Romania's star turn

The Rugby World Cup produced a beautifully touching moment this week when members of the Romania squad visited a children's hospital (pictured) to sign some balls, have a chat and, wonderfully, ask the children for their autographs. "Today it's not us who are the stars - it's you," was the message.

Shirt swap gives Whitelock - and Uruguay - goosebumps

Meeting your heroes can be hard. Having to front up and take them on physically for 80-plus minutes in front of an audience of millions would appear to be enough to make even the bravest crumble. But the men of Uruguay more than managed it and got their just rewards soon after. 

"It's just a dream. I've been watching the All Blacks all my life," centre Juan Manuel Alonso said after the game, before revealing the biggest highlight of all. "[Sam] Whitelock came to say some words, we gave him a 150-cap [commemorative Uruguay] shirt. He gave a speech - that was really, really nice. He said he never expected to play one cap and now he's played 150 and he had goosebumps and he was really proud of our World Cup. It's really an honour for us to play someone like that." 

With the haka having given the young back "goosebumps" of his own and had his friends besides themselves after he sent them selfies with Whitelock, Savea and all, Alonso said he will "never forget" the first ever official test between his nation and New Zealand.

Springboks say goodbye to their French home away from home

The South African squad have been signing a mascot in their team hotel near Toulon as they said goodbye to their home away from home in France.

The Springboks were based in the hotel in Les Sablettes on the outskirts of Toulon when they arrived for the tournament, and returned there at the end of their group-stage campaign.

On Monday the defending champions headed to Paris to take on France in the quarter-finals, but made sure to leave a memory behind to thank the locals who made them feel so welcome thus far - even if the entire nation's warm welcome will likely expire sometime around 9pm on Sunday night when they take the field against Les Bleus.

Trevor Nyakane, pictured, is expecting a 'loud and intimidating' atmosphere at Stade de France this weekend.

Farrell squared

England's Owen Farrell became the men's team's all-time leading scorer against Samoa and there is one supporter for whom 'Faz' will always been top of the standings - his son. 

England rugby uploaded a video of Farrell junior standing to watch the penalty which took his dad beyond Jonny Wilkinson's points tally. As it sailed over the bar, Farrell's son is seen lifting his arms in celebration.