Sport: “The penalty does not fit the crime. If you look at other leagues, if you do something like that you get chucked out. They should have been at least relegated and made to reduce their squad immediately.

“If they are still allowed to keep the same members in their squad and maintain the same spending then that is nothing. A fine of £5m although it sounds a lot when you look at the backing they have and what they have achieved with two English titles and European championships.

“For winning a European and English title a year at £2.5m a year, it is cheap isn’t it?”

Fireworks at the Bridge

Chelsea and Ajax played out a Champions League fireworks night thriller at Stamford Bridge. There were eight goals, two red cards, two penalties and two own goals in the 4-4 group H draw.

On “Guy 4s night” The Sun says the two Ajax reds lit the Blue touchpaper as Chelsea battled back from 4-1 down to claim a vital point.

‘Xhaka canned’

The Sun also reports that Granit Xhaka has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following his outburst against supporters during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last month.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery said: “I had a meeting with him and told him he is no longer in the captain’s group. He accepted my decision. I needed to take a decision and now it’s closed.”

Emery also confirmed that striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the new permanent club captain.

Today’s newspaper back pages

The Rugby World Cup is over but a new adventure could be about to begin for Japan, reports the Daily Mail. The paper says that the tournament hosts did such a good job - on and off the pitch - that plans are afoot to invite Japan to join the Six Nations Championship.

The idea “has been floated in private” after the southern hemisphere equivalent of the Six Nations - the Rugby Championship (Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa) gave a lukewarm response to the suggestion of Japan joining their tournament.

At the most, says the Mail, they said they would not be able to welcome Japan into the fold for “four or five years”, a delay which is unacceptable to World Rugby, the sport’s governing body.

The southern hemisphere nations were similarly slow in permitting Argentina to join their tournament, the Pumas participating in the Rugby Championship for the first time in 2012, five years after they had finished third in the World Cup.

Land of the rising sums

World Rugby don’t want something similar to happen to Japan, particularly given the commerical opportunities in a country where rugby is fast becoming the most popular sport. The recent World Cup showcased the fans’ enthusiasm for rugby and the fact that Japan reached the quarter-final for the first time (beating Scotland and Ireland along the way) proved the potential for further growth.

The Mail says formal discussions have not yet taken place but “key figures within the Six Nations organisation have expressed an interest in creating a tournament that stretches 6,000 miles to the Far East”.

Logistical challenge

The logistics of such a move would be a challenge to the European competition organisers but in recent seasons there have been calls to broaden the horizons of a tournament that many feel has become jaded. Italy last won a Six Nations match in 2015 and Georgia have been pushing for inclusion by introducing relegation and promotion with the Six Nations ‘B’ that involves that likes of themselves, Russia and Romania.

None of those countries play a particularly appealing style of rugby, however, unlike Japan, whose pace and panache illuminated the tournament. That makes them attractive to broadcasters and sponsors, says the Mail, while fans would probably enjoy a trip to Tokyo in March more than they would one to Tbilisi.

Forty-eight hours after England’s World Cup dreams were demolished by the brute force of South Africa, speculation is growing that Eddie Jones could call time on his tensure as England coach.

The Australian was dazed in the immediate aftermath of the 32-12 hammering by the Springboks, and it could be that he feels after four years in charge he has taken the squad as far as he can. Furthermore, Australia are looking for a new coach and the possibility to take charge of the Wallabies once could be tough to resist for the patriotic Jones.

Bring back Jones

Several former Wallabies, including Tim Horan and Stephen Hoiles, have told Rugby Australia “to pull out all stops to bring him back to the helm”. Jones guided Australia to the 2003 World Cup final but his tenure ended in acrimony when he was sacked in 2005. But few faces remain from that era and it could be that Jones accepts the responsibility of coaching Australia again, this time building a squad that can challenge for the 2023 World Cup in France.

Rugby Australia had been making eyes at Glasgow Warriors coach David Rennie, following the resignation of Michael Cheika last month, but the Australia media claim he has been “approached by New Zealand Rugby over the All Blacks coaching role”.

Not the time

Asked about his plans after Saturday’s defeat, Jones said: “It’s not the time to discuss it now. That’s for the future but for this team there’s no reason why they can’t keep developing.”

He won’t appreciate some of the criticism that has come his way since losing the final so emphatically, with Stephen Jones writing in The Sunday Times that he was “dead wrong” with some of his preparation: “It was a decent campaign, although by the standards that Jones set himself, it was not good enough,” he added.

England extension

However, one obstacle to a reunion with Australia may be money with the cash-strapped union in a parlous situation, which also applies to Fiji, who have also been linked to Jones. In words carried by The Times, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said he was aware of overseas’ interest in Jones but he was confident that he would remain loyal. “Eddie’s one of the world’s best coaches — if not the best — despite the result against South Africa,” Sweeney said. “When you’re in that position, you’re going to have people sniffing around. One of the first priorities will be to sit down and have a chat... He’s done a fantastic job with this squad. He’s got an awful lot more to offer yet.”

Pummelled and pulverised, the post-mortem on England’s defeat

Clive Woodward in the Daily Mail: “There was clearly a cost to pay for the magnificent performance which we saw against New Zealand. Emotionally it took a toll. It’s incredibly difficult just a week later to dig even deeper and reach even higher.”

Owen Slot in The Times: “Rethink playing Daly at full back. And England need new No 9s and No 3s. However, this is not a team with personnel problems. It is a team that laid down two masterful performances and then lost their nerve at the last.”

Lawrence Dallaglio in The Sunday Times: “They didn’t manage to fire a shot in the defining 80 minutes. ..here were signs of nerves: silly errors in both thought and deed, people trying to force things, a real lack of composure. England just didn’t settle and it ended up costing them the match.”

Robert Kitson in The Guardian: “In the final analysis their campaign panned out almost exactly as might have been anticipated: spells of brilliance interspersed with a frustrating tendency to take their foot off the gas.”

Mick Cleary in The Daily Telegraph: “To the losers go befuddlement and desolation. England travelled along quite a spectrum in the space of a week, from certainty to doubt, from joy to despair. It is a journey that will stay with them throughout their careers.”

Rugby World Cup final: England 12 South Africa 32

England points

• Penalties: Owen Farrell (4)

South Africa points

• Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (66 mins), Cheslin Kolbe (74 mins)
• Conversions: Handre Pollard (2)
• Penalties: Handre Pollard (6)

South Africa have won the 2019 Rugby World Cup after a crushing 32-12 victory over England in Yokohama.

The Springboks scored two second-half tries through Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe. Fly-half Handre Pollard was lethal with the boot as he kicked two conversions and six penalties.

Owen Farrell slotted over four penalties for England, however, the South African defence put on a masterclass to give their country a third World Cup win - equal with New Zealand.

Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s first black captain, lifted the trophy and fans celebrated in the townships of his home town Port Elizabeth.

Speaking after the win Kolisi said: “It is really special and it was more than just a game for us. We are really grateful to have our families here and all I want to do is to inspire my kids and every other kid in South Africa. I never dreamed of a day like this at all.

“When I was a kid all I was thinking about was getting my next meal. A lot of us in South Africa just need an opportunity and there are so many untold stories. I’m hoping that we have just given people a bit of hope to pull together as a country to make it better.”

The Guardian’s Lee Calvert wrote: “All the talk now is about Siya Kolisi, a black Springbok captain, lifting the trophy. Anyone who knows about the history of the country and the sport of rugby will know what this means and we should not underestimate what a moment this will be.”

It’s a second World Cup final victory over England for the Springboks after winning the 2007 tournament in France. They won their first World Cup in 1995, beating New Zealand 15-12 on home soil.

The 20-point margin of victory in the 2019 final is the biggest since 1999 when Australia beat France 35-12.

South Africa reactions

Rassie Erasmus, South Africa head coach

“It’s weird as I didn’t think two years ago we could do it, then in the past few months I thought we could. I’m so proud of my team, I’m proud of my countrymen and I’m a proud South African right now. We have to use this to build for next six, seven, eight years, we have to use this to put South African rugby back at the top.”

Faf de Klerk, South Africa scrum-half

“It’s mixed emotions but we are so unbelievably glad to do it for our country and for ourselves. We had to play great against England because we know what a great tournament they had had. We exploited them out wide, then it was massive forward performance from our boys up front. It’s a massive win. Our forwards have been phenomenal at scrum time, they came out, gave me great ball and time for the boys to play pout in the back. We’re so happy.”

England reactions

Eddie Jones, England head coach

“We just couldn’t get on the front foot. We were dominated in the scrum particularly in the first 50 minutes. When you’re in a tight, penalty-driven riven game, its difficult to get any sort of advantage.

We needed to fix up the scrum, little things around the line-out, then get a bit more accurate in how we attacked. We did that for a while, got ourselves back into the game, but in the end we had to force the game and gave away a couple of tries.

“They were too good for us at the breakdown. That’s the great thing about rugby, one day you’re the best team in the world and the next a team knocks you off.”

George Ford, England No.10

“We weren’t good enough. Congratulations to South Africa, I thought they executed their plan brilliantly. We were far too inaccurate in the first half. We always knew they based their game on what they do up front.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the lads, they’ve been brilliant all tournament up front, they just did a job on us. They played really well, you cant take anything away from them. It’s obviously a huge disappointment for our side. We wanted to finish it off but we were nowhere near good enough to do that.

“We’ve come a long way and it’s probably the most together squad I’ve ever been a part of. We’ll come back.”#

Ben Youngs, England scrum-half

“We’re devastated mate. It’s hard with the set-piece issues as you’re always vulnerable, and the bus being late made no difference. Thanks to everyone back home and everyone who travelled.”

England vs. South Africa

• What: 2019 Rugby World Cup final
• When: Saturday 2 November
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
• Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
• UK start time: 9am
• UK TV coverage: live on ITV

England’s rugby players have the chance to do what no politician has done in a very long time - and that’s put a smile on the face of the nation.

The last few years haven’t been much fun for the country with Brexit dominating headlines and dividing opinion, but on Saturday the England squad will unite the country around their television sets as they play South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.

ITV, which clocked ten million viewers for last weekend’s semi-final triumph against New Zealand, is expecting double that number for the final, despite the 9am kick-off.

Boris will do a Blair

If England do lift the Webb Ellis Cup the players can expect an open-top bus tour.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is as media savvy as Tony Blair, who occupied No.10 Downing Street in 2003 when England first won the World Cup.

He milked the occasion for all its political worth, to the extent that opposition MPs accused his office of “politicising its reception for the England rugby team”, but Johnson will surely do likewise should England win on Saturday, particularly with a general election just round the corner.

The players will also benefit if they win, with The Guardian reporting that they “will share a jackpot of nearly £7m if they overcome South Africa”.

