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Rugby World Cup: For nearly a decade, Devin Toner was a towering figure in Irish rugby. A dominant force at the line-out, his height and consistency made him a regular fixture in the Ireland setup after making his international debut in 2010. Over the course of his career, Toner earned 70 caps and played his part in three Six Nations title wins.

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He established himself as one of the most reliable second rows of his era. So, when the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup began, Toner fully believed he was heading to Japan. In fact, it was a seemingly harmless question from then-head coach Joe Schmidt that convinced him his place in the squad was secure.

That is what made the eventual phone call from Schmidt telling him he would not be going all the more shocking. Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast, Toner recalled the moment vividly. He was at home, watching television, when his phone rang.

I thought I was going, but I got a phone call when I was watching TV, he said. We had a training camp in Portugal a couple of weeks or months beforehand, and Joe came up to me and asked, ‘What exact height are you?

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Rugby World Cup 2027: Why Toner Thought Japan Was Certain

Schmidt explained the question by saying it related to the height of bedroom ceilings and beds in Japan. To Toner, it sounded like practical planning for a confirmed squad member. “In my head, I was like, ‘OK, I’m going then, he said.

Toner’s height had been a topic of conversation in Japan before. During a tour in 2017, hotel staff had gone out of their way to extend his bed so he could sleep comfortably. While he stood out physically, he remembered the experience fondly. They were in awe when I was walking by, but they were incredibly respectful about it, he said.

That made his omission from the World Cup squad even harder to process. Toner described it as one of the lowest moments of his career. The decision was made even more surprising by the fact that Jean Kleyn, a South African-born lock who had only qualified for Ireland through residency weeks earlier, was selected instead.

Looking back, Toner admits he may have played a role in the decision. To my detriment, I was probably a little too comfortable, he said. I don’t think I played very well in the warm-up games. I don’t think I performed anywhere near my ability. The call caused a major reaction when the 31-man squad was announced.

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Rugby World Cup Final: From Ireland to World Champions

The residency rule came under scrutiny, and Kleyn himself faced criticism, something Toner says was unfair. “There was big fallout after it, and I do feel for Jean, he said. He got a lot of stick, but he was just trying to do his job as a professional rugby player.

From Toner’s perspective, it was never a direct battle between the two players. He was one of the second row who got picked. It wasn’t a case of me or me, he said. Kleyn’s time with Ireland ultimately proved limited.

After going three years without another cap, he returned to represent South Africa at the 2023 World Cup. He became part of the squad that lifted the trophy. Toner holds no resentment over how events unfolded.

He was doing what was best for his career, he said. He wanted to play international rugby. It’s nothing to do with him; it’s the system. Toner’s final Ireland appearance came in 2020, and he retired in 2022 after 16 years with Leinster.

While he admits he doesn’t watch as much rugby as he once did, he still follows Ireland closely and believes the current team is in a strong position. However, he feels one issue still needs addressing. Someone needs to nail down the line-out call, he said.

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After a flawless Autumn Nations Series in which they won all five Tests, the Springboks have underlined their status as. The dominant force in the international Rugby World Cup 2027. Their consistency, depth and ability to evolve continue to set the standard. And much of that is down to the influence of head coach Rassie Erasmus. Never content to stand still.

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Erasmus has already begun shaping the next phase of the world champions’ journey as he looks ahead to the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. One of Erasmus’s defining traits is his willingness to broaden the player pool, and 2025 was no exception. Strengthening competition for places and ensuring the squad remains fresh and adaptable.

Several players, in particular, appear well placed to make the step up. After a productive four-year spell with Premiership heavyweights Northampton Saints. The highly regarded number eight made the move to Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.

Then he has settled in quickly. Now 28, he has delivered a string of strong performances that underline his readiness for the next level. An explosive ball carrier, he regularly gets his side over the gainline with powerful. Direct running and brings real physical presence in both attack and defence.

