
But it's not just the rugby action that's hotting up as we approach the semi-final stages. The fair weather has thrown up a problem with the lack of rain meaning that the pitches at venues, and a number of the team training grounds have been suffering from the heat and are dry, dusty and hard.
Thankfully we've been able to rely on the local Fire Brigade who turned out to water the turf at Ravenhill this morning ahead of tonight's matches between New Zealand and England (5.30pm) and Ireland and South Africa (7.30pm) as part of their community relations programme to assit with the running of world events in the province.

The Fire Brigade water the pitches at Ravenhill
Tickets for this evening's matches at Ravenhill will be available to purchase at the gate while at Deramore Park, Samoa take on Japan at 5.30pm and Australia take on France at 7.30pm while at Shaws' Bridge, Scotland play Fiji at 5.30pm and Argentina take on Wales at 7.30pm.
