England backs coach Andy Farrell admits centre Jonathan Joseph is struggling for fitness ahead of their second Rugby World Cup encounter this weekend.

Tom Abell’s performances this season earned him the LV= Breakthrough Player Award for 2015 and former England batsman Mark Butcher is convinced the Somerset opener is on track for international honours.

Kieran Brookes knows there is room for improvement after England’s opening Rugby World Cup victory over Fiji but the prop is adamant that successfully securing a bonus-point triumph means it was mission accomplished.

Any negative self-reflection after the Ashes should be left firmly to the vanquished Australians, former England wicketkeeper, Alec Stewart, has said.

National Grid is expecting the UK’s demand for electricity to escalate substantially in the coming weeks due to the Rugby World Cup, which gets underway tonight at Twickenham.

Manchester pupils from select schools will be able to design their team’s rugby shirt in conjunction with the All Schools programme and kit suppliers Canterbury.

Oldham’s George Ford has held off Owen Farrell to start at 10 for England in tonight’s World Cup opener against Fiji, but this is far from the first time the two have competed head-to-head.

Jonny May believes England’s back-line can develop into the very best in rugby as a gruelling summer of World Cup preparation comes to a head on Friday.

World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio admits England are light on experience for their 2015 campaign but the former No.8 insists home advantage could be more than enough to compensate.

England will have few excuses should their lineout falter against Fiji on Friday night but Courtney Lawes is confident they won’t be needed.

Sam Burgess insists club allegiances have been put to one side as England go in search of World Cup success on home soil when they start the tournament against Fiji on Friday.