World Rugby's candid admission: match officials weren't up to scratch on opening weekend
Contributors
Liam Heagney
A seasoned rugby journalist, Liam hails from Limerick and has covered World Cups, Lions tours, Six Nations Championships and European Cup campaigns since 2000. He became a content editor at RugbyPass in 2019 after joining from the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday in Ireland.
Ireland make 12 changes to their team to face Wales
'It's not the lowest point because you're representing your country at a World Cup' - Tom Wood on England 2015, Lewis Ludlum and his born-again Saints
'How they seem to be playing down the importance of the backstop is just incredulous...' - Brian O'Driscoll on Brexit fears, Ireland's form and Japan hosting RWC
Ireland player ratings vs Wales
'I'm not really disappointed... I'm positive' - Taqele Naiyaravoro on RWC misfortune, his Fijian heritage and life at Northampton
Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi insisted he hasn't cheated... but B sample result hasn't backed him up
Another week, another law tweak by World Rugby
Heaslip keeping the faith: 'This team since the last World Cup is probably the best Irish squad ever assembled'
'There is a large element of fear involved...' - James Haskell on his switch from rugby to MMA
Ireland make 11 changes to their team to face Wales
'I didn't know it was coming... my first reaction was to scream' - John Cooney on his Ireland axe
'I've made sure I booked my flight for the Monday after the final in case the All Blacks do it'
'I can't tell you what I'm going to be doing post this World Cup from 8-to-5 as a job... nothing is set in stone'
Ireland tipped to make 11 changes for Wales and hand Peter O'Mahony a different back row role
An English Championship side has left a World Cup team's preparations in tatters
Brian O'Driscoll has a World Cup remedy to fix Joe Schmidt's struggling Ireland midfield
'I'm now banned from going all-inclusive...' - Gloucester's Fraser Balmain on holidays, Danny Cipriani and World Rugby's latest scrum tweak
'I read social media posts saying stuff like I should never wear a rugby shirt again - it's all bollocks'
Ireland player ratings vs England
Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi tests positive for banned substance
Ireland make 12 changes to their team to face England
Less is more for PRO14 as they opt for a lower capacity ground for their 2020 final
France will appeal Paul Gabrillagues' six-week ban
Player welfare protocol means Lewis Ludlam can't play for England this Saturday
Leinster's Ross Byrne in line for first Test start as Ireland set to make multiple changes for Twickenham
France make four changes for Scotland rematch
It's a TMO's paradise... 34 different cameras will cover the RWC semi-finals and final
Eighteen months after his last cap, France turn to Fijian Virimi Vakatawa
'There is a bit of a misnomer that rugby is looking for bigger, heavier players'
Danny Cipriani breaks his silence over England World Cup selection snub
Wales' Dan Biggar hits back at critic in live post-match TV interview
Christian Wade has done it again, lighting up the NFL with Buffalo
Tom Varndell signs for Yorkshire and not everyone's happy about it
The stats that highlight how really coveted Fijians players are by elite European clubs
'I may have taken refuge in alcohol... it was not the right solution'
Expect just two scrum-halves to make Joe Schmidt's final Ireland 31 for RWC
Two new caps in France team to face Scotland
Six months after demanding it open, Eddie Jones now wants the Principality roof closed
Three more cut as Ireland name squad for warm-weather camp in Portugal
Meaningless friendlies debate not restricted to Test level as Racing 92 suffer huge injury blow
Rory Best's reason for not singing the Ireland national anthem isn't what you would expect
It's all change bar one as O'Shea's Italy take on Russia
'Surprised and disappointed' - Richmond issue statement on RFU's Yorkshire decision
England name official 31-man Rugby World Cup squad
How England's Jamie George and the Irishman skippering English cricket became drinking buddies
'Does Eddie support England or Australia in the Ashes... who actually knows?'
