Rugby

Ireland rugby was Brian O'Driscoll in 2008. By then, he was a test player for nine years, captain for five years, and the British and Irish Lions skipper to boot. He was BOD.

South 3, North 1. Talk of a potential shift in the balance of power in world rugby toward the northern hemisphere might have been premature.

PARIS (AP) — The Springboks were at their most stubborn to wreck France's dream at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday.

PARIS (AP) — France's star backs were supposed to lead the tournament favorite past defending champion South Africa and into the Rugby World Cup semifinals. They flopped as South Africa won 29-28 in a cliffhanger on Sunday.

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — The lead was 14 points, the Rugby World Cup semifinals were in sight and there was a celebratory feel to England fans’ booming rendition of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” that swirled around Stade Velodrome with a little over 20

PARIS (AP) — Antoine Dupont sank to one knee and covered his face with a hand as the crushing disappointment of France's Rugby World Cup exit in the quarterfinals sank in.

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Fiji's players were strewn across the field, some with their heads in their hands and others in tears. One player had his face buried in a seat in the dugout.

PARIS (AP) — After Ireland flew south and ransacked New Zealand last year for a monumental series win, the All Blacks pored over video to find out what went wrong.

PARIS (AP) — This was the Ireland team that was finally going to go all the way at the Rugby World Cup.

PARIS (AP) — New Zealand was thought to have showed too much razzle-dazzle and met not enough resistance to seriously trouble top-ranked Ireland going into their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.