On top of that there will be million-pound sponsorship and endorsement deals, not to mention the after-dinner speaking circuit once they hang up their boots.

Steady Eddie

But the England squad must put all that to the back of their minds in the next 24 hours and focus on one thing only - beating the bruising Springboks.

At least in their head coach, Eddie Jones, they have a man who has been there and got the T-shirt. This will be his third experience of a World Cup final - he coached Australia in 2003 and was on the South Africa staff when they won the cup four years later - and his message to his players is embrace the occasion.

“Saturday is the biggest sporting event in the world and our players get to play in that arena, what an exciting opportunity for them to be themselves, to play with spirit, to play with pride and an English style of play,” he said.

“They can inspire a whole country now, they can inspire a sporting community. That’s the opportunity they’ve got and all the messages that we’ve seen back in England at the moment is that there’s a bit of a rugby fever going on, so now mums are telling kids ‘play rugby’, be the next Kyle Sinckler, be the next Ellis Genge, and that’s the opportunity they’ve got.”

Feel-good factor

And the astute Jones knows that an England win on Saturday would mean more than usual for the country after the divisiveness of the last few years.

He added: “It changes how the country feels about itself for a period of time - it might change at the next general election - but for a period of time it changes how people feel about themselves and that’s the greatest joy.

“You’ve got this opportunity to change people’s lives through the ability to play rugby, and it’s a gift isn’t it?”

Today’s back pages

England can ‘inspire a nation’ by winning the World Cup

Rugby World Cup further reading

• England vs. South Africa: preview, team news, starting XVs
• Rugby World Cup final: pundit predictions and betting odds
• Where to watch the Rugby World Cup final in London and England: pubs, clubs, events and special screenings
• Eddie Jones won’t be satisfied until England are the best
• England fined for their response to the New Zealand haka

England vs. South Africa

• What: 2019 Rugby World Cup final
• When: Saturday 2 November
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
• Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
• UK start time: 9am
• UK TV coverage: live on ITV

The Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa is the focus of the newspaper back pages today.

England take on the Springboks in Yokohama tomorrow and are aiming to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time in their history.

Metro, The Guardian and The Times report that Eddie Jones has issued a final rallying cry to the England squad and has urged his players to go out and “inspire the nation” by winning the World Cup.

Jones, who has selected an unchanged XV for the final against the Springboks, said: “We will play with no fear. How fantastic is it for a young bunch of guys we have?

“It’s the biggest sporting event on at that time. Saturday is the biggest sporting event in the world. And our players get to play in that arena, what an exciting opportunity for them to be themselves, to play with spirit, to play with pride and an English style of play.”

Huge opportunity

When asked about the potential impact of a World Cup win, he added: “They can inspire a whole country now, they can inspire a sporting community.

“That’s the opportunity they’ve got and all the messages that we’ve seen back in England at the moment is that there’s a bit of a rugby fever going on, so now mums are telling kids ‘play rugby’, be the next Kyle Sinckler, be the next Ellis Genge, and that’s the opportunity they’ve got.

“It changes how the country feels about itself for a period of time – it might change at the next general election – but for a period of time it changes how people feel about themselves and that’s the greatest joy.

“You’ve got this opportunity to change people’s lives through the ability to play rugby, and it’s a gift isn’t it?”

Tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa kicks off at 9am (UK time) and is live on ITV. Coverage starts at 7am.

Where to watch the Rugby World Cup final in London and England: pubs, clubs, events and special screenings

Today’s newspaper back pages

Rugby World Cup further reading

• England vs. South Africa: preview, team news, starting XVs
• England coach Eddie Jones issues final rallying cry
• Rugby World Cup final: pundit predictions and betting odds
• Where to watch the Rugby World Cup final in London and England: pubs, clubs, events and special screenings
• Eddie Jones won’t be satisfied until England are the best
• England fined for their response to the New Zealand haka

England vs. South Africa

• What: 2019 Rugby World Cup final
• When: Saturday 2 November
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
• Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
• UK start time: 9am
• UK TV coverage: live on ITV

England head coach Eddie Jones has selected an unchanged team for the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday.

The only change to the squad that demolished New Zealand in last weekend’s semi-final is the appearance on the bench of scrum-half Ben Spencer, who replaces the injured Willi Heinz.

Otherwise Jones has kept faith with the players who produced arguably the greatest 80 minutes of English rugby history against the reigning world champions.

Captain Owen Farrell, wing Jonny May and prop Kyle Sinckler have all been passed fit having taken knocks against the All Blacks.

No fear

“We will go and play with no fear,” said Jones. “South Africa are a difficult opponent and we are going to have to fight really hard to win.

“We know the physical part of the game is going to be important and the players will go into this game well prepared knowing how we want to play.”

England will run out at the International Stadium in Yokohama with the youngest team ever to start a World Cup final in the professional era.

The average age of the starting XV is 27 years and 60 days, younger by 11 days than Australia’s team in 2003 (coached by Jones), who were beaten by England.

Young and experienced

Yet despite their youth, England boast an average of 51 caps per player, the third highest number in a World Cup final behind New Zealand (65) and Australia (56) in the 2015 final.

In contrast, although South Africa are on average older than England - 28 years and 208 days - their caps-per-man number is lower at 46.

Kolbe back as Boks make one change

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made just one change to the starting XV that beat Wales in their semi-final. Cheslin Kolbe has recovered from an ankle injury and is brought back on the wing in place of S’bu Nkosi.

Once again Erasmus has crammed his bench with forwards, selecting six out of the eight substitutes, an indication that South Africa will try and do to England what they have done to Japan and Wales in the knockout stages and batter them into submission.

Forget the favourites tag

“It will be a physical battle but with a lot of tactical stuff involved,” said Erasmus, who sidestepped a question about which team is favourite.

“The debate over favourites is irrelevant. The dynamic of your environment is what counts. We have worked really hard and we are where we want to be. It is not about who is most up for the game because both teams will want it. I think it will come down to which team tactically handles the game the best.”

Jones knows what to expect on Saturday. “South Africa will probably play a similar type of game they have played all tournament,” he said. “So we need to be good in the arm wrestle and when we have the opportunities to break the game up, we are then confident and composed enough to take them.”

Kamikaze twins

One area where England will look to dominate is at the breakdown, as they did against the All Blacks.

The Springboks’ flankers are big and powerful, and carry the ball well, but they are likely to struggle to win turnovers against the smaller, more agile England duo of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill.

Jones calls them his “Kamikaze twins” and he’ll be hoping they shatter South Africa’s World Cup dreams on Saturday.

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RWC final starting XVs: how the teams will line up

England starting XV

• 15. Elliot Daly, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Manu Tuilagi, 12. Owen Farrell (captain), 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Courtney Lawes, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Billy Vunipola
• Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Dan Cole, 19. George Kruis, 20. Mark Wilson, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Henry Slade, 23. Jonathan Joseph

South Africa starting XV

• 15. Willie Le Roux, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Mbongeni Mbonambi, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 7. Pieter-Steph Du Toit, 8. Duane Vermeulen
• Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Franco Mostert, 21. Francois Louw, 22. Herschel Jantjies, 23. Frans Steyn

RWC final betting odds

Prices according to Oddschecker

RWC winner

• England to win: 2/1
• South Africa to win: 9/4
• Draw: 25/1

Pundit predictions: who will win the RWC final?

Warren Gatland, Wales head coach: hopes England win

“I thought England were excellent against the All Blacks - it was the best I’ve seen England play in the last 10 years. I thought they were outstanding. I think it will be a great final with two physical teams and I hope a northern hemisphere team can win the World Cup. It would have been great if two of us could have been in the final, but it wasn’t to be.”

Sir Ian McGeechan, The Daily Telegraph: England 27 South Africa 15

“England haven’t come across a team who will challenge them as hard as South Africa at the set-piece or the breakdown. They will need to remain patient and the first two breakdowns will be crucial. With South Africa’s strength at the one-on-one contact, England might well have to be more patient in getting the front foot ball which has defined their game. But if they see off the initial storm, and start controlling territory, then I think they have the tools to hurt South Africa who likewise have not come up against a team of England’s physicality.”

Will Greenwood, The Daily Telegraph: England 21 South Africa 18

“Anyone assuming that England are going to walk this based on the New Zealand performance needs to think again. Fortunately I don’t think Eddie Jones or his players are thinking that way, and I’m backing England to produce a gutsy performance and edge a thriller.”

Ben Burrows, Independent: England 20 South Africa 14

“England are the better team but that never really matters to South Africa. They will scrap and scratch and spoil and make England earn a second Webb Ellis Cup. It’ll be cagey and close but just as New Zealand did in the pool stage, England have the attacking weapons to make any Springbok error count. England to win 20-14.”

Jonathan Liew, Independent: England 14 South Africa 6

“As is often the case in big games when you have far too much time to think about them, I’ve been oscillating back and forth on this all week. Partly the reason for this is that for their many virtues, neither of these sides is quite good enough to dictate terms for 80 minutes. It’ll be scrappy, butt ugly at times, but ultimately I can see England carving out enough openings to make the difference. [Sam] Underhill to finally get his try. [Owen] Farrell to hold his nerve with the boot. England’s bench to hold tight at the end. England to win 14-6.”

The Daily Telegraph: England by seven points

“England must go into this match as favourites after defeating the All Blacks convincingly. South Africa will need to up their game after an underwhelming display against Wales.”

Tom Dutton, London Evening Standard: England 21-10 South Africa

“Form goes out of the window on occasions such as these but England will be favourites going into the final after sending the dominant back-to-back champions packing - and in some style - on Saturday. Eddie Jones’s men must be disciplined, as they have been so far in the tournament, as Handre Pollard won’t need a second invitation to punish them with the boot.”

Quintin van Jaarsveld, Bet.co.za: South Africa by three

“Where we believe the Springboks will have the decisive advantage is their bench. The ‘Bomb Squad’, as they’ve dubbed themselves, have been their ace in the hole at the World Cup, the six-two forwards-back cavalry going well beyond adding fresh impetus off the pine. They’ve wreaked havoc individually – RG Snyman, Francois Louw and 2007 World Cup winner Frans Steyn making big plays at crucial times with Herschel Jantjies waiting in the wings as an x-factor match-winner – and collectively, with the front-row combination of Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Vincent Koch being just as well-oiled and dominant as the starting trio. It’s because of their superior depth that we are backing the underdog Springboks to come out on top in a hard-fought cliffhanger.”

Gareth Jones, Sporting Life: England should win

“There is no such thing as a one-sided final, even with New Zealand’s dominance in over the last eight years. This game could turn on a red card, a controversial decision, a moment of magic or madness. But having built so well during this tournament, staying injury free and with the extra intelligence, experience and, let’s be honest, the sly element Jones brings to England, we should expect to see captain Owen Farrell lifting the William Webb Ellis trophy. England have proved they have absolutely everything in their arsenal and they still have more in the tank. They have the born winners in the likes of Farrell, George Ford and Jamie George and that is another factor in England’s favour. They should win.”

