France edged Ireland 19-12 in a World Cup warm-up at Stade Chaban Delmas, in Bordeaux, on Saturday, but both sides were left with plenty to ponder ahead of the showpiece event which starts in 28 days' time.
Ireland put in a spirited display but lost 19-12 to France in a World Cup warm-up at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux..
The suggestion that Springbok captain John Smit might miss the World Cup has been firmly dismissed, but South Africa had several injuries added to yet another disappointing loss.
The Lions survived a brave fightback from the Cheetahs to secure a 17-10 victory in their Currie Cup match in Johannesburg on Saturday - retaining their unbeaten status and first place on the standings.
Australia, content to play the counter-punch game in the first half and then taking on the South Africa pack after the break, recorded a morale-boosting 14-9 Tri-Nations win in Durban on Saturday.
South Africa, displaying a far more expansive approach to their game, ran out of steam after a good start and suffered a heartbreaking 9-14 loss to Australia in Durban on Saturday.
Wales centre Gavin Henson faces an anxious wait to see if his World Cup dream is over after suffering a suspected broken arm against England.
World champions South Africa look in bad shape as they prepare to begin the defence of their title after 14-9 home loss to Australia in Durban.
Australia kept their Tri-Nations hopes alive when they came from behind to edge South Africa 14-9 in a tense Test in a wet and windy Durban on Saturday.
Martin Johnson admitted England's 19-9 defeat to Wales in Cardiff was "a bit of a mess" and one of the strangest games he had ever seen.
James Hook inspired Wales to a 19-9 victory over England with a haul of 13 points and the game's only try in the World Cup warm-up game in Cardiff on Saturday.
England's World Cup preparations suffered a major jolt at the Millennium Stadium as Wales exposed their chronic lack of flair with a 19-9 win.
In the curtainraiser in Durban to the Tri-Nations match between South Africa and Australia, France Under-19 were much too strong for the South African Academy team and beat them 36-24.
World Cup-winning flank Juan Smith may make a surprise return to the playing field against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth next week.
England suffered a late blow with confirmation that Rugby League recruit Chris Ashton has been ruled out of the World Cup warm-up match against Wales with an ankle injury.
