Ireland name strong side

Luke Fitzgerald will start at inside centre in place of the injured Robbie Henshaw in Ireland’s World Cup opener against Canada at the Milennium Stadium.

Spedding at 15 for France

South African-born Scott Spedding will start at fullback in France’s World Cup opener against Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.

Sharks swap one for Lions clash

Franco Marais will start at hooker in the only change to the Sharks team for their Currie Cup clash with the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Lions rotate pack

Johan Ackermann has made four changes to the Golden Lions team for Saturday's Currie Cup encounter against the Sharks in Johannesburg.

‘Jean most comfortable at 12’

Heyneke Meyer says he wants to afford Jean de Villiers the opportunity to ‘lay down his marker as captain’ in his preferred position when the Springboks take on Japan.