Ash Wheldon, The Stats Zone: England to win

“England will get the chance to avenge their 2007 RWC final defeat to South Africa as the two nations square off again in Japan. The Springboks will prove a difficult opponent but having beaten the might of the All Blacks, the English will be confident and can lift the trophy for the second time. It will be important for England to keep their discipline and composure against the physical Springboks but if they can play their own game, they should be able to come out on top.”

Rohit Ponnaiya, Covers.com: England to win

“While South Africa should keep the score close early, expect England’s superior fitness and game management to help them pull away in the second half. With England peaking, back them to win their second World Cup.”

Rod Kafer, Fox Sports Australia: England 19 South Africa 15

“England will be prepared as well as any team has been prepared to play a final. If they can get back to last week’s intensity, they win comfortably. However, I am not certain that they can. England are not spent but the result will be closer than many think. England by four, 19-15.”

Steve Luckings, The National UAE: Jones to have last laugh

“A tight first half before England open up in the second to pull away by 7-10 points. England world champions for a second time.”

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Rugby World Cup further reading

• Where to watch the Rugby World Cup final in London and England: pubs, clubs, events and special screenings
• Billy Vunipola tells Springboks to ‘bring it on’
• ‘Enjoy the third-fourth play-off’: Eddie Jones slaps down Warren Gatland
• Eddie Jones won’t be satisfied until England are the best
• England fined for their response to the New Zealand haka

England have been fined by World Rugby for their bullish response to New Zealand’s haka in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final victory.

Although the amount hasn’t been disclosed, Sky News claims it’s £2,500, a sum that will be donated to charity by the sport’s governing body.

England lined up in a V formation to face down the haka, and six players crossed the halfway line as the All Blacks performed their ritual.

The confrontation set the tone for a pulsating encounter and World Rugby later uploaded an official video of the incident on YouTube, entitled “England’s incredible response to intense New Zealand haka”.

More than four million people have viewed the clip and the response has, in the main, been positive.

Taking control

Former All Blacks fly-half Andrew Mehrtens wrote in The Times that England “took control of the situation”.

Mehrtens added: “They responded in a way that they knew they were going to but the All Blacks didn’t. Even the time it took to take off their tracksuits will have given them a feeling of control and initiative and that was borne out by the five furious minutes that followed.”

Another person who admired England’s initiative was South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus, who faced the haka several times during his own playing career.

“I don’t think it was disrespectful,” said Springboks chief Erasmus, whose side face England in this Saturday’s World Cup final.

“It was certainly interesting, it was certainly exciting and it was certainly something new and it brought some spice to the Test match.”

Cultural clash

Nonetheless England have been fined for breaching World Rugby’s “cultural ritual protocol”, introduced after France went nose to nose with the haka in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.

The fine will lead to more calls among critics of the haka for it to be banned. Last month Irish sports writer Ewan MacKenna made headlines when he wrote an article for Pundit Arena in which he urged World Rugby to stop “pandering to the dance”, which he said had been “completely overdone” for commercial reasons.

There followed the inevitable social media storm, but Mackenna refused to retract the statement, posting a video on Twitter of how the All Blacks used to approach the haka, along with the message: “I’ve enraged the idiocy of New Zealand. ‘Heritage’. ‘Pride’. ‘Warriors’. ‘History’. ‘Culture’. Eh no, it’s marketing and exploitation.”

Rugby World Cup further reading

• Where to watch the Rugby World Cup final in London and England: pubs, clubs and events
• Billy Vunipola tells Springboks to ‘bring it on’
• ‘Enjoy the third-fourth play-off’: Eddie Jones slaps down Warren Gatland
• Eddie Jones won’t be satisfied until England are the best

England vs. South Africa

• What: 2019 Rugby World Cup final
• When: Saturday 2 November
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
• Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
• UK start time: 9am
• UK TV coverage: live on ITV
• RWC news and features

Before the Rugby World Cup semi-final victory against New Zealand Eddie Jones urged England fans in Japan and back home to “have a few pints” and “cheer loudly” for the team.

With the crushing defeat of the All Blacks England stormed into the Rugby World Cup final and head coach Jones will no doubt expect fans to once again be ready to get behind the team.

Saturday’s final clash against South Africa may be an early start at 9am but that won’t stop England fans from packing the pubs, rugby clubs and bars for the Yokohama showpiece.

Here we pick out some places where to watch the England vs. South Africa final on Saturday morning…

Where to watch in London

The Live Room, Twickenham Stadium

• Where: the home of English rugby
• Doors open: 7.30am
• Admission: £30
• Address: 200 Whitton Road, Twickenham, TW2 7BA
• Details: enjoy the live final screening in Twickenham’s auditorium
• Website: twickenhamstadium.com/hospitality
• How to book: twickenhamstadium.com

Big Screen at Queens Skate & Bowl

• Where: Queens London
• Doors open: 8am
• Admission: from £28-£47.50
• Address: 17 Queensway, Bayswater, London W2 4QP
• Details: heart-pumping live rugby action on a super-sized LED screen
• Website: bigscreenonthegreen.com
• How to book: designmynight.com

Dundonald Church

• Where: St Andrew’s Church, SW19 3SH
• Doors open: 8am
• Admission: £3
• Address: Herbert Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 3SH
• Details: giant screen, breakfast, and a pre-match interview
• Website: dundonald.org
• How to book: dundonald.churchsuite.co.uk

The Rugby World Cup Beach Breakfast at Brixton Jamm

• Admission: £7.50-£100
• Doors open: 8am
• Details: massive LED screen at the covered, heated outdoor beach
• Address: 261 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6LH
• Website: brixtonjamm.org
• How to book: designmynight.com

Rileys Sports Bar Haymarket, London

• Admission: free
• Address: 80 Haymarket, St. James's, London SW1Y 4TE
• How to book: rileys.co.uk

Boxpark: Shoreditch and Wembley

• Admission: free
• Doors open: 8am
• Address: Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6GY; Boxpark Wembley, Olympic Way, Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0JT
• Register to book: Shoreditch or Wembley

Japan House, London

• Admission: free on a first-come, first-served basis
• Address: 101-111 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
• Details: guests can drop in anytime during a match; refreshments and snacks will be available to purchase from The Stand
• Website: japanhouselondon.uk

Watford Colosseum

• Doors open: 8am
• Admission: tickets are free of charge but must be produced on the door for entry
• Address: Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN
• Details: watch the game on a massive 22ft screen
• Website: watfordcolosseum.co.uk

The Prince London

• Doors open: 7.30am
• Admission: free
• Address: West Brompton crossing, 14 Lillie Road, London, SW6 1TT
• Details: catch the sunrise with brunch, a beer and the World Cup
• Website: theprincelondon.com/whats-on
• More details: theprincelondon.com

Belushi’s bars

• Where: London Bridge, Hammersmith, Camden, Greenwich, Shepherd’s Bush - VIP Booths with on HD TV from £25 per person - Stadium seating from £12 per person (Hammersmith only) - Man caves from £750 (London Bridge only) - Private areas from £300 minimum spend
• Website: belushis.com

Bottomless beer brunch at Barge East, Hackney Wick

• Doors open: 8.30am
• Admission: £39
• Address: River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Ln, Hackney Wick, London, E9 5EN
• Details: includes two courses from the bottomless brunch menu and unlimited bottomless beer from kick-off until the final whistle
• Website: bargeeast.com
• How to book: designmynight.com

The Bat and Ball, Westfield Stratford

• Doors open: 8am
• Admission: £5-£25
• Address: Unit 1110/11 Westfield Stratford City, Montfichet Road, Stratford, London, E20 1EJ
• Details: 14 screens, two projector screens, full commentary and breakfast specials
• Website: thebatandball.com
• How to book: designmynight.com

Goose Island Brewpub London

• Doors open: 8.30am
• Address: 222 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6PJ
• Details: breakfast beer and breakfast pizza
• Website: gooseislandshoreditch.com
• How to book: a few tables will be available for walk ins when doors open at 8.30am

Brigadiers and Guinness RWC final breakfast

• Where: Indian barbeque tavern at Bloomberg Arcade in London’s Square Mile
• Details: RWC breakfast menu served with a Guinness butler service, free-flow sparkling wine or cocktails
• Address: 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, London, EC4N 8AR
• Website and more details: brigadierslondon.com

Ekte

Where to watch the final around England

Lansdown Suite at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol

• Where: home of Bristol Bears
• Doors open: 8.30am
• Admission: £14.95 for a breakfast package
• Address: Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ
• Website: bristol-sport.co.uk
• How to book: call 0117 963 0680

Bottomless Breakfast at Elland Road stadium in Leeds

• Where: home of Leeds United FC
• Admission: £20
• Address: Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 0ES
• Details: buffet-style full English breakfast from 8.30am and then unlimited draught beer (Amstel, Theakstons or Strongbow) and free flowing Prosecco from 9am until 11am
• Website: leedsunited.com
• How to book: lufc.talent-sport.co.uk

Ricoh Arena stadium in Coventry

• Details: the home of Wasps RFC is hosting a World Cup final breakfast
• Doors open: 8am
• Admission: £10
• Address: Ricoh Arena, Judds Lane, Longford, Coventry
• How to register: click here

The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse

• Admission: free
• Gates open: 8.30am
• Details: food, tea and coffee available and bars will be open from 8.30am
• Address: Evesham Road, Cheltenham GL50 4SH
• How to book: thejockeyclub.co.uk

Macready Theatre in Rugby

• Admission: free
• Details: experience the atmosphere, cinema-style with bacon rolls on sale plus bar and tea/coffee/beers. A total of 250 seats offered on a first-come, first-served basis
• Address: Macready Theatre, Rugby, CV22 5EH
• How to book: ticketsource.co.uk

Rugby World Cup final at Stroud Brewery

• Doors open: 8am
• Address: Kingfisher Business Park, London Road, Thrupp, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2BY
• Website: stroudbrewery.co.uk

Spitfire Lounge at Maidstone United FC

• Doors open: 8.30am
• Admission: free
• Address: Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, ME14 1LQ
• Details: the game will be shown on the large HD screen and three other screens in the lounge
• Website and more details: maidstoneunited.co.uk

O’Neill’s Broad Street Birmingham - RWC breakfast

• Admission: from £5.75 to £10 for breakfast packages
• Address: Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2HG
• How to book: oneills.co.uk

West Berkshire Brewery

• Doors open: 8am
• Address: The Old Dairy, Yattendon, Berkshire, RG18 0XT
• Details: RWC breakfast
• Website: wbbrew.com
• How to book: call 01635 767090

For the Boks fans…

Bbar in Victoria, London, will be showing Saturday’s match and the South African bar has tables available to book.

