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Japan’s famous Rugby World Cup win is coming to a screen near you | Robert Kitson

Films about Brave Blossoms and the story of Dan Carter plus a play about Bill McLaren make perfect curtain-raisersFor years it was widely assumed rugby would not translate easily to stage and screen. With the odd exception – Up ’n’ Under, Stand Up and Fight and Invictus, the Clint Eastwood‑directed film of South Africa’s extraordinary 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon – few have felt the need to apply theatrical war paint to help the game woo a wider audience.Suddenly all that is changing. Entering stage left are not just one or two but three intriguing rugby‑related productions, each hoping to capitalise on the extra interest set to be generated by the World Cup in...

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England’s undercooked flanks give Eddie Jones food for thought | Michael Aylwin

Disjointed display against Wales offered positives but did little to vindicate a decision to name the World Cup squad earlyAll part of the plan? Who can second-guess the workings of Eddie Jones’s mind but certainly, if last weekend England produced one of the more impressive outings by a second team, this was far more the sort of performance these awkward warm-up fixtures tend to elicit.It was not entirely without merit and they were more comfortable than they have been in defence of late, but for all the sporadic flashes in attack, here was a rare thing: 80 minutes from this England vintage without a try. Related: George North try helps Wales bounce back with home win against England Continue reading...

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England’s diverse World Cup squad can change perception of rugby union in UK | Ugo Monye

More than a third of the squad are from BAME backgrounds – I’m incredibly proud that it is a reflection of modern societyWhenever a World Cup squad is announced it elicits a lot of emotions. Joy, for those that have been picked, anger for those that haven’t, excitement for those of us eagerly anticipating the start of the competition and perhaps a little bit of worry too at the risks Eddie Jones has taken. But personally, the overriding emotion I feel at the moment is pride. I’m incredibly proud that these 31 players get to represent our country as the most diverse England World Cup squad ever selected.More than a third of the players in the squad are from BAME...

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England left with plenty to work on after Wales rise to the occasion | Robert Kitson

Gatland’s team show their mettle and may yet head to the World Cup as Europe’s team to beat after exposing big weaknesses in the visitors’ gameplanSome rugby days are hard to beat. Saturday was one of them, particularly for those with Welsh blood pulsing through their veins.In terms of gladiatorial combat, passion, fellowship and emotion, it is hard to imagine a more vivid piece of Six Nations theatre. The Welsh Rugby Union’s pre-match entertainment would impress even PT Barnum nowadays. Related: Wales 21-13 England: talking points from the Six Nations match Twitter: follow us at @guardian_sport Related: Eddie Jones will not rule out title as Warren Gatland chases grand slam Continue reading...

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Eddie Jones’s words about Wales prove to be a warning, not a wind-up | Andy Bull

England’s coach talked up his opponents endlessly in the run-up to their Cardiff showdown. They duly deliveredIf you ask the locals around Cardiff, there are a lot of words they might use to describe the English. Humble is not one. In fact if you are waiting for one of them to say that, you will never catch that last train out of town. The same goes for Eddie Jones. “Arrogance,” Jones once said, “is only bad when you lose. If you’re winning and you’re arrogant, it’s just self-belief.”Of course England were winning, until now – six of their last seven coming into this match, the odd loss that one-point defeat by New Zealand and the last two victories among the...

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