The players to watch, the teams to back and how to tell a ruck from a scrum as the tournament kicks off in France
Rugby is people with big muscles and tight shorts smashing into each other, right?more nuanced contest of skill, strength and tactical cunning. And people with big muscles smashing into each other, but 15-a-side.France, the hosts, kick off against New Zealand in Paris on Friday. Saint-Étienne, Bordeaux, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille, Lyon, Nice and Nantes will all host matches and the final is on 28 October, back at the Stade de France, after seven punishing weeks .
Players can carry and kick the ball forwards, but are only permitted to pass backwards. You get five points for touching the ball down on or behind the opponent’s try-line, two for a conversion , and three for a penalty or drop goal. The inaugural World Cup in 1987 in New Zealand was a slightly more low-key event than the modern-day behemoth.It’s wide open, with several teams capable of going all the way. New Zealand won the first one in 1987 and back-to-back trophies in 2011 and 2015. South Africa triumphed in 1995, 2007 and 2019. Australia won it in 1991 and 1999, but they are far from favourites this year. England are the only northern hemisphere side to win a World Cup, back in 2003.
Average player weights at men’s Rugby World Cups since 1991 show a rapid increase in the mid 90s, plateauing after 2010Not quite. They made the final last time, where they were soundly beaten by South Africa. England’s head coach at the time, Eddie Jones, was jettisoned by the Rugby Football Union last December and Steve Borthwick took over with limited time to prepare.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Everything you need to know about the Rugby World CupThe tournament opener is just days away, so who are the favourites and will the Wallabies make it out of the group stage?
Read more »
Everything you need to know about the Rugby World CupThe tournament opener is just days away, so who are the favourites and will the Wallabies make it out of the group stage?
Read more »
Everything you need to know about the Rugby World CupThe tournament opener is just days away, so who are the favourites and will the Wallabies make it out of the group stage?
Read more »
NRL 2023: Newcastle Knights, player departures NRL, rugby league news, Shane Flanagan, Dom YoungFlanagan’s Dragons cull begins as Knights farewell ten players: NRL Offseason Central
Read more »
'They all have belief': Wallabies legend tips Australia to shock at Rugby World CupWhile the Wallabies' hopes of glory have been dismissed by many, three-time World Cup player Will Genia says the Australians have the ingredients for success.
Read more »
Rugby World Cup: hosts France set to face All Blacks without Jonathan DantyFrance will kick off the World Cup against New Zealand on Friday without their influential midfielder Jonathan Danty
Read more »