MARO ITOJE has warned critics that England will do whatever it takes to win the Rugby World Cup
The Red Rose were cricticised by fans and pundits for their 'header' try in the tournament despite leading Pool D.
Meanwhile, Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has admitted he wears Cristiano Ronaldo boxers after copying the Portuguese legend's goal celebration.
And Fiji shocked the world by beating Australia for the first time ever at a World Cup competition.
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- By Cosmo Teare
Wales can go far in the World Cup – Baldwin
Ex-Wales ace Scott Baldwin has backed Wales to spring a surprise and go far at this year's World Cup.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport he said: "There is no baggage. They have some X factor games as they have already showed.
"Look at the backs they have got, Louis Rees Zammit, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer, Liam Williams, Mason Grady, Nick Tomkins, Dan Biggar. As much as people say it is a young squad there is a lot of experience there. People underestimate Dan Biggar’s attacking game."
- By Cosmo Teare
Wales ready for Australia test – Faletau
Powerhouse forward Taulupe Faletau says Wales will be ready for anything Australia can throw at them in Sunday’s crunch World Cup battle.
He said: “Not many people gave us much of a chance of doing anything in this tournament, but we were always confident we could make an impact. And confidence is pretty high in the group at the moment.
“There is definitely plenty of belief within the group, just like there was in my previous World Cups. The mood is very similar, and we’vre reached two semis and a quarter-final under Gats in the past.”
- By Cosmo Teare
Rugby World Cup odds
England are now 5th favourites to win the Rugby World Cup at 11/1.
France are the favourites to lift the trophy on home soil coming in at 13/5.
Ireland have seen their odds slashed following on from their win over Tonga, going from 9/2 to 7/2.
South Africa come in at 11/4 with New Zealand coming in at 4/1.
Australia are considered outsiders with their odds at 25/1 according to Betfair.
- By Cosmo Teare
James Simpson-Daniel – England have their ruthlessness back
Former England centre James Simpson-Daniel has said that England have their ruthlessness back following their 34-12 victory over Japan yesterday.
Speaking to OLBG, Simpson-Daniel said: "It's almost like England have their ruthlessness back. Their discipline has been better.
"We have talked about England feeding off the Saracens frenzy. They way they celebrate small things which give them energy. That was there against Argentina and Fiji. It looked as though they’d really honed in on what they needed to do.
"I am not getting carried away. I am not saying this side is going to win the World Cup. But you can’t get away from the fact that we are on the ’right side of the draw’.
"Come the knockout stages I don't think we would be fearing Wales or Australia in the quarter finals if that’s how it pans out."
- By Cosmo Teare
Itojie hits back at critics
Maro Itojie has hit back at critics suggestions that England do not score enough tries.
Steve Borthwick’s warriors were the only winning side not to score an opening weekend try, with George Ford kicking every point in their 27-10 triumph over Argentina.
But Itoje, 28, insisted: “We will do what it needs to win — by any means necessary.
"Obviously, we would like to score tries and score loads of tries but for me it is by any means necessary — as long as we win.
“Every game will present different challenges. The task is to find ways to get on the positive side of the result.”
- By Cosmo Teare
Joe Marler's nod to Roberto De Zerbi
England prop Joe Marler has paid tribute to Roberto De Zerbi for his headed 'assist' for Courtney Lawes' try yesterday.
Marler said in an interview after the game: “It’s just what I’ve been practising for, these moments.
“I practised it today with Dan Cole and Jamie George – in activation, we were practising our headers.
“I took huge inspiration from Roberto De Zerbi’s mighty Seagulls, doing a demolition job on United, which is my son’s team. Four Premier League games in a row. Only three teams in Premier League history have beaten Man United four Premier League games in a row: Brighton, Man City and Liverpool.
- By Cosmo Teare
LRZ's Ronaldo tribute
Louis Rees-Zammit added that not only did he celebrate in the manner of the former Manchester United icon, but he also wore underpants in tribute to Ronaldo.
LRZ explained: “Everyone knows I’m a United fan and Ronaldo is my favourite player.
“I wear his boxers and dress like him. So I thought why not do his celebration as well?
“A few of my mates back home wanted me to do it.
“They’re massive football fans too, and we don’t play Portugal very often. So I said if I scored I’d do it for them.”
Credit: Getty - By Cosmo Teare
Wales winger’s Ronaldo tribute
Louis Rees-Zammit admits he wears Cristiano Ronaldo boxers — after copying the Portuguese superstar’s goal celebration.
The Welsh winger was booed by fuming Portugal supporters as he mimicked Ronaldo after scoring his try in Saturday’s Pool C triumph over the Rugby World Cup minnows.
But Manchester United fan Rees-Zammit, 22, admits he has been obsessed by Ronaldo since he was a kid.
- By Cosmo Teare
England score ‘worst try ever’
England fans were left in stitches after England skipper Courtney Lawes scored “the worst try ever” during England’s 34-12 victory over Japan.
Lawes burst through to transform a tense World Cup group game – after the ball bounced forward off the HEAD of team-mate Joe Marler.
One viewer called it "the most England try ever" as Steve Borthwick's men went on to romp home 34-12 after a nervy display.
- By Cosmo Teare
SunSport Rugby World Cup blog
Hello and welcome to SunSport’s live Rugby World Cup blog.
From Wednesday onwards fans will be treated to ongoing midweek action with a game on every day until Sunday.
Here’s the list of the upcoming games to add to your calendar.
- Wednesday 20 September Italy vs Uruguay 16:45
- Thursday 21 September France vs Nimibia 20:00
- Friday 22 September Argentina vs Samoa 20:00
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