England have not played a rugby league Test at the national stadium since 1997 and now head-coach Steve McNamara and his men have their biggest challenge, when they take on Four Nations favourites Australia at Wembley on Saturday (9/2, draw 25/1, Australia 1/7 in the match betting).

Ahead of their Four Nations campaign England (7/1 Four Nations outright) have been less than convincing but head-coach Steve McNamara and his players do have the ability to cause teams problems.

The rugby union focus is rightly on Sunday’s showdown between New Zealand and France in the World Cup final, but before that there is the small matter of the third-place play-off clash as Wales and Australia go head-to-head in Auckland (Wales 11/10, draw 20/1, Australia 8/11 – 80 Minute Betting).

The expectations of a nation are one step closer to being fulfilled, as New Zealand (1/10 World Cup outright) saw off the challenge of their neighbours Australia to book their place in the final of the World Cup.

France made the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in controversial circumstances at the expense of Wales on Saturday, but will it be 1/2 outright favourites New Zealand or 7/2 shots Australia who joins them in the Eden Park showpiece on October 23?

Wales are bracing themselves for the biggest game in their rugby history on Saturday, with France standing between them and their first-ever World Cup final. It promises to be a close contest between the familiar Six Nations foes but can Warren Gatland’s side do it?

Another sensational weekend of sport has come and gone and it is time to take a look at what we may or may not have learnt from the past 48 hours of action.

Five automatic Euro 2012 finals berths, including four for group winners, and the race for places in the play-off draw will be settled on Tuesday when the nine groups conclude a final round of fixtures.

World Cup favourites New Zealand (8/13 World Cup outright) are still on course to fulfil the expectations of an entire nation by lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy, as the tournament enters the semi-final stage.

The first quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup take place on Saturday with two intriguing ties in different ways and a chance for the Northern Hemisphere to lay down a marker, before the South does battle on Sunday.