3. England v. Wales clash
Anticipation for this game between the two host nations is building fast. The Daily Telegraph has published a story headlined: "Wales invasion to turn Twickenham factor on its head", in which it reported that 20,000 Welsh supporters are expected to travel to Twickenham for the game.
Gavin Mairs, the newspaper's rugby news correspondent, wrote that the influx of opposition supporters "has the potential to create one of the most febrile atmospheres in the history of the World Cup". The same newspaper also has this more light-hearted story about Prince William, the vice patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, supporting Wales to beat England, "in order to keep Harry quiet".
Other British papers, including the Guardian, Telegraph and Independent, have stories on former rugby league player Sam Burgess possibly being promoted to the English starting line-up for the Wales game. In other news, the TAB has England paying $1.27 for the win, and Wales paying $3.50. The game is being played at Twickenham at 8am on Sunday (NZ time).
4. TMO defended
Rugby World Cup organisers have backed the Television Match Official (TMO) system, after it generated a huge amount of controversy over the weekend. The officials say the accuracy that the TMO provides is of utmost importance.
The validity of the four-man panel was called into question from the very beginning of the World Cup, with some critics pointing to the fact that the opening game between England and Fiji went for over 100 minutes. "We are confident in our match official team and their ability to apply the TMO protocols," a World Rugby spokesperson told AFP. The news agency quoted World Rugby as saying that 'just 28 per cent of all stoppage time in the opening match was due to TMO'.
READ MORE: World Rugby backs TMO system
5. Teams named for Thursday morning games
• Back-rower Dominiko Waqaniburotu will miss out on Fiji's clash with the Wallabies after being suspended for one game on Monday for a dangerous tackle against English winger Jonny May in the World Cup opener.
• Japan have made eight changes from the team which beat South Africa over the weekend.
• France have named 13 changes for their game against Romania.
• There are 12 players making their debut for Scotland against Japan, with another four players having 10 caps or less.
• Australia have named Michael Hooper and David Pocock to play Fiji.
Full teams below:
• Scotland vs. Japan, 1.30am (NZ time) on Thursday morning at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester.
Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Sean Lamont, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw, David Denton, John Hardie, Ryan Wilson, Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Willem Nel, Ross Ford, Alasdair Dickinson. Reserves: Fraser Brown, Ryan Grant, Jon Welsh, Richie Gray, Josh Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Peter Horne, Sean Maitland.
Japan: Ayumu Goromaru, Kotaro Matsushima, Male Sa'u, Yu Tamura, Kenki Fukuoka, Harumichi Tatekawa, Amanaki Mafi, Michael Broadhurst, Michael Leitch, Justin Ives, Luke Thompson, Hiroshi Yamashita, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki. Reserves: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinya Makabe, Shoji Ito, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh.
• Australia vs. Fiji, 3.45am (NZ time) on Thursday morning at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Australia: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (captain), Scott Sio. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
Fiji: Metuisela Talebula, Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Nikola Matawalu, Netani Talei, Akapusi Qera (captain), Peceli Yato, Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Manasa Saulo, Tuapati Talemaitoga, Campese Ma'afu. Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Peni Ravai, Isei Colati, Nemia Soqeta, Malakai Ravulo, Nemia Kenatale, Josh Matavesi, Aseli Tikoirotuma.
• France vs. Romania, 7am (NZ time) on Thursday morning at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
France: Brice Dulin, Sofiane Guitoune, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Noa Nakaitaci, Remi Tales, Morgan Parra, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Yannick Nyanga, Aleandre Flanquart, Bernard Le Roux, Uini Antonio, Dimitri Szarzewski (captain), Vincent Debaty. Reserves: Benjamin Kayser, Eddy Ben Arous, Nicolas Mas, Yoann Maestri, Damien Chouly, Rory Kockott, Freddy Michalak, Mathieu Bastareaud.
Romania: Catalin Fercu, Madalin Lemnaru, Paula Kinikinilau, Florin Vlaicu, Adrian Apostol, Danut Dumbrava, Florin Surugiu, Mihai Macovei (captain), Viorel Lucaci, Valentin Ursache, Johan van Heerden, Valentin Poparlan, Paulica Ion, Otar Turashvili, Mihaita Lazar. Reserves: Andrei Radoi, Andrei Ursache, Horatiu Pungea, Ovidiu Tonita, Stelian Burcea, Valentin Calafeteanu, Ionut Botezatu, Csaba Gal.
6. World Rankings
There has been a shake-up in the World Rugby Rankings after the weekend's games. South Africa has dropped from third to sixth after their stunning loss to Japan, with England, Wales and Ireland all moving up one position to third, fourth and fifth respectively. Samoa moved from 12th to 10th and Japan from 13th to 11th, seeing Scotland drop to 12th.
After Georgia's upset over Tonga, they move up three places to 13th. Tonga, meanwhile, moves down to 14th. See how the Herald's Dylan Cleaver ranked the 20 nations at the Rugby World Cup following the first weekend of results here.
7. Player and team rankings
EXTRA TIME
It would be a crime to ignore the social media gold coming out of South Africa right now. Despondent Springbok fans - trying to make light of their side's incredible loss to Japan over the weekend - have been producing some amazing memes. See below for some of my favourites.
