When Italy line up to face Uruguay on Wednesday, and the national anthem rings out around the Stade de Nice, the opening words will have a special meaning for four members of the team.

Addressing concerns raised by the Fijian workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme is progressing through the collaborative effort of the Fijian and Australian governments.

Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong agrees they have an economy which is very emissions intensive and this must be turned around.

South Africa will not rule out a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on their bench for the highly anticipated World Cup clash with Ireland, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said as he confirmed flyhalf Handre Pollard will not play.

According to provisional data released by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, our shores welcomed 87,368 visitors last month.

Uruguay have made two changes to their side for their second Rugby World Cup Pool A clash against Italy in Nice on Wednesday, largely sticking to the team that won praise following a brave performance in their opener against France.

Namibia centre Le Roux Malan said the ankle fracture and dislocation he suffered during their 71-3 loss to New Zealand at the World Cup was not as bad as initially feared but will still sideline him for up to six months.

All Blacks prop Ethan De Groot has been banned for New Zealand’s last two World Cup pool matches after failing to convince the judiciary that his foul play in last week’s win over Namibia did not meet the red card threshold.

Italy bring in Lorenzo Pani, Alessandro Garbisi, Niccolo Cannone and Marco Riccioni for the Rugby World Cup Pool A clash against Uruguay at the Stade de Nice on Thursday, making four changes from their opening 52-8 win over Namibia.

Playing in a World Cup is the pinnacle for any rugby player but the quadrennial showpiece tournament has an even deeper significance for Romania centre Taylor Gontineac.

Fiji’s plea to rugby powerhouses persists, urging them to grant our team more high-level international test matches beyond the Rugby World Cup.

“Cheer at the top of your lungs so I can hear you from France.”