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Predictions take 2… a? As the ’rounds’ start to mesh in with each other, we’re going to have to break up our week into two parts, so here are the mid-week matches from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Before we get into it, a quick review of what happened last round. …

Phil Davies has named Namibia’s team for their opening World Cup fixtures against New Zealand on Thursday. The Welwitschias will ride a four-test win streak into the tournament, including two convincing wins over Russia in Windhoek during July. The lineup appears to be largely first choice, with Cheetahs hooker Torsten …

New Zealand Head Coach Steve Hanson has rung the changes with only three players named to start against Namibia who also did so against Argentina on Sunday. Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea and Sam Whitelock are those retained with Richie McCaw’s replacement Sam Cane also taking over the captaincy. So strong …

The governing body of the sport of rugby, World Rugby is expected to confirm that Japan will remain the host nation of Rugby World Cup 2019. The Asian country had come under fire from World Rugby after construction of the new national stadium was cancelled. According to L’Equipe Japan will …

Hat-trick hero Cory Allen will take no further part in the World Cup. The news will come as yet another hammer blow to Wales, already short of Jonathan Davies in the midfield and trio Rhys Webb, Leigh Halfpenny, and Eli Walker ruled out before the tournament. Allen tore a hamstring …

Eddie Jones has freshened up his side with six changes to the starting side that stunned the world with a victory over the Springboks on Saturday. Despite the changes, the side has not lost any strength and if anything is perhaps a bit stronger. Rotation in the tight five sees …

Romania will make their World Cup entrance on Wednesday against France at the Olympic Stadium. Head coach Lynn Howells has selected his strongest possible side for the Pool D match-up, making only one change to the run-on side that faced Tonga in the final warm-up match in Bucharest earlier this …

Vern Cotter has named his first Scottish team of the World Cup for what promises to be an enormously interesting game at Kingsholm on Wednesday with giant-killers Japan lined up as opponents. Cotter has taken no chances and named a very strong lineup to face the Brave Blossoms. Grant Gilchrist …

John McKee has offered his team a vote of confidence ahead of their match against Australia on Wednesday, making only four changes to the side that never quite got going against England on Friday. The changes all come up front, with one enforced after Dominiko Waqaniburotu was suspended for a …

French Head Coach Phillipe Saint-André has made thirteen changes to his team that faced Italy on Saturday. Only no8 Louis Picamoles and left winger Noa Nakaitaci remain from the side which sees veteran hooker Dimitri Szarzewski named as captain. Szarzewski will join the Belgium born Vincent Debaty and New Zealand …