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Rugby World Cup: Long on the Radar, Now Closing in on a Bok Debut

A former Rugby World Cup Junior Player of the Year, he has long been viewed as a future Springbok. He previously featured on lists of likely debutants ahead of the 2025 season, but a senior cap has so far eluded him. Even so, he remains firmly on the national radar. Erasmus has invited him to training camps and included him on the standby list for the recent end-of-year tour of Europe.

A breakthrough at the test level in 2026 feels increasingly likely. The Stormers, meanwhile, suffered a significant blow earlier this year when veteran back-rower Deon Fourie was sidelined with a torn bicep. His absence opened the door for a young flanker to step into the starting line-up, a role he had already filled previously when Fourie broke his tibia in April. Far from being overawed, the youngster seized his opportunity.

Still only 22, he showed during his first spell in the side that he was more than capable of covering for a Rugby World Cup winner, delivering mature performances on the openside flank. Since replacing Fourie again in October, he has gone to another level and has arguably been the Stormers’ standout performer this season.

The Cape side has enjoyed a perfect run in both the URC and the Investec Champions Cup, and his influence has been central to that success. A former South Africa Under-20 captain, he combines tireless defensive work with strong carrying ability. His greatest impact, however, comes at the breakdown, where his speed and strength.

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Rugby World Cup Final: Breakdown Brilliance Puts Flanker in Bok Frame

The technique allows him to win turnovers at crucial moments. Short and stocky with exceptional upper-body power, Rugby World Cup Final, he has drawn comparisons with former Springbok flanker Heinrich Brussow. If his current form continues, it will be difficult for Erasmus to overlook him when national selections are made next year.

Elsewhere, a 25-year-old back has been catching the eye with the Bulls. Operating primarily on the wing, he has emerged as a genuine attacking threat, blending pace with raw power. He was one of the Pretoria side’s standout performers during their run to the 2025 URC Rugby World Cup Final, where they were narrowly beaten by Leinster.

Comfortable at outside centre as well, he first announced himself in 2022 when he played a pivotal role in the Pumas’ Currie Cup triumph. His influence throughout that campaign earned him the tournament’s player of the year award, a sign of his consistency and big-game temperament. Strong form over the past two seasons has not gone unnoticed.

Besides, he was named among a group of 10 players placed on standby for the Springboks’ recent European tour. Although he did not feature, his trajectory suggests a full call-up is only a matter of time. With depth growing and competition fierce, these contenders reflect a system designed to refresh while keeping standards high, ensuring South Africa remains formidable through the next cycle.

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Paris Saint-Germain finally added the Fifa Intercontinental Cup to their growing trophy collection after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Flamengo. Rugby World Cup 2027, with goalkeeper Matvey Safonov emerging as the unlikely hero. The Russian shot-stopper saved four penalties as PSG claimed a 2–1 shootout victory following a 1–1 draw after extra time. Sealing their sixth piece of silverware in an extraordinary 2025 season.

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Safonov, 26, was handed the biggest night of his PSG career despite the recent return to fitness of France international Lucas Chevalier. He initially stumbled, conceding Flamengo’s first penalty, but responded with remarkable composure. One by one, he denied the next three Brazilian takers. Shifting the momentum decisively in Paris’s favour and setting the stage for Bradley Barcola to convert the winning kick.

Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi briefly kept the contest alive by saving Barcola’s first attempt, allowing Luiz Araujo the chance to draw level. But Safonov was not finished. He produced another sharp save to repel Araujo’s effort. Sparking wild celebrations as teammates rushed towards him before lifting him into the air.

PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi was quick to congratulate the keeper, whose performance will live long in the club’s history. The night carried an added sense of redemption for Safonov, who has spent much of the year in the shadows. Gianluigi Donnarumma had been the undisputed number one as PSG swept domestic honours, winning Ligue 1, the French Super Cup and the Coupe de France.

