Militant clubs take aim at RFU and cast cloud over World Cup

The turmoil at the Rugby Football Union looked set to continue throughout England's World Cup campaign with the acting chief executive, Martyn Thomas, facing a charge of bringing the game into disrepute

Rugby World Cup 2011: Quiet Kidney must get Ireland to up the volume

The Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, has a tough task but history suggests he is capable of revitalising his out-of-sorts side at the Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup: How 1987 changed the face of rugby union

The competition has turned full circle with the Rugby World Cup returning to where it all started

Rugby World Cup 2011: Steve Thompson relishes second tilt at glory

The hooker Steve Thompson will be gunning for a starting place in England's front row against Argentina

Rugby World Cup 2011: Powerful France are ready to roar

Eddie Butler: New Zealand must peak to stop Australia - or maybe France - gatecrashing their party

Rugby World Cup 2011: England expects order out of glorious chaos

Eddie Butler: Despite the muddle at the RFU, Martin Johnson's side are World Cup contenders in New Zealand

Rugby World Cup 2011: Fear factors fuel Scotland veteran Chris Paterson

Scotland's record scorer, Chris Paterson, is back in the fold and looking forward to what could be his World Cup swansong, he tells Ewan Murray

Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales ready to slay ghosts of World Cups past

Warren Gatland is confident his side have learned the lessons of previous failures and are ready to go far in the tournament, writes Paul Rees

Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand will make no mistakes this time

The former New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans is certain the World Cup winners will emerge from the southern hemisphere

Rugby World Cup 2011: Ruaridh Jackson says Scotland can flourish

The young Scotland fly-half tells Ewan Murray he will use praise from England's Jonny Wilkinson as fuel for his first World Cup campaign

Rugby World Cup 2011: How the Herald saw New Zealand failures

Since the second tournament, in 1991, the New Zealand Herald has had plenty of practice in reporting All Black World Cup disappointments

New Zealand desperate to end 24 years of Rugby World Cup hurt

Toby Manhire: In a country where rugby is a means of national self-expression, the All Blacks' failures since 1987 have become an obsession

Rugby World Cup 2011: Martin Johnson on charm offensive in Auckland

England shocked to discover they are not the most unpopular side in New Zealand

Rugby World Cup 2011: Delon Armitage insists New Zealand can be beaten

The England full-back said the Tri-Nations will have little bearing on the World Cup

Rugby World Cup 2011: Seven could be a lucky number in New Zealand

Robert Kitson: Last weekend's matches have posed some interesting questions days before the start of the World Cup