Approved: Rugby World Cup set for significant expansion

It's been reported by The Times today that 'The United States want to expand the World Cup to 24 teams, and add a last-16 stage, when they host the tournament in 2031.'

The expansion would result in an extra knock-out round with a last 16 stage prior to the quarter-finals. Read the details in full of the new format here.

World Rugby are expected to rubber-stamp the hosts of four Rugby World Cups at a two-day meeting beginning tomorrow.

Australia is due to be the main beneficiary having already been declared as the preferred candidate for the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 and the women's event in 2029.

England, having staged the women’s event in 2010, is the preferred candidate to host the Women's tournament again in 2025 with the US awarded the men’s 2031 edition.

Barnes said: "I always enjoyed refereeing players who make me smile and Andy Goode always made me smile as he made me look athletic when we were on the same pitch. The humorous players always keep you on your toes and if they get opportunity to pick you up on a slight faux pas, they will.

"I once mentioned to Andy Goode that him and his team mates were all appealing for far too many decisions and told him that it sounded like there were 15 referees on the pitch. "And you're not even in the top 10" was his reply."

Carley said: "A difficult question. When I first started refereeing in the Premiership Steve Borthwick was one of the guys who was pretty intimidating. Hs saw that everything was on ‘his terms, whether you like it or not’. He had such presence. I think you learn how to deal with people like that as a ref, but Steve Borthwick, was as tough as they come. "

Owens said: "You tend to find that when you were reffing Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer together, well, you had your work cut out!

"And then Johnny Sexton's not much better, and Dan Biggar here in Wales.

"Joe Marler, then, is always trying to be funny on the field, in a nice way. You're trying to tell yourself to be serious and he'd wink at you."

Brace said:" I think one of the toughest players I’ve refereed would be Marcel Coetzee. He’s such a physical player who never takes a backward step."