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Rugby World Cup: From Third Choice to Trusted on the Biggest Stage

Donnarumma also stood between the posts when PSG demolished Inter Milan 5–0 in Munich to claim their first Champions League title. Safonov remained understudy during the Fifa Club Rugby World Cup in the United States, and his status seemed further diminished when head coach Luis Enrique sold Donnarumma to Manchester City and recruited Chevalier from Lille.

Chevalier made an immediate impact, debuting in August’s European Super Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur and holding his place until injury struck against Monaco in early December. That setback opened the door for Safonov, who seized his moment on the grand stage in Qatar. The final, played at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, was tense and physical.

PSG took the lead just before half-time through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Flamengo, fresh from their Copa Libertadores triumph in November, hit back. Jorginho calmly converted a penalty in the 61st minute after Marquinhos tripped Giorgian de Arrascaeta, forcing extra time and eventually penalties. PSG midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery praised the collective effort afterwards.

He said the team could be proud of their performance against a strong opponent, but stressed that focus must quickly turn to the challenges ahead, with the toughest part of the season still to come. The squad will return to France to begin the defence of their Coupe de France crown, starting with a tie against fifth-tier Vendée Fontenay Foot. Their success in Qatar places PSG in rare company, making them only the third club.

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Rugby World Cup Final: Only Chelsea denies PSG Ultimate Perfection.

Afterward Barcelona in 2009 and Bayern Munich in 2020, to win all three domestic trophies alongside the Champions League, European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup in a single cycle. A perfect seven narrowly escaped them after defeat to Chelsea in July’s Club Rugby World Cup final. Elsewhere, attention is turning to the New Zealand Rugby World Cup.

Where an end-of-year review of the All Blacks could prompt changes to the coaching staff. Leon MacDonald departed in 2024, while Jason Holland chose not to reapply for his assistant role after his contract ended. With modern coaching contracts offering greater flexibility, a reshuffle or external appointment remains possible.

In an ideal scenario, Scott Robertson and New Zealand Rugby World Cup Final would love to lure current Springboks attack coach Tony Brown into the All Blacks setup ahead of 2026, though availability remains uncertain. The previous All Black playmaker has been training abroad for his career after signing 208 times for Harlequins, and has been deliberated as a choice for the obtainable role.

The All Blacks training group. Evans played 16 eras for the All Blacks over three years, and has been an associate trainer at both Harlequins and England meanwhile. Sky Sport critic Tony Johnson said on the DSPN Podcast with Martin Devlin that his midair skills know-how could be a key aim for Evans to be required for the part. Jane’s work with the Storms might also help him advantage the part over the other applicants.

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The undisputed stars of 2025 were the Red Roses, who redefined dominance in the women’s game. Under John Mitchell, Rugby World Cup 2027, they reached new heights. Securing their fourth consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam, which marked their seventh in just nine years. On top of that, they lifted a third World Cup trophy on home soil. A triumph that only added to their growing legacy.

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Their remarkable form extended into a 33-Test winning streak, a run that has remained unbroken since 2022. Underscoring a level of consistency rarely seen in rugby at any level. Their World Cup victory at Twickenham in September didn’t just bring them silverware. It propelled the Red Roses fully into the public spotlight. The win led to a nomination for Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality Awards.

While also shining a wider light on women’s rugby. The ripple effects of their success are already being felt across the Premier Women’s Rugby (PWR) league. Inspiring younger players and elevating the profile of the sport across the board. Both on and off the pitch, the Red Roses made 2025 a year to remember.

Meanwhile, in the men’s game, the Springboks once again asserted themselves as the team to beat, creating a sense of unease among their competitors ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2027. Rassie Erasmus’ side steadily grew stronger throughout the year, finishing with an impressive 12 wins from 14 Tests, translating to an 86%-win rate.