Bbar and restaurant

• Address: 43 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP
• Phone: +44 (0) 20 7958 7000
• Website: bbarlondon.com

Rugby World Cup further reading

• Billy Vunipola tells Springboks to ‘bring it on’
• ‘Enjoy the third-fourth play-off’: Eddie Jones slaps down Warren Gatland
• Eddie Jones won’t be satisfied until England are the best
• England fined for their response to the New Zealand haka

England vs. South Africa

• What: 2019 Rugby World Cup final
• When: Saturday 2 November
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
• Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
• UK start time: 9am
• UK TV coverage: live on ITV

As put-downs go, they don’t come much more stinging than the one dished out by England head coach Eddie Jones to his Wales counterpart Warren Gatland.

The Wales chief made the mistake in the immediate aftermath of his country’s Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa of ungraciously playing down England’s scintillating performance against New Zealand.

“We have seen teams play their final in the semi-final and don’t turn up for the final,” Gatland said. “We will see what England do.”

Bronze blues

Jones’s response to his long-time rival’s barb was one of his own, delivered in his customary deadpan style during a press conference on Monday.

“Can you just send my best wishes to Warren,” Jones told reporters. “And make sure he enjoys the third-fourth place play-off.”

Wales face New Zealand on Friday in the bronze medal match, rugby’s most unwanted contest but one that the All Blacks will surely use to restore their battered pride against a Wales side depleted by injury.

Work to be done

England meanwhile are back on the training ground preparing for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa, and Jones dismissed the idea that his squad might rest on their laurels after their emphatic win against the All Blacks.

“We played a great team on Saturday [New Zealand] but we don’t feel we’ve played as well as we can,” he told reporters.

“The challenge for us is to keep improving. It is 100% possible. The players understand that they haven’t done anything yet.

“As you go through the tournament, the margins get smaller. The improvements you can make are still significant. We’re looking to see how we can keep improving for this week’s game.”

Reasons to be cheerful

Jones also gave short shrift to the notion that being favourites is a burden on the England squad.

“I think it’s great,” he said of the expectation building in England. “You give the country something to cheer about. With Brexit at the moment they probably need something to cheer about. It’s a job of the team to make the country happy.

“The only thing I sense is excitement about what the team can achieve this week. We know the final comes with pressure but we are excited about handling that, and feel that’s an advantage.”

Injury update

After the withdrawal from the tournament on Sunday of injured scrum-half Willi Heinz, Jones had more positive news concerning wing Jonny May and centre Owen Farrell, both of whom suffered knocks against New Zealand.

“We had a walk-through this morning and we had to tell Jonny to slow down a bit,” explained Jones. “He is probably in better condition than he was last week at this stage [when he was recovering from a hamstring issue]. Immeasurably better.

“Owen is a bit sore but he will be fine. The great thing about our players is that physically they are in fantastic condition, so their ability to recover is extraordinary. They have taken to the onsens [hot springs] in droves. It is a great way to recovery.”

Frenchman for the final

Saturday’s World Cup final will be the first officiated by a Frenchman after Jérôme Garcès was handed the honour for the clash at the International Stadium in Yokohama.

One of the world’s most experienced referees with 55 Tests, Garcès will be joined by compatriot Romain Poite and New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe as assistant referees and Kiwi Ben Skeen the TMO.

“It is a dream as a referee, but this is a team sport, and as a team of four, we will be out there to do the best for the teams,” said Garcès.

England vs. South Africa

• What: 2019 Rugby World Cup final
• When: Saturday 2 November
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
• UK start time: 9am
• UK TV coverage: live on ITV

Eddie Jones has told his England players to find another level against South Africa in next Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final.

England are the favourites to win the Webb Ellis Cup after their ruthless 19-7 destruction of New Zealand in Saturday’s semi-final, but Jones says there is still much work to be done if his players want to be considered world-beaters.

“We want to be the best in the world and we’re not,” said Jones, who watched South Africa beat Wales 19-16 in the second-semi-final.

“We’re not going to be satisfied until we’re the best in the world. We’re going to have to find another level and it’s definitely there.”

Feet on the ground

A coach as experienced as Jones knows that the way England crushed the All Blacks was remarkable.

He also knows that there is a danger of allowing complacency to creep into the squad, particularly given the scrappy nature of South Africa’s unimpressive 19-16 win against Wales.

England may be favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup but sport has a way of not going according to the script.

“We’ve got to play better next week,” said the Australian. “It’s about making sure no one gets too far ahead of themselves and this team has got no reason to, because we haven’t achieved what we want to achieve.

“All it’s done is give us another week in the competition.”

Wait and see

The final that all British rugby fans wanted was denied by the power of the Springboks, who out-muscled Wales in a dour contest that was in stark contrast to England’s pace and precision of the previous day.

Asked afterwards if he had England as favourites for the final, a sullen Wales coach Warren Gatland replied: “We have seen teams play their final in the semi-final and don’t turn up for the final. We will see what England do.”

Samurai spirit

England have called scrum-half Ben Spencer into the squad to replace Willi Heinz, who is out of the final. Heinz tweaked his hamstring after coming on as a second-half sub against the All Blacks.

There are also concerns about winger Jonny May, who limped off with a similar injury, and captain Owen Farrell, although he is expected to have recovered from a blow to his thigh.

“I think you would have needed a samurai sword to get him off,” said Jones, when asked if he had contemplated taking Farrell off after he sustained the knock in the first-half against New Zealand.

Shadowlands

Farrell and the rest of the squad have had the last 48 hours off after their exploits, and Jones says it’s back to the office on Tuesday to prepare for the biggest game of their lives.

“It’s just another week,” Jones said. “The mindset you create during the week is very important. And it’s about not inventing shadows.

“Everywhere you look, there are shadows, so you have to make sure you are looking at the right shadows. We’ll have a couple of days of recovery. We’ll get stuck into work on Tuesday.”

RWC final start time and TV details

The 2019 Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa takes place on Saturday 2 November at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. The final starts at 9am (UK time) and ITV’s coverage begins at 8am.

2019 RWC further reading

• England stun the All Blacks - how fans and Twitter reacted
• South Africa break Welsh hearts to reach the Rugby World Cup final
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: pre-tournament winner predictions

RWC semi-final: Wales 16 South Africa 19

Welsh rugby fans have had their hearts broken after their team lost in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

Warren Gatland’s Wales side went into Sunday’s match hoping to set up a final clash against England, but the Springboks narrowly edged the last-four tie 19-16.

Josh Adams’s 65th-minute try, converted by Leigh Halfpenny, had brought Wales level at 16-16. However, Handre Pollard’s 76th-minute penalty proved the difference in Yokohama.

Damian de Allende scored South Africa’s only try while Pollard kicked one conversion and four penalties. Dan Biggar kicked three penalties for Wales.

South Africa will now play England in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday 2 November (9am, live in ITV).

Wales will play New Zealand in the bronze medal match in Tokyo on Friday 1 November (9am, live on ITV).

Coach and player reactions

Rassie Erasmus, South Africa head coach

“We have so much respect for Wales and the coach [Warren Gatland]. We thought they might pull it through late on but we had a bit of luck, but they are a class team. We are only half way there, we would love to win but we will play a class England outfit. You never know. The way our group stands together, no one cares who we substitute, we have a team spirit that will make the nation proud.”

Handre Pollard, Springboks fly-half

“Real tough one, they are a quality side who have improved over the past couple of years. Our forwards did a great job. It’s an unbelievable weapon to have, the opposition knows about it but there’s not much they can do about it. We’ve got some continuity which is massive. We’re very happy to be in the final, let’s go. It’s going to be classic World Cup final rugby.”

Damian de Allende, South Africa try-scorer

“Very exciting times, glad to be a part of it. Wales gave it everything but luckily it was us. We always want to front up and be physical, it’s the way most teams dominate games these days. If you can win the small battles sometimes it’s psychological. They kept coming for us and luckily we pulled it off in the end.”

Warren Gatland, Wales head coach

“A tough physical match, congratulations to South Africa they defended well but I am proud of the boys. It was a very tough encounter, and well done to South Africa. I am proud of them, we punched massively above our weight in terms of playing numbers in Wales, we gave 100% in a close contest. But South Africa deserved to win.

“We probably gave away too many penalties in our own half and that cost us dearly. We never gave up and were in the arm wrestle. At 16-16 it was pretty close and you’re dreaming of the three points going our way.”

Alun Wyn Jones, Wales captain

“We showed it today, stayed in the arm wrestle and stayed in it at 16-16 but we piggybacked penalties and South Africa took advantage and congratulations to them. Today we fell short, it wasn’t our day and I am still proud to pull this jersey on and represent all the Welsh in the stadium.”

Jake Ball, Wales second row

“We’re just gutted as a team, a hell of a lot of hard work has gone in over the last five months but we’ve got to try and use that as motivation for the game next week. The boys put in a hell of an effort. If we have to look back at it, just disappointment to come so close. Sometimes we didn’t have the swing of things there in that last 15 minutes but it’s hard to put it all in words at the moment. A lot of the boys are down.”

RWC semi-final: England 19 New Zealand 7

England are through to their first Rugby World Cup final in 12 years after a magnificent performance against New Zealand in Yokohama.

The All Blacks, the two-time defending champions, came into the semi-final having not lost a World Cup match since 2007.

However, a second-minute Manu Tuilagi try, converted by Owen Farrell, set England on their way to securing a memorable 19-7 win.

Ben Youngs and Sam Underhill saw tries ruled out by the TMO before Ardie Savea cut England’s lead to two points on 57 minutes.

However, George Ford’s four penalties - two before Savea’s converted try, and two after - put England into the final.

Eddie Jones’s men will now play Wales or South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday 2 November in Yokohama (9am, live on ITV).

Coach and player reactions

Eddie Jones, England head coach

“What we’ve done is earn another week in the comp which is great. I thought our tactical discipline was great, our defensive work rate was good. I thought when we had opportunities to attack we attacked well.

“You want to go right to the death and we’re in the death now. We’ve got another week to enjoy ourselves and work as a team. Our players made a commitment to each other that they’d enjoy the World Cup and I think we’re seeing that.

“Whenever you play against New Zealand, you’re never happy. You might beat them on the scoreboard but you never really beat them. They kept coming at us and we needed to dig deep and find a bit extra.

“We’ve come here to be the world’s best and we haven’t done that yet, so that’s where we need to go.”

Owen Farrell, England captain

“It’s a big game, a World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks - as big as you can get. We prepared well, and started the game well. In all these big games, teams want to get physical from the off, and we wanted to play that way too.

“We have a number of ways of playing, we have a big powerful pack but we wanted to play to space as well. It’s brilliant to get there [to the final], we’ll enjoy this and make sure we prepare well.”

