Best-laid plans need to be flexible as Rugby World Cup reaches crunch time | Ben Ryan

For South Africa, Australia and Ireland it is a case of tweaking blueprints having already scrutinised every tournament detailJamie Joseph, Japan’s head coach, talked about planning for the Ireland game over two years ago. Eddie Jones has taken England on tour to Japan to have a dry run for the big show and the red rose also played short turnaround fixtures to replicate what they would face in the real thing. Planning doesn’t often get the headlines but it is crucial to deliver the foundations of the performances you want and with seven games for the final four in various destinations at vario…