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Rugby World Cup: The Teams Everyone Else Is Chasing

They also claimed a second consecutive Rugby World Cup Championship title, solidifying their dominance in the southern hemisphere. While the sheer number of victories is impressive, it is the manner of those wins that truly sets the Springboks apart. They combined ruthless physicality with intelligent, attacking Rugby World Cup, what many have come to call Tony-ball, to devastating effect.

Highlights of the year included a record-setting 43-10 defeat of New Zealand in Wellington, a 73-0 rout of Wales, and imposing victories over Argentina, Japan, France, and Ireland. With this form, they are already positioning themselves as favourites to chase a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title. The summer brought another focus for rugby fans with the British and Irish Lions tour.

Especially following the COVID-disrupted 2021 trip to South Africa. Heading into 2025, the Lions were seen as strong favourites for a series win, particularly with the Wallabies showing inconsistency in 2024. Their start was rocky, with Argentina upsetting them in Dublin, but the team quickly recovered, stringing together eight wins in a row, including two series-clinching victories against Australia.

A lightning delay and a final defeat cast a minor shadow over the tour, but overall, the Lions achieved what they set out to do. Series wins for the Lions are rare, and this victory marked only the 12th in their storied history, also becoming the first time in the post-war era that they secured back-to-back series wins against the same opponent.

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Rugby World Cup Final: A Season That Set the Agenda for 2027

On the men’s international scene, Rugby World Cup Final, England emerged as a serious challenger to the Springboks. Steve Borthwick’s team bounced back from a difficult 2024 to record 11 wins from 12 Tests in 2025, the only Tier One side with a better record than South Africa. They achieved all 11 victories consecutively, including wins over France, New Zealand, Argentina three times, and Australia.

England also demonstrated tactical flexibility, particularly through varied selections at fly-half, allowing them to deploy different attacking strategies throughout the year—a method the Springboks had perfected in 2024. These signs point to a team on the rise, one capable of competing for World Cup glory in 2027.

Finally, in European club rugby, Bordeaux made a significant statement by finally stepping out of the shadows of the continent’s elite. After years of knocking on the door of top-level European competition, their Investec Champions Cup triumph firmly established them as a force to be reckoned with.

Across the board, 2025 proved to be a year of remarkable achievement, with dominance, tactical evolution, and historic victories shaping the landscape of both men’s and women’s rugby. The Red Roses, Springboks, Lions, and England all showed glimpses of greatness, each carving out stories of excellence that will shape the narrative leading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final and beyond.

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Ireland captain Caelan Doris accepts that the road to the Rugby World Cup 2027 will demand progress in every part of the game after an autumn that offered as many questions as answers. November brought sobering defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, with victories over Japan and Australia sandwiched in between.

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Results that left Ireland fourth in the world rankings rather than setting an irresistible surge of momentum. The draw for Australia placed Ireland in Pool D alongside Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal in the expanded 24-team tournament, a group that offers opportunity but no room for complacency. Reflecting on the autumn series, Doris was candid about standards.

He felt there was no single department that consistently reached excellence, although the breakdown stood out as an area of relative strength. For Doris, that honesty is not a concern but a source of motivation. He sees growth available everywhere, driven both by collective clarity and individual accountability. Doris pointed to detailed conversations with forwards coach Paul O’Connell, using his own discipline as an example.

Penalties conceded, tackle technique and other small habits, he said, must improve if Ireland is to meet the standards they set themselves. The encouraging part, in his view, is the appetite within the squad to confront those issues head on, underpinned by belief in the coaching plan and in each other. Ireland’s Rugby World Cup history inevitably looms large, with eight quarter-final exits.

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Rugby World Cup: Perspective Over Pressure as Ireland Look Forward

The most recent coming against New Zealand in France in 2023. Doris insists, however, that this narrative is largely external noise. The structure of the next tournament, with a new round-of-16 stage, changes the landscape anyway. Rather than dwelling on past frustrations, he believes the additional knockout opportunity could even prove helpful, though it is not something the players are fixated on.