'There's moments I'd change - a moment of time I'd love to have made a different decision'
'If you start thinking not getting injured, not doing that, then that is when you tend to get injured'
'As soon as you step outside, you're absolutely dripping with sweat... you're constantly feeling incredibly hot'
'RWC is the dream of every rugby player and it's not easy having to say goodbye'
John Mitchell refuses to say it's all over for Danny Cipriani's World Cup hopes
Last weekend's testimonial for ex-Wales international Paul James marred by dressing room theft
Theft of ex-Wales prop's testimonial jersey has a happy ending
England reveal how long Brad Shields will be sidelined for... and it's not encouraging
New important date set for financially stricken Yorkshire after RFU stay of execution
Cruden's revised contract situation at Montpellier opens door to Super Rugby return
Paddy Jackson offline as other London Irish signings such as Naholo help drive ticket sales
Mike Ford has had his role at Leicester revised
Russia cancel World Cup warm-up away to Georgia due to safety issues
A dollar for Israel Folau's thoughts as Australia prepare to play their first Test since his sacking
England's squad have been bonding over Love Island, but the show is now taking an Irish rugby twist
'People have this stereotype that Bristol is a big club with bottomless amounts of cash... but we're camping in Cornwall for a weekend'
Rugby World Cup Depth Chart - Scotland
Rugby World Cup Depth Chart - Ireland
Heyneke Meyer: 'I am not a dictator'
'I'd jokingly prefer to look back at 40 having gotten the sack and going, at least I gave coaching a try'
The strained relationship that led to Sergio Parisse's split with his beloved Stade Francais
'It's nice to know we're not a walk in the park anymore... we're now ready to win at Munster'
'It would be great for the country, for the club, for Italian rugby,' claims history-chasing Crowley
'It's that whole resilience and ability to get up and go again... the past is eaten bread'
'Your family suffer because they can see you're distraught after a game... Sunday morning comes around and you're still grumpy, still edgy'
'On his deathbed his words were: Get your f***ing arse on the plane because I want to see you playing against Scotland'
'I'm under no illusions... the hard work has to come first and you have to stay in the moment'
'If you haven't seen women's rugby and you don't actually know about it, that is annoying'
Paddy Jackson and the Galway question
'Everyone is ready to put the hard work in to get Wasps back to where we want to be'
'It's rugby's biggest downfall' - Ellis Genge believes rugby can learn from football's open-minded recruitment
'The gangs and the prison really interests me... because of my history and experiences of mistakes and doing things wrong'
'I have been very lucky to have been thrown right in at the deep end... I really enjoyed it'
'Rugby's unbelievable... I have done things I only thought were possible in movies'
Ireland's RWC training squad winners and losers
'My mum's Welsh, dad's Irish and I moved to England five years ago so there is a twist... it's a tough one'
'I'm upset lots of players have to hide their sexuality for years before they retire... I want everyone to be themselves'
'It's a bit of a weird one having to play Northampton again... there will be a bit of chess here and there'
Rob Kearney the latest victim of an IRFU 'lowball'
Leinster have used eye-watering 57 players to reach the PRO14 final
It was a taboo. It wasn't a case of just going, 'I'm not alright, I need some help mentally'. Now we have the confidence to say, 'No, I'm not alright'
'You get stars that get all the attention, but I'm more than happy to just plug along, keep the head down and still succeed'
'It's frustrating when Saracens are talked about negatively... but you just have to take the rough with the smooth at the top'
Marcelo Bosch going from chasing a European/Premiership double... to level five rugby in England
'If you're over the ball and have two blokes over 100 kilos flying into you off their feet, it can be pretty difficult to survive'
'It's so outrageous how things have gone' - Jake Woolmore's journey from teaching kids with learning difficulties to playing in the Premiership
'Getting on that World Cup plane would be pretty amazing... but I have a lot of catching up to do'
