2011 Rugby World Cup knockout stage
Encyclopedia
The knockout stage of the 2011 Rugby World Cup began on 8 October with a quarter-final between Ireland
and Wales
and concluded on 23 October with the final
at Eden Park
in Auckland
.
New Zealand were the first team to qualify for the knockout stage, when they beat France 37–17 in their penultimate Pool A game. New Zealand and France re-encountered in the final, that was won by the local team 8–7. This was a rematch of the '87 final
also in Eden Park and also won by New Zealand. This way, New Zealand got their second title, while France their third final.
For the first time in World Cup history, 3 teams that finished 2nd in their respective pools qualified for the Semi-Finals, while South Africa became the 2nd defending champions not to reach the Semi-Finals after Australia in 1995.
Furthermore, the bottom half of the bracket was composed of the 2012 Four Nations teams and the other half was composed of the last four 6 Nations
champions since the last World Cup.
----
----
----
----
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
New Zealand
|
FB
15
Israel Dagg
RW
14
Cory Jane
OC
13
Conrad Smith
IC
12
Ma'a Nonu
LW
11
Richard Kahui
FH
10
Aaron Cruden
SH
9
Piri Weepu
N8
8
Kieran Read
OF
7
Richie McCaw
(c
)
BF
6
Jerome Kaino
RL
5
Samuel Whitelock
LL
4
Brad Thorn
TP
3
Owen Franks
HK
2
Keven Mealamu
LP
1
Tony Woodcock
Replacements:
HK
16
Andrew Hore
PR
17
Ben Franks
N8
18
Ali Williams
FL
19
Adam Thomson
FH
20
Andy Ellis
FH
21
Stephen Donald
CE
22
Sonny Bill Williams
Coach:
Graham Henry
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
and Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
and concluded on 23 October with the final
2011 Rugby World Cup Final
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Final was a rugby union match between France and New Zealand, the final match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It was played on Sunday, 23 October 2011 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, and was won 8–7 by New Zealand, who thus won the World Cup.The New Zealand All Blacks...
at Eden Park
Eden Park
Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
New Zealand were the first team to qualify for the knockout stage, when they beat France 37–17 in their penultimate Pool A game. New Zealand and France re-encountered in the final, that was won by the local team 8–7. This was a rematch of the '87 final
1987 Rugby World Cup Final
The 1987 Rugby World Cup Final was the final match in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, the first Rugby World Cup played.It was played at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on 20 June 1987 between the hosts New Zealand and France...
also in Eden Park and also won by New Zealand. This way, New Zealand got their second title, while France their third final.
For the first time in World Cup history, 3 teams that finished 2nd in their respective pools qualified for the Semi-Finals, while South Africa became the 2nd defending champions not to reach the Semi-Finals after Australia in 1995.
Furthermore, the bottom half of the bracket was composed of the 2012 Four Nations teams and the other half was composed of the last four 6 Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
champions since the last World Cup.
