Premier Rugby in row over player release for World Cup build-up
There are claims that non-English players' World Cup chances are being jeopardised by Premier Rugby's stipulations over their release
Things looking up in northern hemisphere but Australia are the future
Shaun Edwards: November should be a better month for the northern hemisphere countries but Australia are showing World Cup-winning potential
Wallabies’ George Smith spurns European clubs to stay in Australia
George Smith has turned down a lucrative move north to concentrate on the 2011 World Cup
Mils Muliaina snubs big money offers to commit to 2011 World Cup
All Blacks star has turned down lucrative offers to play in Europe, and says his desire to win the World Cup 'burns strongly'
Borthwick admits England have room for improvement
England captain Steve Borthwick now has a tough World Cup schedule to contend with on top of a dismal Six Nations campaign
England to open 2011 campaign against Argentina
England will face Argentina in their first pool game at the 2011 World Cup, while Wales take on South Africa
Italy may take 2015 World Cup from England
Italy has emerged as a contender to host the 2015 World Cup with the RFU concerned about the £80m staging fee
Scots relish chance of meeting England down under
The draw for the 2011 World Cup has brought England, Scotland and Argentina together in the same group
Australia survive autumn’s mellow brutalness to blow England away
Jon Henderson: The Wallabies showed bravery to inflict a defeat that may dent England's World Cup hopes
Seedings add spice to Johnson’s first real challenge
Robert Kitson: The autumn schedule gives England more than a fair chance of making the top four seedings for the 2011 World Cup
Reducing quantity does not improve quality
Paul Rees: The trouble with rugby union is that it remains a conservative sport, which is why the 2011 World Cup may still be reduced to 16 teams.
Future is brighter than the present for England
To say England are not producing young players is not true - Brian Ashton just hasn't had time to work with them, says Paul Rees.
World Cup may be cut to 16 teams to avoid mismatches
The IRB is to examine the possibility of reducing the number of sides at the 2011 World Cup from 20 to 16 in a bid to stop embarrassing mis-matches.