James Wilson is another Kiwi at Bath with his bags packed for Japan
'It's probably the hardest thing I've had to do in life' - Sam Simmonds on his 30-week injury rehab
'There was a bit of bitchiness in camp, it was a pretty bad place to be' - Callum Sheedy on Bristol before Lam
'If we go down, our nearest club is in Manchester... that's three hours on a train, a long way to go to watch Premiership rugby'
Faletau's comeback plan waiting on midweek scan result
Family rivalry on the cards as Johnny Sexton's brother set for PRO14 move
'We couldn't believe he put the boots on and ran out there' - Luke Morahan on Siale Piutau's sacrifice
It's insanity that a club of Munster's pedigree has lost so many successive European semi-finals
How a catalogue of red flags are mounting against van Graan despite thrashing of Ulster
Leinster vs Toulouse - Composite XV
Anglo-French fixture is what hesitant Toby Flood tips Newcastle to host in Champions Cup final
'There's always a risk in moving anywhere... that stuff (with Saracens) is in the background at the moment'
'I have probably got a little bit of gyp about being gay or something like that'
Elite coaching is increasingly no country for old men, but 68-year-old Alan Solomons is bucking that trend
'We have never not thought about being in the Premiership... but we haven't reached our extreme potential'
'It was like someone was stabbing me in the back of the heel... I'd sit down for two minutes and limp around to get moving again'
'I wanted to be away from everyone, wanted to withdraw from the club' - Ashley Johnson's drugs ban battle
A rare All Blacks jersey has been sold for an exceptional price in Cardiff
'I get a lot of questions on how life on this side of the world is' - Wasps' Lima Sopoaga on his chats with former Kiwi teammates
Famed 1905 All Blacks 'Originals' jersey has eye-watering guide price for Cardiff auction
'As a kid it sometimes takes a landmark event like the 2003 World Cup win to get you involved'
Debate over Crusaders name change is example of opportunistic political correctness gone mad
Incensed Steve Diamond gets asked about biting incident live on air and he didn't pull his punches
'We've unearthed talent and had great Test window points haul'... Brad Barritt shrugs off Saracens' salary cap row
'I'm certainly not giving up'... four years in Test wilderness haven't stopped Ben Morgan believing
Post-Six Nations - Which 31 players make Ireland's plane to the Rugby World Cup in Japan?
Toulon could turn to an Irishman to help rev up 'The Bus'
Six Nations 2019 a bruising experience where only 32 of 169 players started five matches
Ireland Player Ratings - versus Wales
'These two Kiwis have massively broken the mould,' says Jim Hamilton as he savours their Six Nations finale
How a battle with childhood dyslexia helped forge Chris Robshaw's England captaincy
'At the moment it's quite bleak' - Three player deaths and damaging defeats leave French rugby under a dark cloud
'We've a quirky handshake that is only for us Bristol players... it's special'
Pre-match analysis - Ireland vs France
Brown lays out targets after England axe
Unbeaten Treviso shake-up PRO14 during league's block of Six Nations fixtures
'Unfortunately people lose jobs when teams get relegated... that's the harsh reality of professional sport'
'There were tears... it wasn't the way I wanted to leave Munster'
'I expected a bit more angry Steve Diamond... but he was really calm'
'I felt like a normal human but I wasn't allowed to do anything for two months' - Jono Lance's back fracture ordeal
'We have currently 11 of 12 clubs about to lose money for the third year running...it's a broken model'
Autopsy of Irish Rugby's February nightmare
Ireland player ratings - versus Italy
'We're disconsolate, disillusioned, disappointed after a defeat... but don't do this job if it's not hurting'
The 206-second attack that has turned Geography Six outcast Cory Hill into a household name
Scotland player ratings - versus France
Pre-match analysis - Italy vs Ireland
Forty-nine players, six debutants, 301 points, 31 tries and 109 years - standing on the edge of history
Ex-Ireland coach spends day watching England get ready to take on Wales
Expat Six Nations players bear the brunt as clubs called the shots this weekend
'We actually have to start getting some wins' - what life's like in the Premiership dogfight