Summary
Ireland vs Wales
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
Man of the Match: Mike Phillips Mike Phillips (rugby player) William Michael "Mike" Phillips is a Welsh international rugby union rugby player who plays at scrum-half for Bayonne.-Personal life:... (Wales Welsh Rugby Union The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the... ) Touch judges: Wayne Barnes Wayne Barnes Wayne Barnes is an English international rugby union referee. He was educated at Whitecross School in Lydney, where he was head boy, Monmouth School and at the University of East Anglia. He became a professional referee in April 2005, giving up a career in law to do so... (England Rugby Football Union The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886... ) Romain Poite Romain Poite Romain Poite is a French rugby union international referee. He made his World Cup debut in 2007 during the match between Ireland and Namibia. He also officiated during three games in the 2009 Six Nations Championship. He refereed his first Six Nations match in 2010.-Notes and references:... (France) Television match official: Giulio de Santis (Italy) |
----
England vs France
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
Man of the Match: Imanol Harinordoquy Imanol Harinordoquy Imanol Harinordoquy is a French rugby union player who typically plays as a number 8 for Biarritz at club level in the Top 14 and for France internationally... (France) Touch judges: Alain Rolland Alain Rolland Alain Colm Pierre Rolland is an Irish rugby union referee and former player.During his playing days as a scrum-half, Rolland earned three caps for . He started the match on 27 October 1990 against , and gained further caps as a replacement against in 1994 and the USA in 1995. He won 40 provincial... (Ireland Irish Rugby Football Union The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played... ) George Clancy George Clancy George Clancy was an Irish nationalist politician and Mayor of Limerick. He was shot dead by the Auxiliary Police in 1921 during the Anglo-Irish conflict . The previous Mayor, Michael O'Callaghan, was murdered on the same night by the same group.Clancy was born at Grange, County Limerick... (Ireland Irish Rugby Football Union The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played... ) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board... ) |
----
South Africa vs Australia
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
Man of the Match: David Pocock (Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... ) Touch judges: Dave Pearson Dave Pearson (rugby) Dave Pearson is an English rugby union referee. He is on the International Rugby Board's list of 17 international referees for the 2009/10 season. Pearson officiated the first test match between Argentina and Scotland in June 2010. David Pearson also refereed France V Ireland in the 2011 six... (England Rugby Football Union The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886... ) Romain Poite Romain Poite Romain Poite is a French rugby union international referee. He made his World Cup debut in 2007 during the match between Ireland and Namibia. He also officiated during three games in the 2009 Six Nations Championship. He refereed his first Six Nations match in 2010.-Notes and references:... (France) Television match official: Giulio de Santis (Italy) |
----
New Zealand vs Argentina
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
Man of the Match: Piri Weepu Piri Weepu Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004... (New Zealand) Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan Jonathan Kaplan Jonathan Kaplan is an American film producer and director.Kaplan was born in Paris, France. He is the son of film composer Sol Kaplan and actress Frances Heflin; the nephew of actor Van Heflin. He is the brother of actresses Nora Heflin and Mady Kaplan... (South Africa South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board... ) George Clancy George Clancy George Clancy was an Irish nationalist politician and Mayor of Limerick. He was shot dead by the Auxiliary Police in 1921 during the Anglo-Irish conflict . The previous Mayor, Michael O'Callaghan, was murdered on the same night by the same group.Clancy was born at Grange, County Limerick... (Ireland Irish Rugby Football Union The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played... ) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board... ) |
Wales vs France
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
Man of the Match: Julien Bonnaire Julien Bonnaire Julien Bonnaire is a French rugby union footballer, who played for CS Bourgoin-Jallieu in the Top 14 competition in France until the 2006–2007 season... (France) Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan Jonathan Kaplan Jonathan Kaplan is an American film producer and director.Kaplan was born in Paris, France. He is the son of film composer Sol Kaplan and actress Frances Heflin; the nephew of actor Van Heflin. He is the brother of actresses Nora Heflin and Mady Kaplan... (South Africa South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board... ) Wayne Barnes Wayne Barnes Wayne Barnes is an English international rugby union referee. He was educated at Whitecross School in Lydney, where he was head boy, Monmouth School and at the University of East Anglia. He became a professional referee in April 2005, giving up a career in law to do so... (England Rugby Football Union The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886... ) Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy) |
