England

England’s true believers not fazed by greatest test yet

New Zealand are attempting to make history by winning a third successive Rugby World Cup title, but Jones sees Saturday's semi-final clash in Yokohama as an opportunity for England to cause a major upset.

He believes the talent that convinced him to take the job is starting to shine, as the 40-16 last-eight win over Australia proved.

"I saw a team that could be great and that was the challenge, and they are starting to believe it," Jones said.

Stars aligning for England ahead of ABs clash, says Woodward

Two tries in three first-half minutes by winger Jonny May helped Eddie Jones' side underline their World Cup credentials and gain a measure of revenge over the Wallabies who sent them packing from their own tournament four years ago.

Despite facing a daunting task against the All Blacks, who also advanced with a 46-14 demolition of Ireland, Woodward believes England can pull off an upset win when the teams meet on October 26.

"Never underestimate the value of momentum," Woodward, who led England to World Cup glory in 2003, wrote in a column for the Daily Mail.

England appear to get Vunipola boost

In a major lift to Eddie Jones’ men, the powerful Saracens No8 is on course to recover from the ankle injury that forced him off at half-time against Argentina last Saturday week.

Jones names his team to face the Wallabies on Thursday and Vunipola, the only player to have started all 12 of England’s Tests this year, will be an automatic selection if fit.

“Billy is progressing really well,” defence coach John Mitchell said. “He has trained again today and we are very confident in his progression each day. He’s very likely (to be available).

Jones content with cancellation

England were set to play their final Pool C match in Yokohama on Saturday, but with Typhoon Hagibis set to make landfall, the game - along with New Zealand's meeting with Italy - has been called off. Japan's crunch Pool A contest with Scotland on Sunday is also under threat.

Although Jones is disappointed the France match will not go ahead, he said the extra time to prepare for a quarter-final against Australia or Wales has given his side a fantastic opportunity to be at their best in the knockout stage.

England wait on Billy Vunipola ankle injury update ahead of 'Le Crunch'

Vunipola failed to appear for the second-half of the 39-10 victory over Argentina on Saturday that guaranteed their presence in the quarter-finals with the Pool C finale at International Stadium Yokohama still to play.

The marauding Saracens number eight is the only player to have started all 12 of England’s games this year and the overwhelming priority will be to ensure he is fit for the last eight.

“Billy has had a scan and we will have a clearer picture tomorrow (Tuesday),” scrum coach Neal Hatley said.

England primed to cope with gruelling four-day turnaround, says Jones

A four-day turnaround between games has confronted the Webb Ellis Trophy hopefuls with the most hectic period of their Pool C campaign as victory over Tonga in Sapporo is followed by a clash at the Kobe Misaki Stadium 96 hours later.

In a dry-run for the occasion, Jones planned the build-up to last autumn’s 35-15 victory over Japan to mirror the lack of preparation time he must negotiate now.

Tuilagi expects a tough game against USA

Tuilagi was awarded the ‘Master Card Player of the Day’ after the 35-3 win against the Tongans in the RWC opener on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us. Now we have finished from Tonga. More of our focus is going to be on USA.”

The Samoan-born rugby player said the match against Tongans was tough.

“We know that coming to this game, Tonga was going to be a tough test for us. But we managed to get  five points. That’s a great start for our campaign.”

England boss Jones grateful for 'Fergie time'

It took until the 77th minute to deliver the fourth try through Luke Cowan-Dickie that sealed a 35-3 win at the Sapporo Dome, but a laboured performance left plenty of areas for improvement.

Eddie Jones capitalising on England's World Cup with series of Japanese commercial deals

The latest in a string of endorsements is evident in Sapporo, the host city for England’s tournament opener against Tonga on Sunday.

Posters display Jones in a blazer and open-neck white shirt, sat at a table on which sits a bottle of Japanese gin named ‘Roku’. Headlining the poster is the phrase ‘Eddie Recommend’. Roku gin is a part of brewing and distilling company Suntory, who are owners of the Sungoliath club that participates in the nation’s professional league.

'Manu lives less than 100 metres from me and can be a nuisance sometimes'

The Tonga full-back struck up a close relationship with Tuilagi after suffering a foot injury that resulted in eight months of treatment but it has healed in time for him to take part in the World Cup in Japan.

It was during his rehabilitation that he tapped into the experience of Tuilagi, who has finally been restored to full fitness following a sickening run of injuries spanning four years.