Rugby World Cup round-up as Ronaldo honoured and England's rivals send message
The Rugby World Cup is in full swing and the action keeps on coming in France on weekend two.
England are preparing to face Japan in their next match, with Steve Borthwick's men aiming to make it back-to-back wins following their opening victory over Uruguay. The biggest news in the lead-up to Sunday night's clash is that boss Borthwick has selected Northampton's Lewis Ludlam over Billy Vunipola to replace banned flanker Tom Curry after his controversial red card last time out.
Wales and Ireland were both in action on Saturday, hoping to follow up on their own good starts when facing Portugal and Tonga respectively. We also received an update on Namibia's Le Roux Malan, whose horrific injury against the All Blacks marred Friday's action.
Here are your latest key stories from France.
Ronaldo honoured by Wales star
Louis Rees-Zammit performed Cristiano Ronaldo's signature Siuu celebration after scoring the try which set Wales on their way to World Cup victory. But it was Ronaldo's country who won the hearts of neutrals Warren Gatland's side were given an unexpectedly tough workout in Nice.
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Ultimately, a much-changed Welsh team had enough to maintain their winning start and hand their Kiwi coach a record 17th career World Cup win. Rees-Zammit, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Toby Faletau crossed to give them a bonus point win which puts them five clear of Australia in Pool C.
But how Wales were made to toil by a minnow rugby nation carrying Ronaldo’s best wishes into only their second World Cup.
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Wales star Louis Rees-Zammit emulated Cristiano Ronaldo (David Rogers/Getty Images)Nambia provide Malan update
Le Roux Malan has undergone surgery after fracturing and dislocating his ankle against New Zealand, Namibia have confirmed. The 24-year-old's World Cup was ended prematurely after slipping while trying to tackle All Blacks full-back Beauden Barrett during his side's 71-3 defeat against in Toulouse.
"From a physical point of view, he was operated on last night," Namibia head coach Allister Coetzee explained. "There is a fracture and a dislocation, so it is quite tough for him. He had a very successful operation, according to the doctor."
Le Roux Malan suffered a sickening injury when facing New Zealand on Friday (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)Somoa start with a bang
England's Pool D opponents, Somoa, finally got their World Cup campaign underway with a bonus-point victory over Chile, winning 43-10. Samoa took an early lead through Christian Leali'ifano's penalty but Chile managed to score the first try of the game when Matias Dittus went over and Santiago Videla converted.
Despite being reduced to 14 men when Ulupano Seuteni was shown sin-binned, Somoa pressed on and eventually ran out comfortable winners to go top of Pool D. England don't face Somoa until Saturday, October 7, with winless Chile up first next weekend.
Ireland cruise to victory
Ireland made it two victories from two by overcoming Tonga in Nantes on Saturday night, with star Bundee Aki going top of the try-scoring charts with four. Having bagged a double against Romania, the New Zealand-born centre picked up another two as he helped the Irish win 59-16.
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