----
Australia vs New Zealand
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
Man of the Match: Cory Jane Cory Jane Cory Steven Jane is a New Zealand international rugby union player.He first played for the All Blacks in 2008 and plays as a winger. In 2011 Jane was selected into the Tri Nations team as injury cover... (New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... ) Touch judges: Nigel Owens Nigel Owens Nigel Owens is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He is an international and Heineken Cup referee and was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.... (Wales Welsh Rugby Union The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the... ) Romain Poite Romain Poite Romain Poite is a French rugby union international referee. He made his World Cup debut in 2007 during the match between Ireland and Namibia. He also officiated during three games in the 2009 Six Nations Championship. He refereed his first Six Nations match in 2010.-Notes and references:... (France) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board... ) |
Wales vs Australia
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
Man of the Match: Berrick Barnes Berrick Barnes Berrick Barnes is an Australian rugby union footballer with the NSW Waratahs in the Super Rugby competition. His usual position is fly-half or inside centre and he previously played for the Queensland Reds.... (Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... ) Touch judges: Romain Poite Romain Poite Romain Poite is a French rugby union international referee. He made his World Cup debut in 2007 during the match between Ireland and Namibia. He also officiated during three games in the 2009 Six Nations Championship. He refereed his first Six Nations match in 2010.-Notes and references:... (France) George Clancy George Clancy George Clancy was an Irish nationalist politician and Mayor of Limerick. He was shot dead by the Auxiliary Police in 1921 during the Anglo-Irish conflict . The previous Mayor, Michael O'Callaghan, was murdered on the same night by the same group.Clancy was born at Grange, County Limerick... (Ireland) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa South African Rugby Union The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board... ) |
France vs New Zealand
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> | ||||||
France | ||||||
FB | 15 | Maxime Médard Maxime Médard Maxime Médard is a French rugby union player who plays his club rugby for French club Stade Toulousain in Top 14 and France internationally. He can play as both a fullback and on the wing and is described by assistant national team coach Emile Ntamack as an "incredible talent" that, during the... |
||||
RW | 14 | Vincent Clerc Vincent Clerc Vincent Clerc is a French rugby union player who plays on the wing.-Biography:Born in the city of Échirolles, suburb of the south of Grenoble , Clerc first played rugby at FC Grenoble, helping them reach the Top 16 before moving to Toulouse in 2002, where he has been playing ever since... |
||||
OC | 13 | Aurélien Rougerie Aurélien Rougerie Aurélien Rougerie plays on the wing and Centre for France and captains ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14.-Career:Rougerie was born in Beaumont, Puy-de-Dôme... |
||||
IC | 12 | Maxime Mermoz Maxime Mermoz Maxime Mermoz is a professional rugby union centre currently playing for USA Perpignan in the Top 14.Mermoz won the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship. He earned his first cap for the senior France national team on July 5, 2008 against Australia. He made his Six Nations in 2009 debut against... |
||||
LW | 11 | Alexis Palisson Alexis Palisson Alexis Palisson is a French rugby union footballer. He plays as a fullback and wing. He is 1.76m tall and weighs just 83 kg.... |
||||
FH | 10 | Morgan Parra Morgan Parra Morgan Parra is a rugby union player who plays as a Scrum half and occasionally Fly-half. He plays for Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 after signing for them from Bourgoin.... |
||||
SH | 9 | Dimitri Yachvili Dimitri Yachvili Dimitri Yachvili is a French rugby union footballer who currently plays scrum-half for Biarritz and France.Of Georgian descent, his father Michel was a French international before him... |
||||
N8 | 8 | Imanol Harinordoquy Imanol Harinordoquy Imanol Harinordoquy is a French rugby union player who typically plays as a number 8 for Biarritz at club level in the Top 14 and for France internationally... |
||||
