England

All Blacks struggle to win over Georgia

The All Blacks scored four first-half tries and led 22-10 at the break.

But Steve Hansen won't be happy with his team's performance as they made far too many errors.

Our rugby reporter says while the All Blacks had the vast majority of the ball they were generally unable to break the Georgian defence, while their handling let them down.

Stuart Lancaster focused on Australia

But he said if England failed to get out of the group stages the "accountability lies with me".

England's 28-25 defeat by Wales on Saturday left his team third in Pool A.

They now face the prospect of becoming the first host nation not to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup if they are beaten by the Wallabies.

VIDEO: 2015 Rugby World Cup daily roundup

And the fallout from the hosts' crushing late loss at the weekend continues.

Former England captain Will Carling aimed his cricitism at Stuart Lancaster's methods, suggesting his players are treated like 'schoolboys'.

England united by criticism - Martin Corry

Carling said England lacked leadership and the players were treated "like schoolboys", prompting scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth to hit back. 

England may struggle to reach the last eight if they fail to beat Australia.

"They sound really angry and that's the reaction you want," said Corry.

Victor Matfied welcomes England's Nick Easter to World Cup senior service

The arrival of England’s Nick Easter as a replacement for the injured Billy Vunipola on Monday means there are now 21 players aged 35 and over at the tournament, vastly outnumbering the tally of those relative babies who are still short of their 21st birthday.

Schmidt has two 35-year-olds in his squad: Paul O’Connell, competing at his fourth World Cup, and Mike Ross.

VIDEO: Rugby World Cup 2015 - Daily round-up

The pool also involves Australia and Wales.

England are seeking to secure their first world title since 2003.

Check video for the opening day preview.

 

David Beckham is bitten by the acting bug

Guy Ritchie has taken the former Manchester United and England captain under his wing and has already cast him in two of his films.

And it looks like Beckham has been bitten by the acting bug.

Beckham told The Times: "I am very aware that many sportsmen and other celebrities have turned their hand to acting and failed."

He added: "I know that it is a tough profession, where you need a huge amount of skill and discipline, and I wouldn't want to push myself forward too soon, without learning more about it, and doing a lot more practice."

Vanuatu Cricket finalise Squad for WCL Division Six

Eight teams will be participating in the tournament — Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Botswana, Fiji, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Suriname and Vanuatu.

The 14 man Digicel Vanuatu Squad is as follows:

1. Andrew Mansale (Captain)

2. Jonathon Dunn

3. Jelany Chilia

4. Trevor Langa

5. Patrick Matautaava

6. Nalin Nipiko

7. Simpson Hopeman Obed

8. Joshua Rasu

9. Apolinaire Liplip Stephen

10. Kenny Tari

11. Niko Unavalu

12. Ronald Tari

13. Wolford Kalworai

14. Callum Blake

England set up Australia meeting

The world number three side eased to their third win of the group stage on Sunday to set up a meeting with holders and hosts Australia in the next round.

England were expected to avoid the Commonwealth champions but the Diamonds fell to a shock 52-47 defeat by New Zealand to finish second in Pool A.

Meanwhile, Wales made it two wins from two games with a 71-44 victory over Zambia in Pool D.

Elsewhere, Malawi beat Singapore 75-31 to finish top of Pool C, while Trinidad and Tobago won 55-39 against Barbados in Pool A.

England 2015 begin final testing of venues for Rugby World Cup

They begun Sunday at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, which is due to stage eight matches, including two quarter-finals, where Wales were beaten 35-21 in a warm-up match against Ireland. 

The next test will come when England host France at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (August 15). 

The third test is scheduled for August 29 at the Olympic Stadium on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London during Barbarians’ clash with Samoa ahead of four taking place on September 5.