A similar blend of reflection and optimism can be found in Irish women’s hockey, where experience and resilience continue to shape progress. Fittingly, a landmark moment arrived in Dublin as Ireland marked a 250th cap for one of its most influential figures, earned in a fiercely contested 2–1 defeat by England. The occasion carried deep personal meaning, a celebration shared with teammates.

Close friends and a home crowd that has followed the journey for more than a decade. For thirteen years, that player, Shirley Mullan, has been central to every major chapter in modern Irish women’s hockey. Since her senior debut in 2012, she has embodied the team’s growth, captaining Ireland to a historic silver medal at the 2018 Rugby World Cup in London and leading qualification for.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the country’s first appearance in the women’s competition. Although she has since stepped away from the captaincy, Mullan’s influence has not faded. She has helped guide Ireland to successive FIH Hockey Nations Cup silver medals and to promotion into the Pro League for the first time.

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Rugby World Cup Final: A Demanding Introduction to the Pro League

Elevating the programme into the sport’s most demanding annual competition. Rugby World Cup Final, Ireland’s introduction to Pro League action in Dublin was challenging but instructive. Three defeats from four matches included two narrow losses to world number three Belgium and another tight reverse against England, all by 2–1 scorelines. Yet there was also encouragement.

Most notably, a bonus-point shootout win against England after a 1–1 draw, evidence that Ireland belongs at this level. Mullan believes the week confirmed that the team is exactly where it should be. At the elite level, she says, games are decided by fine margins and fleeting moments, lessons that Ireland is learning quickly. After years of watching the Pro League from hotel rooms around the world.

Simply being part of it now is significant. Competing regularly against the best, Rugby World Cup Final, she is convinced, will accelerate growth and ensure Ireland continues to close the gap. Together, these parallel stories underline a wider truth about Irish sport: progress is rarely linear. Whether in rugby or hockey, honest appraisal, patience and belief matter.

Setbacks sharpen focus, while exposure to elite competition reveals standards required. The challenge now is consistency, turning promise into habit. If lessons are absorbed and hunger sustained, both teams can approach their next global tests with confidence, clarity and renewed ambition that matches their undoubted potential and collective experience built over time together nationally at home.

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England now know who stands between them and a place in the final of the Rugby World Cup 2027 after the draw was made in Sydney on Wednesday. The ceremony has given Steve Borthwick’s side a clear picture of the challenges ahead, as well as a sense of where the real dangers may lie if they progress deep into the tournament.

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The draw comes at a time when England’s momentum is quietly building. Earlier this year, they survived a serious test against Argentina to claim an 11th consecutive victory of 2025, a result that reinforced belief within the squad and provided a timely boost before next season’s Six Nations. That run of form has helped soften the lingering disappointment of 2023.

When England fell just short of the final after a brutal semi-final defeat to South Africa. The Springboks edged that contest 16-15 and went on to win a tense final against New Zealand. South Africa remains the benchmark. They are chasing a historic third straight Rugby World Cup 2027 title and recently underlined their power by dismantling Wales 73-0, running in 11 tries.

Few sides can match that level of physical dominance, and it is no surprise they are again among the favourites. England have been placed in Pool F alongside Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe. On paper, it is a manageable group, although Wales always brings edge and familiarity, while Tonga’s physicality demands respect.

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How England’s Rugby World Cup Route Could Unfold

Zimbabwe are the outsider, but tournaments have a habit of punishing complacency. England will expect to top the pool, but nothing will be taken for granted. If England finish first, they will move into a round-of-16 match against the runner-up from Pool B. With South Africa strongly fancied to win that pool, England are likely to face either Italy or Georgia at that stage.

Both are awkward opponents capable of springing surprises, but England would be confident of progressing. The quarter-final picture is more daunting. England would then meet the winner of a clash between the runners-up from Pool A and Pool E. That combination points towards one of New Zealand or Australia, with Japan also a possible opponent.