George Ford, England fly-half

“It was always going to be an incredible Test match, a semi-final, with both teams fighting for their lives. We said we would have to be near our best, but do our jobs and we knew we would be there or thereabouts.

“So we’ll take it, but what an incredible team NZ are to play against. It’s unique and you cannot switch off. Now we’ll prepare well for next week.

“We never switched off, ever! You cannot switch off for one second no matter what the scoreboard is, we had to fight until the end. We hope to better it next week, that’s what it is all about.”

Steve Hansen, All Blacks head coach

“Congratulations to England, they played a tremendous game of footy and deserved to win. You cannot give them half a step, but they took it.

“I am really proud of our team, they have done a tremendous job, but we were not good enough. We take it on the chin, the boys tried their guts out and I am proud of them.”

How Twitter reacted to England’s victory

Wales vs. South Africa

• What: Rugby World Cup second semi-final
• When: Sunday 27 October
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
• UK start time: 9am
• TV channel: live on ITV
• Match betting odds: Wales to win 3/1; SA to win 4/11; draw 28/1

Wales were dealt another devastating injury blow on Thursday when their Lions full-back Liam Williams was ruled out of Sunday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final clash with South Africa after sustaining an ankle injury in training.

Having lost No.8 Josh Navidi to a hamstring injury earlier in the week, the withdrawal of the vastly experienced Williams for the rest of the tournament is terrible news.

On the plus side, Jonathan Davies has been included in the starting XV for Sunday, the centre is fit again after missing the quarter-final against France with a knee problem.

All change

Leigh Halfpenny comes in for Williams while Navidi is replaced by Ross Moriarty in the back-row. Owen Watkin steps aside to make way for Davies, who’ll partner Hadleigh Parkes in the centre.

“Liam is undoubtedly a big loss from an attacking perspective and what he has achieved in the game in the last year or so,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“But bringing in the experience of someone like Leigh gives us a different element. It is a change but we don’t think that we are weakening the side in any way with the changes we have made.”

Davies a doubt?

That’s patently not the case. Halfpenny is defensively sound with a howitzer of a boot, but he is leaden in attack compared to the lightning Williams, the best attacking full-back in Europe.

What Wales can’t afford is another withdrawal between now and Sunday, but Gatland hardly oozed confidence when asked if Davies - whose left leg has been heavily strapped this week - is 100% fit.

“We hope he is fit, he has come through training this week,” Gatland replied.

Mind games

South Africa have also been hit by injury, in their case the withdrawal of Cheslin Kolbe. The livewire winger is replaced in the starting line-up by S’Busiso Nkosi, the only change to the 23-man squad that beat Japan in last weekend’s quarter-final.

“I don’t know who the favourites are, as we believe we can beat them, and they will fully believe they can beat us,” was how Springboks chief Rassie Erasmus answered the question about where Sunday’s smart money lies.

But he did indulge in some mind games by pointing out which team has the better record of late.

He said: “Wales, with an experienced coach that I rate really highly, and a team that has been [Six Nations] grand slam winners, have been No.1 in the world rankings. They will have pressure.”

Evenly matched

Wales have won the last four encounters between the two nations, including a 20-11 victory in Cardiff last November, but in their previous two World Cup meetings it’s South Africa who have emerged triumphant.

They edged out Wales 23-19 in the 2015 quarter-final, but since then the Boks have suffered some lean spells.

“We’ve been number five, six, seven in the world over the last three years since 2015, and we’ve got some proper hidings against almost all the teams,” admitted Erasmus.

“We were just trying to get some respect back at the beginning, so that people could start believing in us as a team. Now we are at that stage where we want to become No.1 in the world again.”

Smart rugby

Wales know what to expect on Sunday: that South Africa will try and use their superior size and strength to stifle their creativity, which is what they did to such great effect against Japan last weekend.

But in Gatland the Welsh have a coach of vast experience who is well used to playing teams that have a physical edge up front.

“They’re a big team,” said Gatland. “South Africa are very strong in the scrum and they have quality guys to come off the bench. You have to be smart in terms of the way that you play.”

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How to watch on TV in the UK

The second semi-final of the weekend will be shown live on ITV. Coverage of Sunday’s clash starts at 7.30am (UK time) and the match begins at 9am.

ITV will also show the England vs. New Zealand semi-final on Saturday morning.

Rugby World Cup: semi-final score predictions and betting odds

Confirmed teams

Wales starting XV

• 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Hadleigh Parkes, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Gareth Davies; 1. Wyn Jones 2. Ken Owens 3. Tom Francis 4. Jake Ball 5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain) 6. Aaron Wainwright 7. Justin Tipuric 8. Ross Moriarty
• Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin

South Africa starting XV

• 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 S’Busiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph Du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen
• Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18. Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Francois Louw, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn

Pundit predictions

The Daily Telegraph: Springboks by four points

“Wales have played their get-out-of-jail-free card already this tournament; another sloppy start this weekend will see South Africa win at a canter. Warren Gatland’s men will be better, but their stuttering attack will cost them against the best team that they’ve faced in the tournament. Hungry South Africa are hunting for their first final since 2007, too.”

Ash Wheldon, The Stats Zone: Springboks to win

“Wales will have to be much better if they are to reach their first ever RWC final as they face South Africa. The Welsh were poor for large spells against France and looked to be heading out of the tournament until Sebastien Vahaamahina’s moment of madness saw the French reduced to 14-men. The Springboks are unlikely to give as much away as France and if the Welsh get off to another poor start like they did in their quarter-final, they are unlikely to have enough in the locker to come back with South Africa able to progress to the final.”

Liam Hyslop, Stuff.co.nz: Springboks by ten points

“Wales only just did enough to beat a poor French side in the quarters, while South Africa looked like they’d developed a winning, if not a little boring, gameplan against Japan. They should be able to grind Wales down for a 10-point win.”

Gareth Jones, SportingLife: Springboks to win

“The stats show the Springboks are at their best just before and after half-time. If Wales can have a 10+ point lead going into the break and hold on to that until 55 minutes then they should see the match out and reach their first final. That's easier said than done, but Wales have proved that nothing is beyond this dogged side now.”

ESPN: Springboks by three points

“South Africa had to do the unwanted job of knocking out everybody’s second-favourite team, Japan, in the quarterfinals, but the way they did so showed their quality. The Springboks conceded just three points in a well-organised rout of the hosts. They’ll have little chance of doing the same on Sunday in what will likely be a nail-bitingly close game. Tip: South Africa by three.”

Steve Luckings, The National: Wales to edge it

“The last-gasp win over France summed up an indefatigable spirit that courses through the soul of this Wales team. And while the loss of Josh Navidi is a blow, in Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright Wales possess two of the most mobile loose forwards left in the competition. They will need them at their best if they are to overcome a South Africa that most of us now regard as the world’s biggest party poopers after they unceremoniously dumped hosts Japan out of the tournament last week. Prediction: A lot closer to call than the other semi-final, but Wales to edge it.”

Spiro Zavos, The Roar: South Africa to win

“Without putting any money on the matter, my fearless prediction is that the All Blacks and the Springboks will win their respective semi-finals, and go forward to a fearsome contest in the final.”

Rugby4Cast: Wales 23 South Africa 25

“The algorithm has South Africa to win by 2.”

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Jones: have a few pints then roar us to victory

Eddie Jones has issued a rallying cry to the England team and supporters ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

The Daily Express says Jones is “sup for the cup” and has called on England fans to enjoy a few beers before roaring the team into the World Cup final.

Jones has urged England to “dethrone” the two-time defending champions, The Guardian reports, while the Australian wants his side to knock the All Blacks “off their perch”, says The Daily Telegraph. The Times adds that Jones’s England are “ready to rumble” against the Kiwis.

The Sun reports that 10,000 England fans are expected inside the Yokohama Stadium and millions will watch the match on TV.

Jones said: “They need to drink a fair bit of beer beforehand and be ready to go. We also need everyone to go down to their local club, have a few pints or whatever you need to have to cheer loudly for us.”

Stay on, Eddie

The Daily Mail reports that the Rugby Football Union (RFU) plan to hold contract talks with Jones over a new deal that would see him lead England through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Today’s newspaper back pages

England vs. New Zealand

• What: Rugby World Cup first semi-final
• When: Saturday 26 October
• Where: International Stadium, Yokohama
• UK start time: 9am
• TV coverage: live on ITV from 7.30am
• Match betting odds: England to win 5/2; NZ to win 2/5; draw 28/1

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has sprung a surprise in his selection for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England by bringing in Scott Barrett ahead of Sam Cane on the flank.

Describing it as a “bold call”, the New Zealand Herald says the change could “throw a spanner into the works of England’s plan”.

The England flankers Sam Underhill and Tom Curry play in the same tearaway mould as Cane, but the towering Barrett is more a second row than a flanker and will give the “All Blacks added punch at lineout time”.

Barrett is also swift in the loose for such a big man, but Hansen was honest in analysing his choice.

“There’s no doubt that this is a huge game and there’s a lot of excitement around it,” he told reporters. “We’re really looking forward to this opportunity. It’s all about this game and the moments it will bring.

“In these moments, the word pressure is bandied around quite readily. However, that pressure is always there whenever you play quality opposition, regardless of who you are.”

Cane is able

Cane has started the last 20 Tests for the All Blacks but he made way for Barrett at half-time in the thumping quarter-final win over Ireland.

His omission, the only change to the NZ side that beat the Irish, will see Ardie Savea start at seven and Barrett at six, with captain Kieran Read at No.8.

Cane, according to the NZ Herald, has “rarely put a foot wrong in the Test arena” since taking the No.7 jersey from the legendary Richie McCraw, and it’s a decision that could see Hansen hailed as a genius or derided as a fool - depending on how his new-look back-row goes against England’s.

Jones rolls the dice

England have also taken a punt in their starting XV with head coach Eddie Jones deciding that George Ford is too good to have on the bench.

The Leicester fly-half - who started the group games but missed out in the quarter-final against Australia - returns to the fold at No.10 with England captain Owen Farrell moving to inside centre alongside Manu Tuilagi. Henry Slade drops to the bench.

It had been claimed, in The Daily Telegraph, that as well as bringing back Ford, Jones would recall George Kruis in place of Courtney Lawes in the second-row.

That hasn’t happened. Lawes keeps his place, which means England will have more presence in the loose and in defence. Lawes is a cross between a lock and flanker whereas Kruis is an out-and-out bulky second row.

Given New Zealand’s earlier team announcement it may be that Jones made a late decision to stick to Lawes so that England will have more dynamism around the field than the All Blacks.

England coach Jones said: “Preparation has been good this week after a solid win against Australia. When you get to this stage of the World Cup it is all about focusing on being in the moment and getting yourself physically right.