'I wasn't aware. I knew there was something going on'
'If we're trying to attract people to rugby, surely providing stats that we know are impactful is the way forward'
Fardy could be the next forward to leave Leinster
'PRO14 - not Super Rugby - is best competition for South African teams to play in'
Rating assistant coaches - early-term Six Nations report cards
Scotland player ratings - versus Ireland
Ireland player ratings - versus Scotland
From the fringes to centre stage, the South African import now crucial to Ireland's Six Nations
CJ Stander was good, but Billy V was better
Struggling Biarritz ready to swoop for out-of-favour Munster pair
France's bizarre campaign takes another twist as call-up is away on holiday
FFR confident Noves won't win the enormous sum he's demanding in damages following sacking
Injury-free Coetzee repays Ulster's patience by singing on for another three years
England hero Slade cashing in with personalised video messages
Ireland must turn screw in Scottish heads to avoid post-Six Nations repercussions
O'Brien poised for first Six Nations start in two years as Stander ruled out until March
Brunel's bungling reaches a new low with Vahaamahina's bizarre revelation
'When the Russian anthem was played, you couldn't hear a note. That's how hostile the crowd was.'
Ireland player ratings - versus England
'The pain was almost like a ripping across my abdomen. I'd no idea what was going on'
Henshaw could make shock positional switch for England match
The 'new model' athletes fresh off Leinster's academy production line set to stalk the PRO14
'I will not repeat it' - Zebo reflects on 'unacceptable' racism
Discarded - the sobering Six Nations' 4-year attrition rate laid bare
Rugby union civil war brewing as PRO14's European dominion returns?
Jonny Sexton's 6'5, 118kg little brother and 52 other Irish exports playing pro-rugby in Europe
Cian Kelleher's massive, potentially career defining gamble
'I do not know what happened to me that day. I'm not a bad guy'
How the Irish rumour mill inevitably followed Grobler to Gloucester
Seventeen years after it was scrapped, Leinster tightening grip on unofficial 'third title'
'He is a player who has an aura in the group' - Brive coach gives fascinating insight into Fiji star
How a beaten Ireland U20s side produced three All Black killers in just two years
Steffon Armitage on the move and England international set to join him in France
Sexton snubbed by Midi Olympique's 'Team of the Year' XV
With attendances of just 3,000, London Irish's latest big play simply must pay off
Tom Varndell has walked out of French rugby
Trouble at the Thomond turnstiles? The startling drop off in numbers at Munster matches laid bare
'You need Santa, Jesus and a winning lottery ticket to fix that mess'
The truth about coaching turnover in the rugby union
Ulster are paying a heavy price at the turnstile for their nightmarish year off the pitch
Within 12 months Ireland could lose one of the chief unsung architects of its success
The true extent of England players' workload this season compared to Ireland's laid bare
The inherent risk of Andy Farrell
Fiji need more matches against Tier 1 sides if their story is to change
Paddy Jackson's move to France could be about to pay off big style - reports
The warning from history this Ireland side can't ignore going into a World Cup year
'It wasn’t unusual for someone to roll down the window and flick the finger at you and laugh'
Thirteen years after he endured an All Black hammering on debut, Rory Best has given his detractors the proverbial fingers
After 26 different combinations, this is Ireland's last area of positional uncertainty under Schmidt
How Ireland and not the All Blacks dominate one of the game's most fiercely contested battlegrounds - discipline
'Good players take bad passes... I remember the whole room going quiet because I said it to Drico'
The eight players left on Irish Rugby's 'central contract' hit list and how the IRFU plan to pay for them
Simon Zebo has become impossible for Schmidt to ignore
After a six month lay off and over 20 operations, can Sean O'Brien still be trusted to be Ireland's missing link?
The keys to Leinster's success and why the rest of Europe should be worried
How Andy Farrell's defensive system has become the elephant in Ireland's World Cup room