Your Cookies. Your Choice.
Cookies help provide our news service while also enabling the advertising needed to fund this work. We categorise cookies as Necessary, Performance (used to analyse the site performance) and Targeting (used to target advertising which helps us keep this service free).We and our vendors process data for the following purposes:
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
Cookies Preference Centre
Manage Consent Preferences
Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Store and/or access information on a device 109 partners can use this purpose
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development 141 partners can use this purpose
Use limited data to select advertising 111 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Create profiles for personalised advertising 83 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Use profiles to select personalised advertising 83 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Create profiles to personalise content 38 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Use profiles to select personalised content 34 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Measure advertising performance 132 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Measure content performance 60 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources 74 partners can use this purpose
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Develop and improve services 83 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Use limited data to select content 38 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
Use precise geolocation data 46 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification 27 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Ensure security, prevent and detect fraud, and fix errors 90 partners can use this special purpose
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Deliver and present advertising and content 97 partners can use this special purpose
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Match and combine data from other data sources 72 partners can use this feature
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Link different devices 53 partners can use this feature
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Identify devices based on information transmitted automatically 86 partners can use this feature
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
Save and communicate privacy choices 68 partners can use this special purpose
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
Cookie List
The Score's team of the Rugby World Cup
BEFORE WE GO about the contentious business of actually naming the 15 players we consider to have exemplified the requirements of their various positions during this World Cup, it’s worth making a couple of early revelations.
Dan Carter is not here. Neither is Francois Steyn.
Each was afforded the opportunity to gesture towards their world-beating talent in the tournament’s early stages, but neither really succeeded in showcasing their full range against competitive opposition (and yes, that is intended to demean France’s first performance against the All Blacks).
Now…
15. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
One of the few inclusions about which there can surely be little debate. Threatening the opposition line with nigh-on every spell in possession, the 23-year-old hasn’t just announced himself as a worth successor to Mils Muliaina, but staked a strong claim to Player of the Tournament honours. Honourable mention: Rob Kearney (Ireland)
14. Vincent Clerc (France)
Les Bleus have looked tentative and directionless for long spells during this tournament, but Clerc’s trademark ruthlessness and opportunism appear to have eluded the Lièvremont Effect. He’s already bagged six tries, including a crucial last-minute score against Tonga that guaranteed his side’s place in the quarter-finals. Honourable mention: James O’Connor (Australia)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
Though lacking in the explosiveness that characterises a number of our other standouts, Ashley-Cooper has made a game-changing virtue of his quiet diligence. Tireless in defence and economical in attack, he’s become the stable point about which the Wallabies’ back line orients itself. Honourable mention: Conrad Smith (New Zealand)
12. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)
He has the hair of a Predator and has proven about as difficult to stop over the course of this World Cup. If you were planning to build a world-class inside-centre, his unique blend of tactical nous, pace and brute strength would offer a template. Honourable mention: Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)
11. George North (Wales)
He might only be 19 years old, but at 6’3” and nearly 100kg, the Welsh winger possesses a rare genetic gift. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, it’s also allied to an advanced awareness of the game, meaning his speciality– running over people– comes particularly easily. Honourable mention: Digby Ioane (Australia)
10. Morgan Parra (France) [Captain]
Whoa, hear me out! Yes, he’s really a scrum-half; yes, he’s small; yes, the No10 he’s keeping out of the side is probably better; but the absence of Dan Carter has left this tournament with a dearth of talent at stand-off, and while Parra’s proven a merely adequate strategic kicker, his place-kicking has been exemplary. Plus, his unswerving self-confidence is never anything less than a boon to those around him. Honourable mention: Rhys Priestland (Wales)
9. Will Genia (Australia)
Unquestionably the finest scrum-half in Test rugby, Genia isn’t just a reliably accurate passer of the ball, but a dynamic runner with a talent for punishing defences that give him anything less than constant attention. Honourable mention: Mike Phillips (Wales)
David Pocock: Master of deception (Barry Aldworth/Sports Inc/Press Association Images)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
Describing Parisse as “world class” has become something of a cliche in recent weeks, but its a label his titanic performances can’t but encourage. Having laboured for years in one of rugby’s least imaginative sides, he deserves all the attention he’s receiving. Honourable mention: Toby Faletau (Wales)
7. David Pocock (Australia)
He’s a youngster by international standards, but Pocock can call upon an array of skills a 20-year Test veteran would be proud to call his own. An unstoppable ball-carrier when he’s allowed to build momentum, the openside also has a McCaw-like ability to read referees and “fall” in the most inconvenient of places. Honourable mention: Sam Warburton (Wales)
6. Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
The All Blacks’ blindside is both a brutally effective ball carrier and a hard-hitting omnipresence at the breakdown. With four tries to his name in the tournament to date, don’t be surprised if he makes the difference on Sunday. Honourable mention: Stephen Ferris (Ireland)
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
His performance against Australia, when he steered a dominant pack to arguably the most impressive win in Irish rugby history, will stand as an enduring testament to his class. According to television (that never lies), full-fat milk has been the key to his longevity. Honourable mention: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
4. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
He’s big (6’6”), he’s hairy and, come lineout time, he will not be stopped. Matfield’s days as a Springbok may be numbered, but he’s still every bit as imposing as he was when made his debut a decade ago… so we’re going to play him slightly out of position. Honourable mention: Richie Gray (Scotland)
3. Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy)
The inclusion of the Italian tighthead makes our pack a particularly hirsute one, but who’d want to be without his scrummaging prowess and unkempt air of mystery. Honourable mention: Adam Jones (Wales)
2. Mario Ledesma Arocena (Argentina)
An incredible 38 years of age, Ledesma’s a reliable set-piece performer and skilled tactician. His real strength, however, lies in his ability to offer leadership and inspiration to those around him. Honourable mention: William Servat (France)
1. Cian Healy (Ireland)
Mobile in a way few props are, Healy at his best is a rampaging dynamo of offensive and defensive effort. Better still, the World Cup hinted that he’s outgrown his occasional bout of indiscipline. Honourable mention: Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
What do you think?
Three reasons why France can beat the All Blacks>
As it happened: Champions League Wednesday>
‘I’m looking forward to a very bad hangover’ — Clarke and McIlroy miss out in Bermuda>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Adam Ashley-Cooper Adam Jones Cian Healy Conrad Smith David Pocock Digby Ioane George North Israel Dagg James O'Connor Jerome Kaino Ma'a Nonu Mario Ledesma Arocena Martin Castrogiovanni Mike Phillips Morgan Parra Paul O'Connell Rhys Priestland Richie Gray Rob Kearney Rugby Rugby Union Rugby World Cup RWC2011 Sam Warburton Sam Whitelock Sonny Bill Williams Stephen Ferris Toby Faletau Tony Woodcock Tough Calls Victor Matfield Vincent Clerc Will Genia William Servat