It is the kind of fixture that traditionally defines a Rugby World Cup campaign and leaves little room for error. Reaching the semi-finals would open the door to another heavy test. The winners of Pool C or Pool D would await, bringing Argentina, Ireland or Scotland into the equation. Each carries its own threat: Argentina’s intensity, Ireland’s structure and Scotland’s attacking ambition.

By that stage, only the most complete teams tend to survive. A place in the final could then set up a showdown with one of South Africa, New Zealand or France, three of the four leading contenders according to early betting. For England, it would be a chance to right old wrongs and reclaim the sport’s biggest prize.

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Rugby World Cup Final: Shortlist Announced for Team of the Year Award

Away from rugby, voting has opened for the Team of the Year award at the Sports Personality of the Year 2025. England’s Euro 2025-winning women’s football team, the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final champions and Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup side have all been shortlisted. Voting closes ahead of the live BBC One and BBC iPlayer broadcast on Thursday, 18 December. Last year’s award went to Wigan Warriors.

The Lionesses’ Euro triumph was historic. Their penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in July made them the first senior England football team to win a major trophy on foreign soil. They showed remarkable resilience, conceding first in all three knockout matches and taking three different games to extra time.

England’s women rugby players were equally impressive, lifting the Rugby World Cup Final in September with a 33-13 win over Canada in front of a world-record crowd at Twickenham. It was their first title since 2014 and extended a remarkable unbeaten run to 33 matches. Europe’s Ryder Cup success was another landmark. Luke Donald’s side withstood a fierce American comeback to win 15-13 at Bethpage Black.

Securing back-to-back victories and a rare win on US soil. Finally, Sale Sharks’ 35-14 win away to Clermont showed promise. Raffi Quirke impressed, while young lock Tom Burrow continues to develop faster than expected. For England, signs of depth and progress are quietly encouraging.

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It is almost that time of year again. The season of mince pies, Rugby World Cup 2027, a small glass of cognac, and the quiet ritual of waiting for Father Christmas. You leave the treats carefully by the chimney, turn out the light, and drift off to sleep. If fortune smiles, you might half-hear the familiar thud and wheeze as Santa Claus squeezes down the flue with his sack of gifts.

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If you are luckier still, he may leave behind a fine rugby book beneath the tree. You could do far worse than waking on a cold Christmas morning to find Brendan Fanning’s Touching Distance: Irish rugby’s great battle with expectations waiting for you. It is the kind of book that draws you in, warms the heart with humour and story, and keeps you turning pages long after breakfast.

Yet there is a warning attached, tucked away quietly rather than printed in bold. This book is written with full knowledge of what might have been, but never was. That knowledge hangs over every chapter. For supporters of the Irish Rugby World Cup 2027, it creates an uneasy feeling that lingers, a dull ache in the stomach that no festive remedy can cure. The stories delight, but they also sting.

Touching distance means exactly what it says. It means reaching a Rugby World Cup quarter-final as the number one team in the world. It means beating the reigning champions in the pool stage, then meeting a New Zealand side you had defeated the year before on their own soil.

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Rugby World Cup: An Elegy Still Being Written

Then it means losing again, at the same point where Irish campaigns always seem to end. Despite the progress, the professionalism, and the structural reforms beneath the senior team, the result is familiar. They win, and you go home. That is the story of Irish Rugby World Cup over the past decade: a narrative full of charm, intelligence, and personality, but shadowed by frustration.

Longing for what could have been runs through it like a quiet refrain. Fanning’s book reads almost as an elegy. The last rites may not yet have been delivered, but they are never far away, folded in a pocket as a reminder that success can be both close and cruel. The book truly gathers momentum when it turns to the man who drove Ireland into the top tier of world rugby in the 2010s.

