Ireland’s forwards do not expect Tonga’s pack to be a pushover when the two sides meet in their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash on Saturday, with the Tongans raring to go after a bye in the first weekend of games.

Romania know they are outgunned but believe they will be able to take much from their meeting with world champions South Africa in a Rugby World Cup Pool B clash in Bordeaux on Sunday as coach Eugen Apjok relishes another fixture against a tier 1 nation.

Japan have beefed up their forward pack and picked centre Tomoki Osada among the backs to face England in their second Rugby World Cup Pool D fixture at the Stade de Nice on Sunday.

Wales flyhalf Gareth Anscombe missed the 2019 Rugby World Cup though injury and almost suffered the same fate again four years on, but will start in Saturday’s Pool C fixture against Portugal having missed all his side’s warm-up games.

England coach Steve Borthwick has kept the same backline for Sunday’s World Cup clash with Japan but brought in Lewis Ludlum to replace suspended flanker Tom Curry and changed both props as Kyle Sinckler and Joe Marler start.

Vodafone Fijiana XV’s head coach, Inoke Male, has made eight changes to the lineup for their second test match against Japan.

All Black Richie Mo’ounga’s nephew and Fiji U20 flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and outside back Epeli Waqaicece have been selected to join the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team for the upcoming 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season.

Jeronimo Portela will follow in his father’s footsteps and play in the Rugby World Cup after being named at flyhalf by coach Patrice Lagisquet for Portugal’s Pool C fixture against Wales at Stade de Nice on Saturday.

Australia Open men’s touch rugby coach Tony Trad says even though the Fijian team plays with natural flair, they will need to understand the basics of the game.

The Wallabies front-row stocks to face Fiji have taken a hit with key strike weapon Taniela Tupou under an injury cloud ahead of their crucial Rugby World Cup pool match in Saint-Etienne.

New Zealand international Julian Savea will play for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby next year after a “brutal” departure from the Wellington Hurricanes.

The Fiji Rugby Union has added another sponsor to its vuvale with Marsh joining as an insurance partner.