South Africa lock Bakkies Botha could miss the Rugby World Cup opener against Wales on Sunday with an Achilles injury.
Japan prop Hisateru Hirashima has described France's scrum as the "best in the world" and "stronger than New Zealand's".
Rory Best has warned Ireland they must contain the USA's early onslaught in their World Cup opener on Sunday.
Ireland fullback Geordan Murphy believes that former coach Eddie O'Sullivan will use his "inside knowledge" to better prepare his USA players for Sunday's opening World Cup clash in New Plymouth.
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson returns to Dunedin claiming his last visit provided him with one of the most valuable experiences of his life.
The All Blacks have played down their latest injury scare after prop Tony Woodcock suffered a hamstring problem.
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has conceded that Stephen Jones is a doubt for next Sunday's World Cup opener against South Africa.
Graham Rowntree insists England will respect the threat posed by the Argentina scrum in their World Cup opener on Saturday.
Coach John Kirwan is looking beyond Japan's tough opening matches and ahead to Tonga and Canada to define the Asian champions' World Cup in New Zealand.
Argentina coach Santiago Phelan claims he has named his strongest possible XV for the World Cup opener against England.
The All Blacks have jettisoned their controversial player rotation policy and say they will stick with the hardcore of their first XV through the World Cup starting on Friday.
Lock Bakkies Botha could miss the Springboks' opening match of the World Cup against Wales on Sunday because of an Achilles injury, South Africa's communications manager Andy Colquhoun confirmed on Tuesday.
Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has made just one change to his World Cup starting line-up against England from the team which took the field in the 28-13 defeat by Wales last month in a build-up match in Cardiff.
The highly-rated Western Province defence was uncharacteristically leaky against Griquas last Saturday, but that will not be the case this weekend when the Leopards make their Currie Cup appearance at Newlands.
Hooker William Servat and scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili were named in France's XV for their opening World Cup clash with Japan in North Harbour on Saturday despite Servat not having played since June 4.
