England have struck back after copping a serve from former All Black lock Ali Williams.

How did we end up with such an apparently lop-sided World Cup draw? Justin Marshall takes a close look at Pool A.

The list of names England announced for their opening game doesn't scream champions, writes Gregor Paul.

Sonny Bill Williams believes England have erred in their placement of Sam Burgess.

Former All Black lock Ali Williams has branded English rugby fans as the worst in the world in an amazing attack on the World Cup hosts.

Hosts urged to make sure they have their own strategies in place to deal with all the hype that is building around them.

Former England skipper says it's unfair to put league player in pressure cooker of Rugby World Cup.

England forwards coach Graham Rowntree says they will go into the Rugby World Cup aiming to take on the Southern Hemisphere superpowers.

Manu Tuilagi has joined a long list of England rugby off-field indiscretions, ruled out of the World Cup after pleading guilty to assault.

Sam Burgess admitted he was relieved to finally score his first try for Bath in their 39-26 English rugby victory over Wasps yesterday.

The Wallabies have completed their worst European tour in almost a decade after being overpowered by England 26-17 in their season-ending test at Twickenham.

Wynne Gray writes: Special team plays, astonishing individual feats or a mix of the two bring out the sporting labels for great tries.

The Twickenham crowd can take a bow. After a poor start, in which they allowed Aaron Cruden to score a dodgy try for the All Blacks, the England faithful took control and kept their team in the hunt.

The droning chorus of English misanthropes crying "hypocrisy" and claiming yet again NZ rugby has pillaged the Pacific Islands may finally be quelled.

Twickenham. Many of us have been there to breathe in the atmosphere and then watch as the English hosts try to repel the All Black invaders.

The All Blacks and England have injected some x-factor for their fourth encounter this year.

The All Blacks cannot set foot on English soil these days without two boring commentaries being directed their way.

The All Blacks and England have clashed 37 times. In the 109-year history of the two rivals, England have won just seven times.

Looks like that poor little English rugby team is already running up the white flag or at least a distress signal. In other words, one con job over, and on to the next one.

It says a lot about the confidence of England coach Stuart Lancaster that his first message to fans this week has been "we are ready".

It's six years since a 20-year-old Danny Cipriani took the England No 10 spot from Jonny Wilkinson and won the man of the match award on his debut against Ireland.