European Rugby
Sale’s Curry Twins, Tom and Ben (on right)
Sale Sharks flanker Ben Curry says not asking if he could miss a Premiership match to fly out and watch identical twin brother Tom play for England in Saturday’s World Cup final would have been “the biggest regret” of his life.
Eddie Jones’ side face South Africa in Yokohama, a day after Ben was set to play for Sale against Bristol.
“What would I remember when I’m 60, one game against Bristol or my twin playing in a World Cup final – and possibly winning it – with me in Japan,” the 21-year-old told BBC Sport.
“When you put it in those terms I thought I had to at least ask.”
After a social media campaign #GetBenToJapan gathered momentum, Ben approached Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond for permission and the club agreed to give him a few days off to fly out.
Sale said it was a “once in a lifetime experience” for Ben, who will leave Manchester for Japan on Tuesday morning.
Springboks (9) 19 / 16 (6) Wales (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and Wales did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi Final at
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan on 27 October 2019 at 11:00 SA Time (18:00 Japan Time, 10:00 UK Time, 09:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Connacht (14) 24 / 22 (5) Cheetahs (Final Score)
Connacht Rugby and the Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Round 4 of the Guinness PRO14 2019 / 2020 at
The Sportsground, Galway, Ireland on 26 October 2019 at 18:15 SA Time (17:15 UK Time, 16:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 2 on TV in SA.
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England (10) 19 / 7 (0) All Blacks (Final Score)
England and the New Zealand All Blacks did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 Semi Final at
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan on 26 October 2019 at 10:00 SA Time (17:00 Japan Time, 09:00 UK Time, 21:00 NZ Time, 08:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wales (10) 20 / 19 (19) France (Final Score)
Wales and France did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final at
Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture, Japan on 20 October 2019 at 09:15 SA Time (16:15 Japan Time, 08:15 UK Time, 09:15 France Time, 07:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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All Blacks (22) 46 / 14 (0) Ireland (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final at
Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan on 19 October 2019 at 12:15 SA Time (19:15 Japan Time, 23:15 NZ Time, 11:15 UK Time, 10:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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England (17) 40 / 16 (9) Wallabies (Final Score)
England and the Australian Wallabies did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final at
Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture, Japan on 19 October 2019 at 09:15 SA Time (16:15 Japan Time, 08:15 UK Time, 18:15 AEST, 07:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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On Sunday the GROUP STAGE of Rugby World Cup 2019 came to a close, with 12 Teams departing and only 8 Teams remaining to contest the final 3 weeks of Rugby World Cup 2019.
7 Of the 8 Teams going forward were expected to go forward but the host nation Japan added their name to the last 8 by beating Scotland and by topping their Pool overall, winning all 4 their Pool matches.
Japan is certainly one of 2 Teams at Rugby World Cup 2019 who have showed the most improvement, the other probably being chalked down as Uruguay who beat the much more vaunted Fiji and on Sunday they really showed passion, spirit, determination and lots of guts against Wales (only trailing by 1 point at the break and then going down not nearly as heavy at the end as was to be expected).
Fiji and Tonga showed some glimpses of what they could be capable of but they lacked overall poise and effectiveness during the Group Stages.
Samoa were the most ill-diciplined outfit by far in Rugby World Cup 2019.
Namibia played with spirit and guts and it is a great pity their final Pool match against Canada was cancelled due to typhoon Hagabis, which could have delivered their 1st ever Rugby World Cup win.
Japan (21) 28 / 21 (7) Scotland (Final Score)
Japan and Scotland did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama City, Japan on 13 October 2019 at 12:45 SA Time (19:45 Japan Time, 11:45 UK Time, 10:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wales (7) 35 / 13 (6) Uruguay (Final Score)
Wales and Uruguay did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto City, Japan on 13 October 2019 at 10:15 SA Time (14:15 Japan Time, 09:15 UK Time, 05:15 Uruguay Time, 08:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Kings (10) 17 / 42 (35) Ulster (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Ulster Rugby did battle in Round 3 of the Guinness PRO14 2019 / 2020 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on 12 October 2019 at 16:00 SA Time (18:05 UK Time, 17:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 2 on TV in SA.
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Ireland (26) 47 / 5 (5) Samoa (Final Score)
Ireland and Samoa did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka City, Japan on 12 October 2019 at 12:45 SA Time (19:45 Japan Time, 11:45 UK Time, 10:45 GMT, Sunday 00:45 Samoa Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (12) 40 / 16 (9) Munster (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and Munster did battle in Round 3 of the Guinness PRO14 2019 / 2020 at
Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa on 11 October 2019 at 18:15 SA Time (17:15 UK Time, 16:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Wallabies (10) 27 / 8 (3) Georgia (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and Georgia did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on 11 October 2019 at 12:15 SA Time (19:15 Japan Time, 21:15 AEST, 14:15 Georgia Time, 10:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wales (14) 29 / 17 (10) Fiji (Final Score)
Wales and Fiji did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture, Japan on 9 October 2019 at 11:45 SA Time (18:45 Japan Time, 10:45 UK Time, 21:45 Fiji Time, 09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Scotland (21) 61 / 0 (0) Russia (Final Score)
Scotland and Russia did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on 9 October 2019 at 09:15 SA Time (16:15 Japan Time, 08:15 UK Time, 10:15 Russia Time, 07:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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France (17) 23 / 21 (7) Tonga (Final Score)
France and Tonga did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto City, Japan on 6 October 2019 at 09:45 SA Time (16:45 Japan Time, 09:45 French Time, 20:45 Tonga Time, 07:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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England (15) 39 / 10 (3) Los Pumas (Final Score)
England and the Argentinian Los Pumas did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan on 5 October 2019 at 10:00 SA Time (17:00 Japan Time, 09:00 UK Time, 05:00 Arg Time, 08:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Italy (3) 3 / 49 (17) Springboks (Final Score)
Italy and the South African Springboks do battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on 4 October 2019 at 11:45 SA Time (18:45 Japan Time, 11:45 Italy Time, 09:45 GMT).
