Rugby World Cup

   

Stuart Lancaster says he will consider his future as England coach after the host nation were eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage. (Sunday Telegraph)  However the Rugby Football Union will be reluctant to make a hasty decision on Lancaster's fate. (Observer) 
World Cup-winning England scrum-half Matt Dawson says Lancaster must go. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required) 
Former England flanker Neil Back says Lancaster should remain in charge, but says he is "not sure the World Cup can recover" from having its hosts dumped out at such an early stage. (Independent on Sunday) 

Elimination from their own tournament must go down as the worst day in England's rugby history, says ex-England fly-half Stuart Barnes. (Sunday Times - subscription required) 
Former England number 8 Lawrence Dallaglio believes Ireland are good enough to win the World Cup. (Sunday Times - subscription required) 
Hooker Rory Best says Ireland will be "steamrollered" if they are not prepared for the physical challenge of facing Italy. (Observer) 
Scotland coach Vern Cotter has a cunning plan to soften up Samoa before their crunch match in Pool B - buy their manager two crates of beer. (Sunday Mirror) 


Classical singer Camilla Kerslake - England captain Chris Robshaw's partner - says she has been abused in the street in the aftermath of the World Cup hosts' defeat by Wales. (Sun) 
Australia centre Israel Folau believes his years of experience in Grand Finals, State of Origin matches and rugby league World Cups will help him cope with the pressure of playing England at Twickenham. (Sydney Morning Herald) 

Israel Folau
Israel Folau in relaxed mood during a swimming session at the University of Bath
Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins is tipping Dan Biggar to soon challenge the likes of New Zealand legend Dan Carter as the best No 10 in the world, after landing 13 out of 13 kicks so far at the World Cup. (Mail) 
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt says he will be happy even if Ireland scrape a narrow and unconvincing win against Italy on Sunday because the Azzurri are "fighting for their lives". (Guardian) 
Georgia coach Milton Haig believes his team's performance in the 43-10 defeat by world champions New Zealand on Friday is proof they deserve to be added to the Six Nations. (Sport 24) 
New Zealand selector Grant Fox was frustrated by some elements of the performance against Georgia, but urged fans to "keep calm" after hearing of growing anxiety at home about whether the All Blacks can successfully retain their title. (New Zealand Herald) 
Scotland prop Gordon Reid says hearing Flower of Scotland before Saturday's match against South Africa will give him a "buzz" and extra "fire". (Record) 


Sir Clive Woodward is confident England can beat Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, claiming Michael Cheika's side are "not the brightest team". (ESPN) 
England outside-half Danny Cipriani has invited unwanted attention on to England on the eve of their critical clash with Australia by declaring that not a single Wallaby would be good enough to be selected in Stuart Lancaster's team. (Paddy Power) 
With the pressure mounting ahead of England's must-win clash against Australia, England captain has turned to his dog, Rico, for comfort. (Telegraph) 
England's elimination from the Rugby World Cup could knock billions off the value of the UK stock market in a single day, according to one leading expert. (London Evening Standard) 
Richie McCaw
The New Zealand squad enjoyed a round of crazy golf in Cardiff before their clash with Georgia on Friday night
Former Australia international Lote Tuqiri believes England centre Sam Burgess has been harshly treated and is hoping the Wallabies don't feel the backlash in Saturday's match at Twickenham. (Sydney Morning Herald) 
The New Zealand Herald has formulated a list of the hardest men in rugby union, with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw coming out on top. South Africa's Schalk Burger is second, with Wales' Alun Wyn Jones fourth. (New Zealand Herald) 

Former England scrum-half Austin Healey has said England must harness their fury at all the negativity from former players, coaches and the media and hit the Wallabies hard. (Telegraph) 
New Zealand have asked for the windows at their city centre hotel in Cardiff to be soundproofed after being kept awake on Saturday evening by boisterous Wales supporters. (Guardian) 
Injured Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has said he wanted to watch Wales' clash with England at Twickenham but the pain in his knee two weeks after surgery was "still a bit too much". (Wales Online) 
England outside-half Owen Farrell has vowed to fight to protect Stuart Lancaster's tenure and keep England's World Cup dream alive. (Mail)