“The squad has approached the game well with real maturity. It has helped having players here who have been on the Lions tour and played against New Zealand. They have been involved in some of the biggest games in world rugby so this semi-final won’t phase them.

“New Zealand is a great team, they have an impressive winning record since the last Rugby World Cup. Like any good team, you have got to take away time and space from them you have to find areas you can pressure them. We believe we have identified a number of areas where we can do that.”

How to watch on TV in the UK

The first semi-final of the weekend will be shown live on ITV. Coverage of Saturday’s clash starts at 7.30am (UK time) and the match begins at 9am. ITV will also show the Wales vs. South Africa semi-final on Sunday.

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Confirmed teams

New Zealand starting XV

• 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 6 Scott Barrett, 7 Ardie Savea, 8 Kieran Read (captain)
• Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Jordie Barrett

England starting XV

• 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Billy Vunipola
• Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Dan Cole, 19 George Kruis, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Jonathan Joseph

Pundit predictions

The Daily Telegraph: New Zealand by nine points

“New Zealand’s ominous performance against Ireland will have shown England the enormous challenge that lies ahead. England should be competitive but New Zealand have too much firepower.”

Liam Hyslop, Stuff.co.nz: New Zealand by seven points

“It should be a tight one, but New Zealand have the wood over England and have been building nicely through this tournament. ABs by 7.”

Gareth Jones, SportingLife: New Zealand to win

“Can you go from beating teams of 5/6 out of 10 quality to overcoming a 10 out of 10 side? England have yet to be truly tested, when New Zealand stamp on their throat will England fight back or crumble? As yet England have not delivered against the very best when it matters most. They are capable of changing that fact on Saturday, but for me that is why they will fall short.”

Ash Wheldon, The Stats Zone: New Zealand to win

“England sent out a message with their superb display against Australia before New Zealand arguably bettered their performance which lays a brilliant platform for this semi-final. When the latest world rankings are released following the quarter-finals, these are deemed to be the best two teams in the world, with New Zealand leading the way. England are good enough upset the odds and beat the All Blacks but have little margin for error which may be too much pressure for them to handle. In what should be a pulsating contest, every point will count and it is the reigning champions that can progress to the final.”

ESPN: New Zealand by six points

“England’s composed dismantling of Australia, who beat the All Blacks in the final tournament warm-up match - it can be done - will stand Eddie Jones’ side in good stead - as will the encouragement they can take from a narrow and controversial defeat by the All Blacks in their previous meeting in November at Twickenham. But New Zealand are tournament favourites for a reason, and they will likely prevail in this one. Tip: New Zealand by six.”

Maryam Naz, Novibet: England to win

“What is clear is that the likes of [Jonny] May, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi and Tom Curry are more than capable of causing the Kiwis defensive havoc. Do this often enough, and they could be on their way to making it to the World Cup finals, with the added reward of having sunk the reigning champions in the process.”

Steve Luckings, The National: New Zealand to win

“[Kieran] Read’s go-forward-never-backwards mentality and [Aaron] Smith’s sniping will cut England down to size. Having dismissed their chances of a three-peat at the start of the tournament, I’m now willing to go out and buy a hat and eat it. Prediction: No stopping rampant All Blacks.”

Spiro Zavos, The Roar: New Zealand to win

“Without putting any money on the matter, my fearless prediction is that the All Blacks and the Springboks will win their respective semi-finals, and go forward to a fearsome contest in the final.”

George Flood, London Evening Standard: England 17 New Zealand 30

“If New Zealand prove to be as ruthless as they were in the first half against Ireland, then even England’s best efforts will not be nearly enough to contain the threat of the world’s No1-ranked outfit. Jones’ men need to exploit their slight advantage at the breakdown with the tireless Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, produce a dogged defensive effort, maintain discipline and keep the ball out of the hands of twin playmakers Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett as much as possible. This iteration of England are surely too good to be thrashed, but the All Blacks tend to operate on a completely different level at the World Cup and it is hard to see a way past them, unless they have a rare off-day.”

Andrew McDermott, bwin: All Blacks to edge first semi

“The All Blacks are looking to win the tournament for a third successive time and the way they blew Ireland away in the quarter-finals showed they are clearly the team to beat once again. We expect England to be more competitive but the All Blacks to win by 1-12 points is our opening England vs New Zealand prediction.”

Graham Woods, Racing Post: narrow New Zealand win

“It should be a humdinger of a battle but it may well be predominantly fought out at close quarters. Backing another narrow New Zealand win looks the best betting approach while odds-against quotes about a forward opening the scoring are also appealing.”

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Wales take on the might of South Africa in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals on Sunday, and it’s clear who the French think will emerge victorious.

Warren Gatland’s Wales edged past France 20-19 in their dramatic quarter-final at the weekend and footage has emerged in which the French captain, Guilhem Guirado, mocks their opponents’s timidity.

“They are the first or second in the world? Seriously?” exclaims Guirado in a post-match pep talk to his players, that has been broadcast on French TV.

“They were s****ing their pants all match. In the first half, they looked at each other, they said to themselves, ‘Who is this? Who is this crazy team?’”

Winning ugly

Wales won ugly against the 14-man French - after Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent off on 48 minutes for a vicious elbow on Aaron Wainwright - and Guirado’s words are likely to touch a nerve in the Welsh camp.

They were certainly not the same confident side that romped to the Six Nations grand slam title six months ago, but going into Sunday’s semi-final as underdogs may help them shed their inhibitions.

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Let’s get physical

The man who scored the winning try against France, Ross Moriarty, says they know they are in for a bruising encounter against a Springbok side that strangled the life out of Japan in their quarter-final.

“South Africa are renowned for being a physical team,” said Moriarty. “I know what their forwards thrive on, which is being physical, and that’s what I thrive on as well.

“Some players go hiding when it gets tough, but I think I get better in those situations.”

‘Please, don’t be a red’

Moriarty replaced Josh Navidi in the first-half against France, and his physicality soon earned him a yellow card for a high tackle on France’s Gael Fickou. He admits that the tackle was so bad he feared he could have been sent off.

“I was just thinking, ‘please, please don’t be a red’,” said Moriarty. “That was definitely a big moment. I had been on for only 90 seconds and I was thinking to myself, ‘If he gives me a red card, this is the end of me’.

“It was a mistimed tackle. I closed my eyes and thought he was going to run round me, but he stopped and ducked under me.”

Easiest try

Moriarty scored the crucial try four minutes from time against France, and the 25-year-old back-row forward admitted he didn’t have to do that much other than pluck the ball off the ground and flop over the try-line.

“I was running towards the ball and just thinking, ‘I can’t mess this up’,” he said. “I just landed on my head first and got the ball under my chest to make sure no one could come in and get it.

“It was probably the easiest try I’ve ever scored but probably the most nervous I’ve been when scoring one.”

Wales or South Africa will face England or New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final on 2 November in Yokohama.

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Jones: we’ve been spied on

England head coach Eddie Jones claims that “spies” watched his squad train on Tuesday as they prepared for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

Jones’s side take on the two-time defending champions in Yokohama on Saturday and he says onlookers filmed the training session in Tokyo Bay from a nearby apartment building.

He did not specifically accuse the All Blacks of spying but joked that they may have sent someone to film the session, The Daily Telegraph reports.

“There was definitely someone in the apartment block filming but it might have been a Japanese fan,” said Jones.

“I don’t care mate. We have got someone there [watching New Zealand training] now. We knew it from the start, but it doesn’t change anything, we love it.”

Kiwis ready for mighty clash

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is expecting a ferocious encounter on Saturday. It’s 20 years since the sides last met in the Rugby World Cup and Hansen is braced for a stiff challenge in Yokohama.

“They’re playing good footy so they’ll be confident, as we will be,” he told reporters. “England are a good side. It’s going to be a mighty clash. Against Australia they didn’t have a lot of the ball but they kept scoring.”

Fight the frustration

Australia thrashed New Zealand 47-26 when the two sides met in the Rugby Championship in August, so Hansen appreciates the threat posed by Jones’s England team.

“I watched the first half of it [quarter-final] and Australia hammered and hammered and got no success,” he said.

“When you get no success you get frustrated. Obviously, we can’t afford to get frustrated against them. If we’re not having success we’ve just got to keep building the momentum and pressure until we do.”

Canny Eddie

Hansen, who spoke earlier in the week of his respect for Jones’s coaching credentials, said that he wouldn’t put it past his rival to spring a selection surprise for the semi-final.

“We’ve got to plan for the chance they could bring back George Ford [at fly-half] and we have to plan for the fact they may not,” said the Kiwi.

“This time of the week you’ve done your hard work. Who plays at 10 doesn’t really matter. They have a blueprint, as do we. What’s then important is fine-tuning your focus.”

Pressure

Asked if he and his squad were feeling the pressure ahead of Saturday’s match, Hansen replied: “Yes, we feel it. We’re playing in the semi-final. It’s about how we handle it. You crack it, you’ll be fine. You don’t - you could miss the opportunities that are there.”

History is on the side of New Zealand with the All Blacks victorious in their three previous World Cup encounters - 1991, 1995 and 1999 - as well as the recent matches between the two sides.

But Hansen dismissed such stats as irrelevant.

“History is history and it’s about creating new history,” he said. “That game might define either team but it will give one a chance to go through to the final. There’s a lot of respect there.”

Hansen also confirmed he “100%” expects captain Kieran Read to play on Saturday after reports the No.8 was struggling with a calf injury.

Peyper punished

Jaco Peyper’s ill-judged photo opportunity with a group of Welsh fans has cost him a chance of officiating the England vs. New Zealand semi-final.

A statement from World Rugby said that Welsh whistle-blower Nigel Owens will referee the game with Romain Poite and Pascal Gaüzère of France as assistant referees and Marius Jonker (South Africa) as TMO.

World Rugby said: “The match officials selection committee did not consider Jaco Peyper for selection this weekend [and] Peyper recognises that a picture of him with Wales fans, which appeared on social media after the Wales versus France quarter-final, was inappropriate and he has apologised.”

Sunday’s semi-final between Wales and South Africa will be refereed by Jérôme Garcès of France with Wayne Barnes (England) and Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) as assistant referees and Ben Skeen (New Zealand) as TMO.

Eddie Jones says self-belief will be key for England if they want to beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-final.

The two in-form teams of the tournament will clash in a mouth-watering contest on Saturday - the first time that England and New Zealand have met in a World Cup since 1999.

England thrashed Australia 40-16 on Saturday, while the All Blacks humbled Ireland 46-14, but one of the sides will have their World Cup dream ended in Yokohama.

Find the weakness

New Zealand, the two-time defending champions, haven’t lost a World Cup game since being beaten by France in the 2007 quarter-final but for Jones that scary statistic is merely a challenge.