This is the live match discussion Article.
The match is broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Ireland (21) 35 / 0 (0) Russia (Final Score)
Ireland and Russia did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City, Japan on 3 October 2019 at 12:15 SA Time (19:15 Japan Time, 11:15 UK Time, 13:15 Moscow Time, 10:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Georgia (3) 10 / 45 (7) Fiji (Final Score)
Georgia and Fiji did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on 3 October 2019 at 07:15 SA Time (14:15 Japan Time, 09:15 Georgia Time, 17:15 Fiji Time, 05:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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France (12) 33 / 9 (6) USA (Final Score)
France and the United States of America did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Fokuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fokuoka City, Japan on 2 October 2019 at 09:45 SA Time (16:45 Japan Time, 09:45 French Time, 00:45 PST, 07:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Scotland (20) 34 / 0 (0) Samoa (Final Score)
Scotland and Samoa did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City, Japan on 30 September 2019 at 12:15 SA Time (19:15 Japan Time, 11:15 UK Time, 23:1 Samoan Time, 10:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Georgia (12) 33 / 7 (7) Uruguay (Final Score)
Georgia and Uruguay did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya, Japan on 29 September 2019 at 07:15 SA Time (14:15 Japan Time, 05:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Kings (13) 27 / 31 (5) Cardiff Blues (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and the Cardiff Blues did battle in Round 1 of the Guinness PRO14 2019 / 2020 at
the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa at 16:00 SA Time (15:00 UK Time, 14:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 2 on TV in SA.
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Japan (9) 19 / 12 (12) Ireland (Final Score)
Japan and Ireland did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on 28 September 2019 at 09:15 SA Time (16:15 Japan Time, 08:15 UK Time, 07:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (24) 48 / 14 (7) Warriors (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and Glasgow Warriors did battle in Round 1 of the Guinness PRO14 2019 / 2020 at
the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa at 19:05 SA Time (18:05 UK Time, 17:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 5 on TV in SA.
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France (20) 23 / 21 (3) Los Pumas (Final Score)
France and the Argentinian Los Pumas did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan on 21 September 2019 at 09:15 SA Time (16:15 Japan Time, 09:15 French Time, 04:15 Arg Time, 07:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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1,432 days since Scotland last played a World Cup match. 1,432 days since bewildered Scotland fans ran the gamut of emotions in a cruel loss to Australia. Now it’s time to do it all again…
This game will have massive implications for Scotland. Victory means a shot at topping an RWC pool for the first time since 1991. Lose and there is absolutely no margin for error in the remaining three matches if a quarter-final place is to be achieved.
History is not in Scotland’s favour when it comes to this type of fixture. Across 18 games against other Tier 1 teams in World Cups the dark blues have managed just two previous wins.
Sale have signed South Africa scrum-half Embrose Papier on a three-month loan as World Cup cover for compatriot Faf de Klerk.
The 22-year-old plays for the Pretoria-based Bulls franchise in Super Rugby, making 23 appearances so far.
Papier made his South Africa debut against Wales in Washington DC in June 2018 and won his most recent cap in a 20-11 defeat in Cardiff last November.
He narrowly missed out on a place in the Springboks’ World Cup squad.
Stade Francais have announced the arrival of Scotland international Josh Strauss as a medical joker for at least a three-month period.
The 32-year-old South African earned his last Test cap just last Saturday when coming off the bench in Scotland’s win over Georgia in Tbilisi.
However, he was deemed surplus to requirement by Gregor Townsend when the Scots named their World Cup squad on Tuesday and he has now been snapped up on a short-term deal by the Top 14 Parisians. Strauss had been playing in recent times for Sale in the Premiership.
Ireland (7) 19 / 10 (10) Wales (Final Score)
Ireland and Wales did battle in a Rugby World Cup warm-up International 2019 at
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland on 7 September 2019 at 15:00 SA Time (14:00 UK Time, 13:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 8 on TV in SA.
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Scotland pulled away from a stubborn Georgia in the second half at Murrayfield to earn their third win in four World Cup warm-up matches.
It was a one-point game at the break, with unconverted tries by Ali Price and Blair Kinghorn met by three Tedo Abzhandadze penalties.
But Sam Johnson darted over to edge the Scots clear, and tries by Darcy Graham, and the Horne brothers – George and Pete – sealed victory in Scotland’s final game before their opener in Japan against Ireland on 22 September.
Wales (3) 17 / 22 (15) Ireland (Final Score)
Wales and Ireland did battle in the August Internationals 2019 at
the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on 31 August 2019 at 15:30 SA Time (14:30 UK Time, 13:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 8 on TV in SA.
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Centre Sam Johnson will make his first Scotland appearance since emerging on the international scene in the 2019 Guinness Six Nations in this Saturday’s Summer Test match against Georgia at the Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi (31 August, kick-off 5pm BST, 8pm local time, 6pm SA time) – live on Premier Sports.
The play-making midfielder is one of 10 changes to the side that defeated France 17-14 at BT Murrayfield last weekend. He will make his comeback alongside 23-year-old Rory Hutchinson, who will start his first Test match for his country.
Scotland will be the first Tier One national side to travel for a Test match on Georgian soil, which doubles as the last opportunity for players to stake their claim for the final 31-man group for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, announced by Head Coach Gregor Townsend at a public event at Linlithgow Palace on Tuesday 3 September.