Coverage: Live commentary on every match on BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website.
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Scotland make four changes to the team that edged home by three points against Samoa.
Perhaps the biggest find for Australia is not Bernard Foley dominating or the Michael Hooper-David Pocock combination but the revelation of one player we knew was good, but could prove an invaluable asset to the Wallabies in this campaign.
It is frightening to think that this snarling pitbull of a wing forward is only 21 years of age, the confidence and power he played with was unbelievable considering his inexperience.
In addition to those packing out the 74,000-capacity Millennium Stadium and 81,000-seater Twickenham Stadium, thousands more will watch the action from fan zones in Cardiff and Richmond as well as in Exeter, Newham and Rugby, with millions watching on television.
The English rugby team have been fined $113,000, half of which was suspended, for breaching the World Cup participation agreement for failing to meet their post-match media requirements following their defeat by Australia, according to the Telegaph.
“They are a team which I feel is most risky at the end of the game”.
“But at the same time I think both teams will want to play a few open rugby and then it is about how the teams turn up on the day”.
Vereniki Goneva produced one of the great Fijian tries as they ran it from 70 metres out to score against Wales while Metuisela Talebula was always a threat from full back. It caught the Australians by surprise and I went over nice and easy in the corner.
Tevita Kuridrani and Israel Folau are Australia’s two metre-makers, but can’t be relied upon completely to get Australia on the front foot.
That said, Australia will be firm (and deserved) favourites. “We’re getting ready for a massive battle”. Ultimately, the atmosphere is built by both boos and cheers, so it makes little difference.
A date with either Ireland or Argentina in London in a fortnight’s time.
The Wallabies have won two out of three when the RWC is held in the northen hemisphere and it is neutral ground while New Zealand have never won any world cups there.
But Paul O’Connell is now out and so too is Peter O’Mahony while Johnny Sexton is also doubtful with a hamstring injury.
When Cowan played the first World Cup warm-up match against Ireland in Dublin, Hardie was absent. Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry come into the side, while fly-half Johnny Sexton is fit to start despite limping off with a groin problem against France.
Scotland narrowly beat Samoa 36-33 in their final group game to clinch their place in the quarter-finals, despite winning the same number of matches as Japan, who provided the shock of the tournament when they beat the Springboks 34-32.
They also have the magic of JK Rowling on their side. Now they face the heavyweights in knockout games.
They are known more for the transformation of their teams, for putting in a culture of belief and togetherness that shows off the field and even so on it. Shula was further quoted as saying that “convictions provide direction”. The hooker has just two starts for Scotland (14 caps in all) and he’s going up against Stephen Moore, who will win his 100th cap on Sunday.
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Vern Cotter doesn’t strike you as the kind of guy that would have been on tenterhooks waiting on news from the Wallaby camp of the fitness of David Pocock ahead of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham.