“No one’s got a 100% record in Test rugby,” said Jones. “No one averages 100 in Test cricket. No one wins every grand slam 6-0 6-0. So every team has got a weakness. Every team is beatable.”

Asked to name New Zealand’s weaknesses, Jones added: “Well, we’ll find that out during the week. The All Blacks are a great side - well coached, good leadership team - if you give them the type of ball they want, they are hard to defend against.”

Text message

For the rugby neutral the game would have been better as the final, bringing together the two standout teams in the tournament so far, and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has revealed he’s already sent a text to England’s Jones.

“I said: ‘Looking forward to seeing you and win, lose or draw we’ll have a beer afterwards’,” Hansen told reporters.

Steady Eddie

It’s increasingly unusual in the modern game for opposition coaches to indulge in anything other than snide comments in the lead-up to a match but Hansen explained why that’s not the case with him and Jones.

“His passion, he loves the game,” he said. “Anyone who loves the game will get my support. He’s done a fantastic job with England. They’ve got a world record for most wins in Test rugby along with ourselves. They’ve got a harder edge about them.”

Wallabies in crisis

An era in Australian rugby has been brought to an end by the England drubbing. Coach Michael Cheika has announced he is stepping down, and Will Genia and David Pocock have ended their international careers.

Six other members of the World Cup squad will be unavailable for selection because they are taking overseas contracts - Australia has a policy of not selecting players playing abroad unless they have won more than 60 caps - raising worrying questions about the future of the national team.

Rugby union is not financially in good health in Australia, and the ongoing controversy with Israel Folau, who is claiming £5.6m in damages from Rugby Australia (ARU) after he was sacked for anti-gay comments he made on social media, has added to the sense of gloom.

Dysfunctional

Cheika laid bare the dysfunctionality of the ARU as he resigned saying: “I think it’s no secret that I’ve pretty much got no relationship with the CEO [Raelene Castle] and not much with the chairman [Cameron Clyne]... I’ve always prided myself on not compromising my own values and what I want to do.”

New Zealander Dave Rennie, currently in charge of the Glasgow Warriors, is favourite to land the job and according to the Sydney Morning Herald, the ARU might scrap the 60-cap rule in an attempt to make the Wallabies competitive once more.

Rugby World Cup results and fixtures

Quarter-final results

• Saturday 19 October: England 40 Australia 16
• Saturday 19 October: New Zealand 46 Ireland 14
• Sunday 20 October: Wales 20 France 19
• Sunday 20 October: Japan 3 South Africa 26

Semi-final fixtures

• Saturday 26 October: England vs. New Zealand (9am; International Stadium, Yokohama; live on ITV)
• Sunday 27 October: Wales vs. South Africa (9am; International Stadium, Yokohama; live on ITV)

Rugby World Cup quarter-final Wales 20 France 19

South African referee Jaco Peyper has outraged France after appearing to mock their defeat with Welsh fans.

Wales squeaked past France 20-19 in a dramatic quarter-final that hinged on two controversial moments.

The first was the dismissal on 48 minutes of Sebastien Vahaamahina, the French second row, who was shown a red card for a blatant elbow to the face of Wales flanker Aaron Wainwright.

Controversial

France coach Jacques Brunel had no issue with the decision but he did dispute the other crucial moment in the second-half - the decision to award a try to Ross Moriarty five minutes from time.

Television replays showed that the ball went forward as Tomos Williams ripped the ball free of French hands but officials awarded the Six Nations champions the match-winning try after studying the footage.

“The last try, there is a player who pulled on the ball and it went forward and so that’s the decision I would like to see again because I am a little disappointed,” said Brunel.

The law states that if a player rips the ball from an opponent and it goes forward it is technically adjudged to have come backwards simultaneously.

Bad call

Wales head coach Warren Gatland later admitted that “the better team lost today”, and France’s dejection has now been deepened by the photo of Peyper posing with Wales fans after the game.

The South Africa appears to be re-enacting the elbow of Vahaamahina in an astonishing lapse of judgement. Not surprisingly French rugby fans are furious.

“Card fully justified, but after this photo I do wonder about the impartiality of the man in black,” was typical of the response on social media, with Welsh fans also questioning the behaviour of Peyper.

Establishing the facts

The BBC reports that World Rugby has opened an investigation into the photo.

A statement said: “World Rugby is aware of a picture on social media of referee Jaco Peyper with a group of Wales fans taken after last night’s [Sunday] quarter-final between Wales and France in Oita. It would be inappropriate to comment further while we are establishing the facts.”

French Rugby Federation vice-president Serge Simon said: “This photo if it is true is shocking and explanations will be necessary.”

Wales set up showdown with Springboks

Wales will play South Africa in the semi-final on Sunday after the Springboks ended Japan’s World Cup adventure with a ruthless 26-3 victory.

As predicted, the South Africans used their superior size to suffocate the host nation, doing what Ireland and Scotland had been unable to do in the pool stage.

Two tries from wing Makazole Mapimpi and one from scrum-half Faf de Klerk sealed an emphatic victory for South Africa while a Yu Tamura penalty was all that Japan managed.

“They’re all about seven-foot-five,” reflected Japan winger Lomano Lemeki. “What can you do? You can’t ask to be bigger… they just bashed the s*** out of us.”

RWC quarter-final results

• Saturday 19 October: England 40 Australia 16
• Saturday 19 October: New Zealand 46 Ireland 14
• Sunday 20 October: Wales 20 France 19
• Sunday 20 October: Japan 3 South Africa 26

RWC semi-final fixtures

• Saturday 26 October: England vs. New Zealand (9am; International Stadium, Yokohama; live on ITV)
• Sunday 27 October: Wales vs. South Africa (9am; International Stadium, Yokohama; live on ITV)

Japan vs. South Africa

• What: Rugby World Cup quarter-final
• When: Sunday 20 October
• Where: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
• UK start time: 11.15am
• TV coverage: live on ITV

A film has been made about the last time South Africa and Japan met at the Rugby World Cup.

The Brighton Miracle tells the story of that incredible day in 2015 when the two-time world champions were stunned by the Brave Blossoms in rugby union’s biggest ever upset.

Four years later, can it happen again when they clash in the quarter-final on Sunday at the Tokyo Stadium?

Given the way that the Japanese beat Ireland and Scotland in the pool stage, playing with pace and precision and relentless energy, the answer is “yes”, but only a fool would write off the South Africans.

Forewarned is forearmed and all that. Plus, the Springboks are out for revenge.

“We know that it’s happened, it’s four years later, it’s a new opportunity for us,” said Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe. “We’ll make sure we’re really well prepared and just implement what the coaches want from us and not have what happened in 2015 at the back of our heads.”

Boks too big?

But for all the attacking potency provided by Kolbe, it’s up front where South Africa will look to crush the life out of Japan.

The hosts will have to be at their top of their game just to achieve parity in the line-out and scrum, and the Springboks will launch their massive ball-carriers at the heart of the Japanese to suck in defenders before creating the space for Kolbe out wide.

Also expect the South Africans to put boot to ball a lot; the Japanese wingers are electric but what are they like fielding a high ball with several South Africans steaming after them?

Pace versus power

The intentions of South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus are evident in the fact he’s named six forwards on the bench, including two second-rows.

“If you’ve watched the way we’ve played through the World Cup, you will see the way we are going to play,” said South Africa assistant coach Matthew Proudfoot.

Asked if it’s going to be a one-dimensional approach, Proudfoot promised an “exciting Test match”, which if you’re a South African probably means suffocating the Japanese at the set-piece.

All fired up

Japan’s only change to the team that beat Scotland last weekend is the return at full-back of Ryohei Yamanaka in place of William Tupou.

“We’ve achieved the last eight but what we do from here is also important,” said No.8 Kazuki Himeno. He added that the Brave Blossoms are “all fired up for the South Africa game”.

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How to watch on TV in the UK

The fourth and final quarter-final tie of the weekend will be shown live on ITV. Coverage of Sunday’s clash in Tokyo begins at 10.45am (UK time) and the match starts at 11.15am. Wales play France in the first quarter-final on Sunday.

Confirmed teams

South Africa starting XV

• 15. Willie le Roux, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Handré Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk; 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 5. Lood de Jahger, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Tendai Mtawarira
• Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Franco Mostert, 21. Francois Louw, 22. Herschel Jantjies, 23. Frans Steyn.

Japan starting XV

• 15. Ryohei Yamanaka, 14. Kotaro Matsushima, 13. Timothy Lafaele, 12. Ryoto Nakamura, 11. Kenki Fukuoka, 10. Yu Tamura, 9. Yutaka Nagare; 8. Kazuki Himeno, 7. Pieter Labuschagne, 6. Michael Leitch (captain), 5. James Moore, 4. Luke Thompson, 3. Jiwon Koo, 2. Shota Horie, 1. Keita Inagaki
• Replacements: 16. Atsushi Sakate, 17. Isileli Nakajima, 18. Asaeli Ai Valu, 19. Wimpie van der Walt, 20. Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 21. Fumiaki Tanaka, 22. Rikiya Matsuda, 23. Lomano Lava Lemeki

Pundit predictions

ESPN: South Africa by nine points

“Japan stunned, literally shocked, South Africa 34-32 in the 2015 World Cup, and they’ll be looking to do more of the same this time around. The hosts have already topped pool A against the odds after upsetting Ireland 19-12 earlier in the tournament. If anyone doubted the ability of this Japan side, their commanding performance against Scotland was enough to make people take notice. South Africa are the better side and should run out comfortable winners and will arrive as favourites - but maybe that’s where Japan are at their most dangerous.”

Gareth Jones, Sporting Life: South Africa to win

“South Africa’s power was too much for Japan in their World Cup warm-up match in September, as the Brave Blossoms were brushed aside 41-7, and this should be an indication of how this match should go.”

Liam Hyslop, Stuff.co.nz: South Africa by ten points

“This will be Japan’s first Rugby World Cup quarter-final, so you have to back South Africa with all their big-game experience. Japan should be kept in it for a long way by their strong home support, but I would expect the Springboks to ease out to a ten-point win by full-time.”

The Daily Telegraph: Japan 17 South Africa 37

“Japan outclassed Scotland in the most entertaining game of the competition so far to reach the last eight, but that’s because the Scots play a similar, high-tempo game to the Japanese; it’s just that the Brave Blossoms did it better. South Africa, on the other hand, will look to use their superior size to bludgeon their hosts into submission and will not give Japan the same amount of space to play in that Scotland did. Prediction: Japan 17 South Africa 37.”

Malik Ouzia, London Evening Standard: Japan 21 South Africa 37

“What a thrill it would be if the hosts could keep this incredible story rolling. The Springboks should prove one step too far, though.”

