The eight quadrennial Rugby World Cup starts today in England from 18 September to 31 October. Twickenham Stadium in London will host the final. England was chosen to host the competition in July 2009, beating rival bids from Italy, Japan and South Africa. (Love this Google Doodle) Of the 20 teams competing at the 2015 World Cup, 12 of them qualified by finishing in the top three places in their pools in the 2011 World Cup. The other eight teams qualified through regional competition. Of the 20 countries that competed in the previous World Cup in 2011, there was only one change – Uruguay replaced Russia. Enough of the fine print it starts tonight in earnest with the host England taking on Fiji, im buzzing for it to start. Doesn't it feel like just yesterday it was 100 days away. If I'm honest its not the most excited I've been for rugby's show piece event, but what I can say is that come match day I will be fully kitted out and so should you. It's th

Report by Adam Bostock on the official Manchester United website. Louis van Gaal had a message for both sets of supporters ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven – to be patient with the clubs’ emerging talents. The United manager was sitting alongside 21-year-old Memphis Depay at the pre-match press conference, but the former PSV star was just one of the players namechecked by the boss when the talk turned to demographics. Specifically, van Gaal was asked by a local journalist whether fans should be concerned about the standard of the Dutch league given the increasing proliferation of young players. “No, I don’t think so,” the Reds boss replied. “The Eredivisie is very nice to watch, the tactical solutions are very nice to watch also, but of course the players are young. The Eredivisie is becoming younger and younger and that is why you have to be patient. “I also have to be patient for Memphis and the fans have to be patient

Manchester United and Liverpool will meet for the 194 th  time at Old Trafford tomorrow. A much needed fixture after the International break. Well Done to Wayne Rooney for breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record now he has his sights firmly on breaking Charlton’s record at Manchester United, and after going ten matches without a league goal Charlton's record looks safe for now. Looking back to the first three fixtures both teams had exactly the same figures only for both to lose their fourth. Both will be searching for the a win if not for bragging rights then definately to stay in touch with the leaders of the pack City. A draw wont be a train smash but it will surely be frowned upon by both sets of fans. Team News: Manchester United For me De Gea will be reinstated and Romero demoted. Michael Carrick is doubtful with a calf injury, which means that Schweinsteiger and Scheiderlin are to start in the middle. Martial will make his Old Trafford bow from the bench. Rooney has only sc

01/09/2015 19:15 UNITED STATEMENT ON DE GEA TRANSFER  via www.Manutd.com Manchester United notes Real Madrid’s statement on the attempt to sign David De Gea and sell Navas to Manchester United. The club feels compelled to provide some clarification with the following facts.  - Manchester United did not seek contact from Real Madrid for the sale of David. David is a key member of our squad and the club’s preference was not to sell. - No offer was received for David until yesterday. - At lunchtime yesterday, Real Madrid made its first offer to buy David. A deal was agreed between the clubs, which included Navas being transferred to Old Trafford. The deals were dependent on each other. - In the last several hours of the process, with Navas at the Real Madrid training ground, Real Madrid were controlling the documentation processes of David, Navas and Real Madrid. Manchester United was in control only of the documentation of Manchester United. - Manchester United sent transfer doc