OF | 7 | Julien Bonnaire Julien Bonnaire Julien Bonnaire is a French rugby union footballer, who played for CS Bourgoin-Jallieu in the Top 14 competition in France until the 2006–2007 season... |
||||
BF | 6 | Thierry Dusautoir Thierry Dusautoir Thierry Dusautoir is a French rugby union player who currently plays for France at international level and Toulouse in the French Top 14 club competition. Dusautoir is a strong ball carrier with good speed and strength to get out of tackles.Dusautoir was born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire... (c Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field... ) |
||||
RL | 5 | Lionel Nallet Lionel Nallet Lionel Nallet is a French rugby union player who currently plays at lock for Racing Métro 92 in the French Top 14 club competition and is a former captain of the France national team. He began his professional career with CS Bourgoin-Jallieu, playing there from 1998 to 2003 before moving to... |
||||
LL | 4 | Pascal Papé Pascal Papé Pascal Papé is a French rugby union footballer.He plays lock and has joined Stade Français after spending many years in Bourgoin, and playing two years at Castres Olympique... |
||||
TP | 3 | Nicolas Mas Nicolas Mas Nicolas Mas is a Catalan/French rugby union footballer, who currently plays for the USA Perpignan club in the Top 14 French premiership. His usual position is at prop. He also plays for the French national team.... |
||||
HK | 2 | William Servat William Servat William Servat is a French rugby union footballer who plays as a hooker for France and Toulouse in the Top 14 club competition.-Club career:... |
||||
LP | 1 | Jean-Baptiste Poux Jean-Baptiste Poux Jean-Baptiste Poux is a French rugby union footballer who plays as a prop, and is capable of playing on either side of the scrum. He currently plays for Toulouse in the Top 14 rugby competition... |
||||
Replacements: | ||||||
HK | 16 | Dimitri Szarzewski Dimitri Szarzewski Dimitri Szarzewski is a French rugby union footballer, currently playing for Stade Français in the Top 14 club championship in France. His usual position is at hooker, and he has represented France.... |
||||
PR | 17 | Fabien Barcella Fabien Barcella Fabien Barcella is a French rugby union player, currently playing for Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14 league in France. He also plays for France.- Domestic Clubs :... |
||||
LK | 18 | Julien Pierre Julien Pierre Julien Pierre is a French rugby union player for Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14. He plays as a lock.He won his first cap on France's 2007 tour of New Zealand. He previously played for Bourgoin and La Rochelle.-External links: *... |
||||
FL | 19 | Fulgence Ouedraogo Fulgence Ouedraogo Fulgence Ouedraogo is a French rugby union footballer. He currently plays for Montpellier Hérault RC in the Top 14 championship. His usual position is as a flanker.... |
||||
SH | 20 | Jean-Marc Doussain Jean-Marc Doussain Jean-Marc Doussain is a French rugby union fly half. He plays club rugby for Stade Toulousain and has appeared for the French national U20 side... |
||||
FH | 21 | Francois Trinh-Duc François Trinh-Duc François Trinh-Duc is a French rugby union player for Montpellier Hérault RC in France's top division of rugby union, the Top 14. Trinh-Duc's regular position is at fly-half or outside centre.-Biography:... |
||||
FB | 22 | Damien Traille Damien Traille Damien Traille is a French rugby union footballer. His usual position is in the centre, fly-half and fullback. He currently plays for Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14 club competition in France... |
||||
Coach: | ||||||
Marc Lièvremont Marc Lièvremont Marc Lièvremont is a former rugby union footballer and was the head coach of the French national rugby union team. He played as a back-row forward for France, gaining 25 caps from 1995 to 1999, and was selected in France's 1999 Rugby World Cup squad... |
Israel Dagg
Israel Dagg is a World Cup winning New Zealand Rugby union player who plays for the Crusaders in the Super 15 and the All Blacks. He has also played for the New Zealand Sevens team. He is of Maori descent, on his mother's side....
Cory Jane
Cory Steven Jane is a New Zealand international rugby union player.He first played for the All Blacks in 2008 and plays as a winger. In 2011 Jane was selected into the Tri Nations team as injury cover...
Conrad Smith
Conrad Gerard Smith is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is a midfield back and plays outside centre . He had been in many Taranaki age group teams. He moved to Wellington where he completed an LLB at Victoria University of Wellington...
Ma'a Nonu
Ma'a Allan Nonu is a professional Samoan rugby union player from New Zealand. Nonu plays for the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and the New Zealand All Blacks...
Richard Kahui
Richard Kahui is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.-Career:Kahui plays in the position of Centre. He plays for Waikato in the Air New Zealand Cup and made his Super 14 debut in 2006 with the Highlanders. Kahui was the top try scorer of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup...
