The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) board confirmed the appointment process for the All Blacks head coaching position at the monthly meeting in Wellington this week.
Paul O'Connell accepts it is time for Ireland to deliver after highlighting the significance of Saturday's World Cup send off against England.
Chris Ashton is ready to pack a punch for England alongside his one-time assailant Manu Tuilagi.
All of the members of the Wallabies World Cup squad that played for the Australian Barbarians against Canada on Friday came throught the match unscathed as they recorded a dominant 38-14 victory.
Rob Horne named as final member of the Australian team to play New Zealand in the Tri-Nations Finale in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Wellington Lions ended their NPC campaign in the winner's circle, with a hard fought 29-28 victory over North Harbour at Albany on Friday.
Felipe Contepomi is 34 now, playing in his fourth and probably last World Cup, but he remains the driving force for Argentina as they attempt to emulate their success of four years ago when they reached the semifinals.
The World Cup will provide a global spotlight on how much substance there is to the hype that surrounds Sonny Bill Williams Inc.
Andrew Sheridan feared he would miss out on the Rugby World Cup after being forced to go under the knife to have the bicep shortened.
Emerging West Australian prop Kieran Longbottom will be the first locally developed player to captain the Western Force as the side lines up for their second tour match against a Test strength Samoa on Saturday.
The last time Brackenfell played Interschools rivals Tygerberg, it didn't end all that well for Brackenfell. This Saturday, it's Interschools again and Brackenfell's skipper Danie Janse van Rensburg is hoping to have a better time of it when he leads his team out against Tygerberg in their FNB Classic Clash.
The Hurricanes have made two key signings, as coach Mark Hammett continues to finalise his squad for 2012.
Jonny Wilkinson is determined to make the most of a start against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, as he bids to become England's first-choice flyhalf at the World Cup.
Australia head into their decider with New Zealand on Saturday night motivated by the chance to end a 10-year Tri Nations drought.
Influential scrumhalf Will Genia has been cleared to play for the Wallabies in the Tri-Nations decider against New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday.
