Rugby

MARSEILLE, France — In the small hours of Monday morning, the rugby-mad people of Fiji will head into the city or take a boat to the local village and gather around a television set showing one of the biggest sporting occasions in the republic’s hist

PARIS (AP) — After fearing a broken cheekbone ended his Rugby World Cup campaign, France captain Antoine Dupont reassured anxious supporters of the title-chasing tournament host on Friday: "I'm at the top of my game.

PARIS (AP) — The weight of history on their backs. The might of New Zealand facing them. A home crowd behind them.

SYDNEY (AP) — Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones says he is “committed to Australia" amid numerous reports that he is planning to quit and take up the Japan rugby job for a second time. Jones said he plans to hold a media conference on Monday.

MARSEILLE, France — Every team came to the Rugby World Cup with a lofty goal. Some were overly ambitious — Australia. Some wanted respect — Italy. Some wanted to say they're here — Chile. Every team stated they wanted to win one game at least.

PARIS (AP) — ‘French flair’ is one of rugby's most overused phrases. It's back in fashion, though, thanks in part to the winger son of a former France flyhalf who is closing fast and furiously on one of the national team's oldest records.

England coach Steve Borthwick has built a reputation for being meticulous, someone who — in the words of his predecessor Eddie Jones — would be “hunched over his laptop for hour after hour.

Every Rugby World Cup springs the same issue. Tier two coaches pleading for more games with tier one teams to become more competitive, to try and level a lopsided playing field.

Sacrifice and camaraderie have been the guiding principles for Fiji’s players in their bid to make history at the Rugby World Cup.

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France (AP) — To reach the Rugby World Cup semifinals, England’s players will have to make themselves more unpopular than they already are. They’ve no problem with that.