Samoa warmed up for their World Cup clash against Wales with a crushing 49-12 Pool D victory in Rotorua - but it came at a price.
France have confirmed that fly-half David Skrela has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury.
Only five players from the Japan team which put up a feisty performance against France survived sweeping changes by coach John Kirwan for their second match against the All Blacks.
Ireland have made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday's World Cup Pool C clash with Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.
Powerhouse wing Alesani Tuilagi claimed a hat-trick of tries as Samoa crunched Namibia 49-12 to spectacularly launch their World Cup campaign in Rotorua on Wednesday.
Defending champions South Africa's injury woes increased on Wednesday, with confirmation that wing Bryan Habana will the miss Springboks' second World Cup Pool D match against Fiji in Wellington on Saturday.
Star flyhalf Dan Carter has pulled out of All Blacks side to play Japan in their World Cup clash on Friday, after failing to overcome a sore back.
The almost unthinkable happened at Springbok training on Tuesday when Bok lock Johann Muller limped out of practice with a hamstring injury.
We give some statistics of virtue and vice during the first round of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Ben Youngs feels as sharp as ever and is ready to start against Georgia on Sunday after fearing injury would rule him out of the World Cup.
Martin Johnson has called the World Cup balls into question after Jonny Wilkinson missed five consecutive penalty kicks against Argentina.
Alun-Wyn Jones believes Wales have established World Cup momentum despite losing their opening game against South Africa.
For the first time ever, Russia will play a Rugby World Cup match when they take the field against the USA Eagles in New Plymouth on Thursday. It is an exciting time for the big Bears.
Fiji will not compromise on their thrilling ball-in-hand style that has come to personify the South Sea Island team when they take on South Africa in RWC Pool D action on Saturday, according to veteran flyhalf Nicky Little.
Canterbury and Crusaders star Richie McCaw, who has set the benchmark for modern-day openside flankers, will become the first New Zealander to play 100 Tests when he leads the side in their Rugby World Cup Pool A game against Japan on Friday.
