Rugby

England signed off an encouraging Rugby World Cup with a 26-23 win over Argentina at the Stade de France to claim third place. Steve Borthwick’s side had gone within a whisker of qualifying for a second successive World Cup final only for South Africa’s Handre Pollard to shatter their dreams with a 79th-minute penalty.

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup adventure ended in a familiar quarter-final exit. Andy Farrell’s men went into the tournament at the top of the global rankings but were unable to break new ground by winning a knockout match.

Wales reached the Rugby World Cup knockout phase for a fourth successive tournament before bowing out against quarter-final opponents Argentina. That represented a solid achievement given Wales’ struggles earlier in the year when poor form was matched by off-field issues such as financial and contractual uncertainty that almost led to a players’ strike.

Scotland suffered a group-stage exit at the Rugby World Cup after falling victim to a formidable pool featuring the two teams that began the tournament as the highest-ranked in the world. It represented a disappointing outcome for a side that arrived in France ranked fifth in the world.

Holders South Africa and New Zealand will meet in the Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France on Saturday. The Springboks edged England while the All Blacks cruised past Argentina in their respective semi-finals.

England will sign off an encouraging Rugby World Cup with Friday’s bronze final against Argentina at the Stade de France. Having lost 16-15 to South Africa in the last four, Steve Borthwick’s side are 1/3 in the England Rugby World Cup odds to beat the Pumas and claim third place.

England will be appearing in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals for the sixth time when they lock horns with current champions South Africa at the Stade de France on Saturday. Ahead of the Paris showdown, we look back at the previous five England Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

England made unbeaten progress through the Rugby World Cup group stage to secure a quarter-final against Fiji at Stade Velodrome on Sunday. It will be their ninth appearance in the knockout phase having missed out on qualification just once before.

Ireland will take on three-time champions New Zealand on Saturday evening in a crunch Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Paris. The Irish had to wait 111 years for a first Test victory over the All Blacks but have had the upper hand recently by winning four of the last six meetings.

Wales and Argentina will face each other in a first Rugby World Cup clash since 1999 on Saturday. The opening Marseille quarter-final sees Wales start as favourites after they collected 19 points from a possible 20 in winning their pool.

France head coach Fabien Galthie has described Friday’s opening Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand in Paris as “a wonderful celebration”. The top two teams in the outright winner odds will clash in a blockbuster curtain raiser at a sold-out Stade de France in Paris.

The 10th men’s Rugby World Cup is set to kick off on September 8, with hosts France taking on New Zealand in front of what is sure to be a full house at the Stade de France. Over the space of seven weeks, 20 teams will contest 48 matches in a bid to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.