Six chapters focus on the Joe Schmidt era, the heart of the story. Schmidt first arrived in Ireland in 1991, unknown and uncelebrated, landing in Mullingar as a young player from Manawatu who wanted experience and a glimpse of the wider world beyond New Zealand. By the time he left that first time, he was coaching Wilson’s Hospital School and acting as player-coach for Mullingar RFC.

Quietly hinting at what lay ahead. As Fanning notes, Schmidt’s return seventeen years later could be imagined as a Hollywood tale. A modern reworking of a mission to banish old habits and reshape beliefs, perhaps even with a change of name to Patrick.

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Rugby World Cup Final: Built by One, Perfected by Another

This second arrival was anything but low-key. It sparked a cycle of success that began with Leinster in the 2010–11 season and rolled on, almost without interruption, through to 2017–18 with Ireland. The Irish Rugby World Cup Final was transformed, and nothing would be quite the same again. Where his predecessor, Michael Cheika, was a builder of culture, Schmidt was a master of detail, relentlessly pushing standards forward.

If Cheika laid the foundations, Schmidt refined every measurement. It was a process of preparation and precision, leaving little to chance. Former Leinster flanker Kevin McLaughlin remembers the shock of that change clearly. The squad believed they understood the game, only to realise how much they had missed. Schmidt would issue a short document before every match.

Outlining the opposition’s habits, Ireland’s key plays, and the principles that underpinned everything. They were impossible to ignore. They shaped how players thought, trained, and performed, and they defined an era that came painfully close to delivering everything it promised. We had discussed the possibility of my ghost-writing it over coffee one Saturday morning in Wilde & Green.

A busy restaurant in Milltown near where he lived. It was like pushing a heavy door that hadn’t been opened in years… When we met again, a few months later at the same venue, he said he was thinking about writing the book himself, and maybe I could have an input in some way. Jaysus.

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Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake’s decision to join Gloucester at the end of the season has once again highlighted the difficult balancing act facing Welsh rugby. The Welsh Rugby World Cup 2027 Union insists it remains committed to keeping the country’s best players at home, even as two of its most important forwards prepare for a new chapter across the border.

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Both players will leave the Ospreys having come through the Welsh system and established themselves at the highest level. Morgan, the current Wales captain, has been one of the few bright spots during a challenging period for the national side, while hooker Lake has grown into a leader in his own right.

Their departures come at a time when domestic rugby in Wales is already undergoing major change, with plans in place to reduce the number of professional regions from four to three by the Rugby World Cup 2027. In a statement responding to the moves, the WRU stressed that its long-term vision has not altered.

Besides national teams, the best possible chance of success. Central to that ambition, it said, is the desire for Welsh players to remain at the heart of the system.

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Rugby World Cup: Morgan Reflects on Emotional Farewell to Ospreys

The union also moved to reassure players and regions about financial stability during this period of transition. It confirmed that all existing player contracts are guaranteed and said it has written to the regions and the Welsh Rugby World Cup Players Association to underline its commitment to funding new signings. That message is aimed at easing fears that restructuring will weaken the domestic game further in the short term.

Importantly for Welsh supporters, Morgan and Lake will remain eligible for international selection despite playing in England. Wales’ 25-cap rule usually prevents players based abroad from being picked, but both men have already passed that threshold.

When he was the sole Welsh representative on tour. Although he is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, he remains a central figure in Wales’ plans. For Morgan, the move is clearly an emotional one. Leaving the Ospreys means stepping away from the club where he built his entire professional career. He spoke openly about how difficult the decision was, reflecting on the memories.

He has made a long way. From progressing through the pathway to making his debut, captaining the side and forming lasting friendships with teammates and staff, the region has shaped both his career and his character. From Gloucester’s perspective, the signings underline the continuing appeal of the Premiership to elite Welsh players.

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English Clubs Highlight Need for Reform in Welsh Rugby World Cup Final

English clubs can often offer greater financial certainty and a different competitive landscape, factors that inevitably influence career decisions. For the WRU, the Rugby World Cup Final, this reality reinforces the importance of delivering meaningful reform at home, rather than simply expressing disappointment when players leave. Ultimately, the departures of Morgan and Lake should be seen less as a failure of intent.

