The 2019 Rugby World Cup is the ninth Rugby World Cup and is being held in Japan from 20 September to 2 November.
The action will be spread around Japan with 48 matches in total taking place by the end of the tournament.
The twenty teams are divided into four pools of five teams. Each pool will be a single round-robin of ten games, in which each team plays one match against each of the other teams in the same pool.
Favorite teams to win the Rugby World Cup
New Zealand (Group B)
World rank: #1WC Appearances: 8
Best result: Champions 1987,2011,2015
The All Blacks are the most successful international men’s rugby side of all-time with a winning percentage of 77.41% over 580 Tests.
Since October 2003, the All Blacks have held the number one position for over 80% of the time. And as of December 2018, the All Blacks have held the number one position since 2009.
Players to watch
Beauden Barrett being a two-time World Rugby Player of the Year says all it should need to here, but it’s how he has not only professionally accepted being moved out to full-back from No 10, but that he has made himself one of the best in the world in a second position. Sevu Reece 22-year-old should come with a bright warning sign for every opposition. He possesses that special talent where you can’t take your eyes off the action when he has the ball in hand.
Head coach: Steve Hansen (New Zealand)
New Zealand warm-up games:
England (Group C)
World rank: #3WC Appearances: 8
Best result: Champions 2003
England have contested every Rugby World Cup since it began in 1987, reaching the final three times and winning in 2003.
At last World Cup, England became the first sole host nation to fail to qualify for the knockout stage, exiting the pool stage after losses to Wales and Australia.
Players to watch
England’s hopes will rest on the broad shoulders of Billy Vunipola. The formidable No 8 can ruin defences with one sweeping movement through the tiniest of gaps and there is no chance of bringing him down from behind. A lot is also expected from Maro Itoje. The 24-year-old is finally stepping foot on the global stage and expect fireworks from the imposing figure.
Head coach: Eddie Jones (Australia)
England warm-up games:
South Africa (Group B)
World rank: #5WC Appearances: 6
Best result: Champions 1995, 2007
South Africa did not participate in the 1987 and 1991 World Cups because of the sporting boycott that apartheid brought against them. At last World Cup South Africa suffered a 32–34 loss to Japan in their first pool match. This game is arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history.
Players to watch
Siya Kolisi and hooker Malcolm Marx are world-class forwards, while Willie le Roux is a sublime playmaker. Faf de Klerk injects energy at nine and is considered by many to be the best in the world.
Head coach: Rassie Erasmus (South Africa)
South Africa warm-up games:
Wales (Group B)
World rank: #2WC Appearances: 8
Best result: Third Place 1997
In the first World cup tournament in 1997 was Wales most successful. They won all three pool matches and their quarter-final, before losing to the All Blacks in the semi-finals. They then faced Australia in the third place play-off match, which they won 22–21.
A lot is expected of the men in red, who won the Six Nations Grand Slam this year.
Players to watch
Alun Wyn Jones led Wales to the Grand Slam at the 2019 Six Nations and is somehow getting better with age. Any chance Wales have will come directly through their captain.
Head coach: Warren Gatland (New Zealand)
Wales warm-up games:
Ireland (Group B)
World rank: #4WC Appearances: 8
Best result: Quarter-finals 1997, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2001, 2015
Ireland have competed at every Rugby World Cup tournament. The furthest they have progressed is the quarter-finals, which they have made six times out of eight.
Despite a slight regression from their last year form, they can beat anyone on their day thanks to world-class talent across the board.
Players to watch
Jonathan Sexton is the beating heart of Ireland at fly-half and forms a savvy half-back pairing with Conor Murray. In the pack, tighthead Tadhg Furlong is the cornerstone of the scrum.
Head coach: Joe Schmidt (New Zealand)
Ireland warm-up games:
Rugby World Cup 2019 Groups
Group A | P | W | D | L | Goals | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 210:32 | 18 | |
2 | New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 253:47 | 15 | |
3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 114:181 | 10 | |
4 | Uruguay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 65:164 | 5 | |
5 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 37:255 | 0 |
Group B | P | W | D | L | Goals | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ireland | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 190:46 | 19 | |
2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 151:34 | 15 | |
3 | Scotland | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 146:71 | 10 | |
4 | Tonga | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 96:177 | 5 | |
5 | Romania | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 32:287 | 0 |
Group C | P | W | D | L | Goals | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wales | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 143:59 | 19 | |
2 | Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 88:83 | 11 | |
3 | Australia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 90:91 | 11 | |
4 | Portugal | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 64:103 | 6 | |
5 | Georgia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64:113 | 3 |
Group D | P | W | D | L | Goals | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | England | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150:39 | 18 | |
2 | Argentina | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 127:69 | 14 | |
3 | Japan | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 109:107 | 9 | |
4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 92:75 | 7 | |
5 | Chile | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 27:215 | 0 |
Venues
World Cup is taking place in eight Chinese cities listed belllow.City | Venue |
---|---|
Sapporo - Sapporo Dome | 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo |
Kamaishi - Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium | Dai 18 Chiwari-5-1 Unosumaicho, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0301 |
Saitama - Kumagaya Rugby Ground | 810 Kamikawakami, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0004 |
Tokyo - Tokyo Stadium | 376-3 Nishimachi, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0032 |
Yokohama - International Stadium Yokohama | |
Shizuoka - Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa | 2300-1 Aino, Fukuroi, Shizuoka 437-0031 |
Osaka - Hanazono Rugby Stadium | 1 Chome-1-1 Matsubaraminami, Higashiosaka, Osaka 578-0923 |
Aichi - City of Toyota Stadium | 7 Chome-2 Sengokucho, Toyota, Aichi 471-0016 |
Kobe - Kobe Misaki Stadium | 1 Chome-2-2 Misakicho, Hyogo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 652-0855 |
Fukuoka - Hakatanomori Stadium | 2 Chome-1-1 Higashihiraokoen, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 816-0052 |
Kumamoto - Kumamoto Stadium | 2776 Hirayamamachi, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto, 861-8012 |
Oita - Oita Stadium | 1351 Yokoo, Oita, 870-0126 |