The quietest week of rugby happenings in the lead-up to the World Cup has almost passed us by. Andrew Mulligan has been keeping an eye on things.

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

All Blacks' second-five will miss tonight's flight to London after he fell ill before the side's departure for the Rugby World Cup.

One possibility will loom large over pool play at the World Cup and engender an unwanted case of deja vu among Kiwi fans.

A petition has been launched calling for employers to change their standard working hours to allow employees to catch Rugby World Cup matches.

For every player from Fiji, Samoa or Tonga who makes a better life for themselves, many more find themselves in serious difficulties.

Things began awkwardly and ended in bitterness.

Academics have contributed professional advice to give the All Blacks the edge they need to bring the Rugby World Cup home.

British anti-doping chiefs could contact French prosecutors to see if their doping investigation involves players who might be competing in the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby fans heading over to London for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, due to kick off in just over nine days, can expect to arrive in a city full of colour and brimming with tournament excitement.

The Rugby World Cup begins in just under 10 days time, and there are plenty of records which are set to tumble.

With less than two weeks until the start of the Rugby World Cup, Chris Rattue ranks where the nations stand heading into the big event.

It was an epic mis-match as Mike Catt was confronted by the snorting power of Jonah Lomu, the All Blacks enormous left wing.

But at least they escape the extravagant descriptions afforded to partners of players from other nations.

The ABs will come under enormous pressure both physically and mentally at the World Cup and it's part of the reason why they've focused on increased physicality.

Sir Clive Woodward has claimed France would have won the 2011 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks if the match was 'refereed properly'.

It only took 10 minutes for Australia to burst New Zealand's bubble in the 2003 semifinal.

It was quite a sight - Alex Wyllie and John Hart playing doubles tennis together before the All Blacks 1991 World Cup quarter-final in Lille.

Dedicated All Black fans could spend almost $50,000 following around the UK during this year's Rugby World Cup.

Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup because of a knee injury.

Stand-in Wallabies skipper James Slipper has invited England and Wales to target the Wallaby scrum at their peril in the upcoming World Cup pool games.

The Super Rugby final remains a painful memory for Hurricanes first five Beauden Barrett, but the lessons could be beneficial.

An age gap of 20 years separates the oldest and the youngest rugby players heading to the World Cup.

There are 12 countries at the Rugby World Cup who will have a New Zealand influence.

A captains' embrace, an unhappy alliance, and a rampaging youngster who became the face of the game are defining images of past campaigns.