Ash Wheldon, The Stats Zone

“Japan have been the story of this RWC and the hosts will hope their journey can continue but they face a mammoth task against South Africa. The Springboks have ran in scores for fun but this will be a tougher test for them and although they should progress, Japan are capable of an upset. They have a nation behind them and have shown that they are no pushovers but if they are to achieve the unthinkable, they will have to defend as well as they did against Ireland and some.”

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Wales vs. France

• What: Rugby World Cup quarter-final
• When: Sunday 20 October
• Where: Oita Stadium, Oita, Japan
• UK start time: 8.15am
• TV coverage: live on ITV

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has been forced to make a late change to his starting XV after centre Jonathan Davies was ruled out with a knee injury.

Owen Watkin steps up to replace Davies and will partner Hadleigh Parkes in the centre. Leigh Halfpenny takes Watkin’s spot on the bench.

There had also been injury doubts over fly-half Dan Biggar and winger George North. The duo picked up knocks in last week’s brutal 29-17 win over Fiji, but are passed fit to take their place in Oita.

Positive vibes

“We’re in a good place and we’re really positive about the way we prepared,” said Gatland. “We’re very focused on wanting to go out there and stay in this tournament.”

Two of the starting XV - Alun Wyn Jones and North - appeared in the 9-8 defeat by France in the semi-final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

For Jones, captaining the side from the second-row, it will be his 141st Test match, a tally bettered in international rugby only by Richie McCaw (148 caps) and Sergio Parisse (142).

North forms part of a formidable back three, alongside fellow wing Josh Adams - the tournament’s joint top try scorer - and full-back Liam Williams.

Fragile France

In contrast, Wales are up against a relatively inexperienced French team with Maxime Medard the only survivor of the 2011 tournament.

They have some young talent in Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Damian Penaud, but they’re badly coached and poorly organised.

Wales have beaten France seven times in their past eight meetings and last time the sides met was in last season’s Six Nations when Wales overturned a 16-0 deficit in Paris to win 24-19.

It was a match that characterised France, a side incapable of playing 80 minutes of intense, precise rugby.

That is unlikely to change on Sunday even taking into account their two-week rest after the cancellation of last weekend’s final pool match against England because of Typhoon Hagibis.

The French side are neither physically fit enough or mentally strong enough to resist Wales, and if Gatland’s side play with the same intensity that they did against Australia in their opening pool game then their victory will be emphatic.

Gatland didn’t sound that worried at the press conference when discussing Sunday’s opponents, saying: “We’ve won seven of the last eight games against them. They’ve always been close games but we go in with a lot of belief and a lot of self confidence.”

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How to watch on TV in the UK

The first quarter-final on Sunday, and third of the weekend, is live on ITV. Coverage of Sunday’s clash in Oita begins at 7.30am (UK time) and the match starts at 8.15am.

Sunday’s other last-eight encounter sees host nation Japan take on South Africa in Tokyo (11.15am).

Confirmed teams

Wales starting XV

• 15. Liam Williams, 14. George North, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Hadleigh Parkes, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Gareth Davies; 8. Josh Navidi, 7. Justin Tipuric, 6. Aaron Wainwright, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4. Jake Ball, 3. Tomas Francis, 2. Ken Owens, 1. Wyn Jones
• Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Adam Beard, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Leigh Halfpenny

France starting XV

• 15. Maxime Medard, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 12. Gael Fickou, 11. Yoann Huget, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont; 8. Gregory Alldritt, 7. Charles Ollivon, 6. Wenceslas Lauret, 5. Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4. Bernard Le Roux, 3. Rabah Slimani, 2. Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1. Jefferson Poirot
• Replacements: 16. Camille Chat, 17. Cyril Baille, 18. Emerick Setiano, 19. Paul Gabrillagues, 20. Louis Picamoles, 21. Baptiste Serin, 22. Camille Lopez, 23. Vincent Rattez

Pundit predictions

The Daily Telegraph: Wales 25 France 20

“France are volatile and out for revenge - they will be dangerous and Wales will know that. Les Bleus have some superb individuals - on paper they look as good, if not better, than Wales. Nonetheless, Wales’ spirit and gritty determination will be enough to get them through. They have won their only match against ‘Tier one’ opposition this tournament, where they upped their game impressively, and they will be readying themselves for another World Cup semi-final. Prediction: Wales 25 France 20.”

ESPN: Wales by ten points

“The 2019 Grand Slam champions fended off a late charge from Australia earlier on in the tournament and could be in much of the same position against France. Centre Jonathan Davies and fly-half Dan Biggar have been given the all clear to return, and against a France side that looks far from the team that made the final back in 2011. If Wales can keep it together and stay disciplined, they should book a place in the semi-finals.”

Gareth Jones, Sporting Life: Wales to win

“France’s unpredictable flair used to give nightmares to their opponents, but now they lack the skill to execute this game plan to the highest levels required in the big games, and Wales’ simple, perfect execution of their own tactics is what should win out eventually. In the 2011 semi-final Wales lost to France after Sam Warburton’s controversial red card. Expect the Welsh to be fired up for revenge in this one.”

Liam Hyslop, Stuff.co.nz: Wales by seven points

“The French have descended into in-fighting and mutiny, which is just the way they like it at the Rugby World Cup. Still, Wales have looked good so far and should get Dan Biggar back. It’s hard to see anything other than a win for them. Wales by 7.”

Ash Wheldon, The Stats Zone: Wales to win

“Neither Wales nor France have particularly impressed at this RWC so far but the Welsh at least have their win over Australia to work with. They look to have the most improvement in them for this quarter-final clash and they should have too much against a disappointing French outfit. France have looked disjointed so far, perhaps thanks to their chopping and changing of their halfback pairing but they will have little time to adapt in this game and if they find themselves behind early on, they do not appear to have the talent or temperament to respond.”

Tony Mogan, London Evening Standard: Wales 28 France 22

“A couple of major injury boosts for Wales and a couple of major doubts could steer the contest in the favour of Warren Gatland’s side.”

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New Zealand vs. Ireland

• What: Rugby World Cup quarter-final
• When: Saturday 19 October
• Where: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
• UK start time: 11.15am
• TV coverage: live on ITV

Johnny Sexton says Ireland will need to play the “game of our lives” if they are to beat two-time defending champions New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

Sexton, the current rugby world player of the year, expects the “biggest challenge” of his career against the All Blacks in Tokyo.

He told The Irish Times: “Yeah, it’s the biggest challenge and it is the most exciting. We said it after the Samoa game: ‘Look lads, no matter who we play, this is the biggest game of our lives’.

“You feel it straight away. You feel it when you wake up this morning and your mind goes straight to the game. So sleep will probably be a challenge this week.

“It’s where you want to be and it’s where you want to challenge yourself. It’s where we can create something a little bit special back in the country.

“I am sure the country will go mad on Saturday morning, so I can’t wait for it.”

Schmidt opts for experience

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has picked an experienced team to take on the Kiwis. He has selected 12 of the starting XV that beat the All Blacks in Dublin last November.

Rob Kearney starts at full-back and Peter O’Mahony will play at blindside flanker. Half-back pair Conor Murray and Sexton will start their 56th Test match together - beating the record set by Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara.

Rory Best will captain the Ireland team on his 124th appearance in green.

Ireland will not appeal the suspension handed to Bundee Aki, who was sent off in the final pool A match against Samoa, and Rob Herring has replaced the injured Seán Cronin in the World Cup squad.

Hansen excited for last-eight clash

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has selected the in-form Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown at centre and captain Kieran Read returns to the side for his 125th Test match.

Hansen and his squad are looking forward to facing the Irish on Saturday. He said: “There’s a lot of energy and excitement in the team which is normal for this stage of the tournament where the winner takes all. It will add extra pressure to both sides.

“We feel we’ve selected a great mixture of talent in our 23, who are in great form, and the squad includes many players who have a lot of Rugby World Cup knockout match experience.

“Together with our experienced management team, that brings a deep understanding of what is needed to get the job done.

“Past Rugby World Cup history is important because of the positive or negative experiences you’ve had. But ultimately it is what happens on the day that counts.”

How to watch on TV in the UK

The second quarter-final of the weekend is live on ITV. Coverage of Saturday’s clash in Tokyo begins at 10.45am (UK time) and the match starts at 11.15am.

Saturday’s first quarter-final sees England face Australia (8.15am) then on Sunday it’s Wales vs. France (8.15am) and Japan vs. South Africa (11.15am).

RWC predictions: quarter-finals, tournament winners, betting odds

How the teams will line up in Tokyo

New Zealand starting XV

• 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Ardie Savea, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (captain); 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Beauden Barrett
• Replacements: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Ofa Tuungafasi, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Matt Todd, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Sonny Bill Williams, 23. Jordie Barrett

Ireland starting XV

• 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rory Best (captain), 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh Van der Flier, 8. CJ Stander; 9. Conor Murray, 10. Johnny Sexton, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 13. Garry Ringrose, 14. Keith Earls, 15. Rob Kearney
• Replacements: 16. Niall Scannell, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Andrew Porter, 19. Tadhg Beirne, 20. Rhys Ruddock, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Jordan Larmour

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Pundit predictions

Lawrence Dallaglio, The Ruck Podcast, The Times: Ireland to win

“The heart rules the head for me on this one. I’m going to predict a big upset and I reckon the Irish can produce something very, very special.”

The Daily Telegraph: New Zealand 26 Ireland 15

“The All Blacks have looked the best side at the Rugby World Cup and are expected to beat Ireland. The Irish side were excellent against Scotland but were undone by Japan. Despite getting the better of New Zealand in recent times, the All Blacks will make less mistakes than Ireland and be clinical in taking their chances. Prediction: New Zealand 26 Ireland 15.”

ESPN: New Zealand by ten points

“The All Blacks look as well-drilled and organised as you’d expect them to be and Ireland, who were upset by hosts Japan earlier this month, will likely find it hard to keep up. But can history repeat itself? Ireland have been a bogey team for the All Blacks in recent times, recording their only two victories over New Zealand in the past three contests in as many years.”

Gareth Jones, Sporting Life: New Zealand to win

“If Ireland win, and they can, it would be the first time they’ve ever reached the semi-finals, but this weight of history could be another indication that this will be the All Black’s day.”

Liam Hyslop, Stuff.co.nz: New Zealand by 15 points

“Ireland have won two of their last three against the All Blacks, but the men in black look in ominous form this tournament and should blow away an Ireland team which was simply overwhelmed by Japan in pool play. New Zealand by 15.”

Malik Ouzia, London Evening Standard: New Zealand 34 Ireland 17

“Ireland’s recent success against New Zealand - their only two wins against the Kiwis have come in their last three meetings - should provide some cause for optimism, but it would be a huge shock if they could upset the winning machine here.”

The South African: New Zealand by 15 points

“The algorithm tips the All Blacks to come out tops… but by a mere 15 points.”

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