Aaron Cruden
Aaron Cruden is a World Cup winning New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays for Manawatu Turbos in the National Provincial Championship, Chiefs in the Super 15 Competition and is an All Blacks international. Cruden's position is first five-eighth/fly-half...
Piri Weepu
Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004...
Kieran Read
Kieran Read is a rugby union player for the Crusaders in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a blind-side flanker or No.8, but has the ability and height to play in the lock position...
Richie McCaw
Richard Hugh "Richie" McCaw is a New Zealand rugby union player, and is the current test captain. He plays in the openside flanker position for the New Zealand, Crusaders and Canterbury rugby teams...
(c
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
)
Jerome Kaino
Jerome Kaino is a professional New Zealand Rugby union player. In 2004, he was named IRB International Under-21 player of the year.-Early life:...
Brad Thorn
Bradley Carnegie Thorn is a professional rugby union player. He has in the past represented Australia at rugby league, and currently represents New Zealand in union...
Owen Franks
Owen Franks is a New Zealand rugby player who plays for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and the All Blacks at international level.-Early Career:He attended Christchurch Boys' High School. His local rugby club is Linwood...
Keven Mealamu
Keven Mealamu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays at hooker for the Blues in the Super 14, Auckland in the National Provincial Championship, and the New Zealand national team, All Blacks....
Tony Woodcock (rugby player)
Tony Dale Woodcock is a New Zealand rugby union player. His position is loosehead prop, and he has played 83 tests for the national team, the All Blacks. He plays for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup and for the Auckland Blues in the Super 14. He plays for North Harbour Marist in the North...
Andrew Hore
For the rugby union coach from New Zealand see Andrew Hore Andrew Hore is a rugby union player who plays for Taranaki in the ITM Cup. He has played for the All Blacks since 2002, in which time he has played 48 tests. His position is hooker...
Ben Franks
Ben Franks is a rugby union player for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and All Blacks. He plays as a prop.-Provincial:Franks made his provincial debut for Canterbury against Otago in 2005...
Ali Williams
Alexander James "Ali" Williams is a New Zealand rugby union player at the position of lock. He represented Auckland and plays for the Blues in the Super 14, when he signed for the Tasman provincial side. In 2008, he played for the Crusaders in the Super 14 and in 2010 signed on loan for Nottingham...
Adam Thomson
Adam Thomson is an Australian rules footballer who played for Port Adelaide and Richmond in the Australian Football League .-Career:...
Stephen Donald
Stephen Donald is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays at First five-eighth or Second five-eighth. Despite an international career that had not lived up to expectations, Donald, aka 'The Beaver', kicked the winning penalty in the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 for New Zealand...
Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny William 'Sonny Bill' Williams is a New Zealand rugby union player and former rugby league player. He is only the second person to represent New Zealand in rugby union after first playing for the country in rugby league. In rugby union he usually plays as a centre...
Graham Henry
Graham Henry is a New Zealand Rugby Union coach, and former head coach of the country's national team, the All Blacks. He played rugby union for Canterbury and cricket for Otago in the Plunket Shield. Henry was heavily criticized following the All Blacks quarterfinal exit at the 2007 Rugby World...
Man of the Match: Thierry Dusautoir Thierry Dusautoir Thierry Dusautoir is a French rugby union player who currently plays for France at international level and Toulouse in the French Top 14 club competition. Dusautoir is a strong ball carrier with good speed and strength to get out of tackles.Dusautoir was born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire... (France) Touch judges: Alain Rolland Alain Rolland Alain Colm Pierre Rolland is an Irish rugby union referee and former player.During his playing days as a scrum-half, Rolland earned three caps for . He started the match on 27 October 1990 against , and gained further caps as a replacement against in 1994 and the USA in 1995. He won 40 provincial... (Ireland Irish Rugby Football Union The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played... ) Nigel Owens Nigel Owens Nigel Owens is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He is an international and Heineken Cup referee and was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.... (Wales Welsh Rugby Union The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the... ) Television match official: Giulio de Santis (Italy) |