Besides more of a test of the WRU’s strategy. If the union can successfully reshape the professional game, provide stability for the regions and create a clear pathway for players to return, then moves like these need not be permanent losses. For now, Welsh Rugby World Cup Final must focus on ensuring that its leading figures continue to wear the red jersey with pride.

Where they play their club rugby, while building a system strong enough to persuade the next generation that their future is best served at home. That challenge will not be solved overnight, and patience will be required from supporters, players and administrators alike. Yet moments like this also offer clarity. They underline what is at stake and why reform cannot be delayed or diluted.

If Welsh rugby learns from these departures and responds with courage, coherence and collaboration, it can still turn a difficult chapter into the foundation for a more resilient, competitive and confident future.

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The draw for the football Rugby World Cup 2027 took place on Friday and immediately sparked excitement. About what fans might see at next year’s tournament in North America. Thanks to the way teams are seeded and ranked, the structure of the draw creates a sense of balance. And anticipation that many believe is essential for a major global competition.

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Under FIFA’s system, the top two teams in the world, Spain and Argentina, can only meet in the final. But only if they win all of their matches along the way. This is not a coincidence. It is a deliberate design choice that ensures the best acting teams are rewarded for their consistency and finesse over time. In addition, if the top four teams, Spain, Argentina, England and France, all grow as likely. They can only face each other in the semi-finals. By spreading elite teams across the bracket.

FIFA maximises the chances of seeing the biggest and most compelling matches at the business end of the competition, where they belong. Fans, broadcasters and sponsors all benefit, and the tournament builds naturally towards a dramatic climax.

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Rugby World Cup Draw Sparks Criticism

Earlier this week, however, the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia highlighted a very different tactic and one that has attracted heavy criticism. In that draw, world number two New Zealand were placed in Pool A, while world number one and defending champs South Africa were drawn into Pool B. As a result, the two top-ranked teams are set to meet as early as the quarter-finals.

Unsurprisingly, this has caused frustration across the Rugby World Cup. Former South Africa captain Corne Krige went as far as calling the draw rigged, suggesting it unfairly pits the strongest Southern Hemisphere teams against each other long before the final stages. While such claims may be exaggerated, the anger reflects a genuine concern about how World Rugby structures its tournaments.

Another major issue is timing. The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw has taken place more than two years before the tournament itself, leaving plenty of room for rankings, form and team strength to change dramatically. While this is an improvement on the 2023 World Cup draw, which was conducted a staggering three years in advance, it still feels unnecessarily early.

The flaws of the 2023 draw are well documented. By the time the tournament began, the top four teams in the world, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and France were all on the same side of the bracket.

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A Case for Reforming the Rugby World Cup Final Draw

This meant that by the semi-final stage, Ireland and France had already been knocked out, depriving fans of potentially iconic late-stage clashes. While the matches themselves were thrilling, many felt the overall structure undermined the competition. The Rugby World Cup Final could learn valuable lessons from FIFA when it comes to organising tournament draws.

FIFA’s system ensures that top-ranked teams are placed on opposite sides of the bracket, reducing the chances of elite nations eliminating each other too early. This does not remove unpredictability; upsets still happen, but it does provide a fairer and more logical framework. By rewarding rankings and long-term performance.

FIFA creates a pathway where the strongest teams are more likely to meet in semi-finals and finals, rather than being sacrificed in quarter-finals due to poor planning. Adopting a similar system in rugby would help maintain competitive balance while still allowing room for surprise results and underdog stories. Ultimately, sport thrives on drama, tension and unpredictability.

Then that unpredictability should come from what happens on the field, not from a flawed draw. The criticism surrounding the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final highlights the risks of an unstructured approach that can distort a tournament before it even begins.

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