Rugby

PARIS (AP) — Ireland stopped speculation about team injuries and wasted no time revealing its confidence heading toward the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand by naming its team a day early on Wednesday. Top-ranked Ireland is unchanged.

PARIS (AP) — One of the surprises of the Rugby World Cup pool stage was the only team not to concede a yellow or red card: South Africa.

PARIS (AP) — Aaron Smith made his New Zealand test debut against Ireland in 2012. The Irish were his first three tests, including his first test try. That year was the last the All Blacks ever felt comfortable facing Ireland.

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — First-choice flyhalf Dan Biggar has recovered from a pectoral strain to be available for Wales' Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina on Saturday. Biggar was hurt early against Australia more than two weeks ago.

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — A torn right hamstring has ruled out Argentina flanker Pablo Matera from the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against Wales on Saturday in Marseille.

PARIS (AP) — France captain Antoine Dupont was a step closer to playing again at the Rugby World Cup after being cleared to resume full training on Monday.

DUBLIN (AP) — Rugby will use mouthguard technology as part of its efforts to detect brain injuries suffered by players on the field.

The absurdity of the decision to stage the draw for the pool stage of the Rugby World Cup three years out from the tournament will really hit home this week.

TOULOUSE, France (AP) — Portugal will be by far the happiest of the teams going home early from the Rugby World Cup.

PARIS (AP) — Argentina and Fiji completed the quarterfinal lineup at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday. Argentina went through the front door, Fiji came through the back.