Scotland, Ireland, japan, Samoa and Russia face off together with the two highest-ranked sides, in Pool A – Scotland and Ireland – confronting each other.
Four years back, Japan shocked the world by defeating South Africa from England about the biggest stage of all. They will sponsor the showpiece of rugby and look to create a first quarter-final.
Below we have a look at each state’s 31-man squad, pick a key player to concentrate on, go through present form and bring you all of the pool’s fittings…
Head coach: Joe Schmidt
Captain: Rory Best (120 caps)
Past Rugby World Cup best: Quarter-finals (1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2015)
Key player: James Ryan. The row has developed into the most crucial and constant performer within the Ireland squad. His job at the at ruck and loose time is vital both to the attacking stage drama and defensive sets of Ireland. With Devin Toner Ryan will have to measure at the lineout.
Current form as the No 1 ranked side in the entire world for the very first time in 36, despite enduring a much tougher 2019 than 2018, Ireland head into the World Cup. Last year saw them conquer all as they conquer the All Blacks in Dublin and gained series success in Australia, a Six Nations Grand Slam. This year, they have suffered heavy defeats to Wales and England (double ), with their overall form and confidence rocked. Their final Cup win over Wales in Dublin was remarkable though and will give them a pep in their step going to Japan.
World Cup group:
Forwards (17): Rory Best (c), Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Iain Henderson, Jean Kleyn Peter O’Mahony Andrew Porter, Rhys Ruddock, James Ryan, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier.
Backs (14): Bundee Aki, Joey Carbery, Jack Carty, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale.
Fixtures:
Head coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Stuart McInally (29 Tests)
Past Rugby World Cup best: Semi-finals (1991)
Key participant: Finn Russell. When Russell is online shape, Scotland hard to include and really are a side. His pace, passing capability off either propensity and hand to measure the lineup make him a super threat. The type of maverick talent which he is though, means that when he’s away from his game too regularly are Scotland.
Present form: somewhat like Ireland, Scotland will return to 2018 more lovingly than 2019. In the formerthey conquer England, France, Argentina (home and away) and Fiji, while also providing the Springboks a great go. In 2019, they’ve dropped to Wales, France and Ireland, while also drawing in the jaws of a 38-38 success at Twickenham with England. In the warm-ups, things could not have started worse with a demoralising 32-3 loss in France, but they recovered to beat France away and in the Georgia and home home. All in all is really a mixed bag.
World Cup squad:
Forwards (17): John Barclay, Simon Berghan, Fraser Brown, Scott Cummings, Allan Dell, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Stuart McInally (c), WP Nel, Gordon Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson.
Backs (14): Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Peter Horne, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Ali Price, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Duncan Taylor.
Fixtures:
Head coach: Jamie Joseph
Captain: Michael Leitch (62 caps)
Past Rugby World Cup best: Pool stage (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Key participant: Michael Leitch. Not their skipper, Leitch is the best player of Japan, with general work ethic superb, breakdown abilities and his offloading game. Hehas been central in the decision making to dismiss the prospect of a draw for a shot at beating against the Boks, and’s a key leader for this group – the upset the game has ever noticed.
Current form: Actually, the form over the past couple of years past Tier 1 resistance of Japan doesn’t make for great reading. Bar 1 victory over Italy in Oita in 2018, they’ve been beaten by New Zealand, England and South Africa – though there’s absolutely not any shame in defeat to perhaps the three World Cup favourites – although having dropped in a different Test. They’ve defeated Tonga Fiji, Georgia, Russia and Italy. Will they jolt Ireland and Scotland?
World Cup group:
Forwards (18): Michael Leitch (c), Keita Inagaki, Yusuke Kizu, Jiwon Koo, Isileli Nakajima, Asaeli Valu, Takuya Kitade, Atsushi Sakate, Shota Horie, Luke Thompson, Wimpie van der Walt, Uwe Helu, James Moore, Hendrik Tui, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Pieter Labuschagne, Kazuki Himeno, Amanaki Mafi.
Backs (13): Kaito Shigeno, Fumiaki Tanaka, Yutaka Nagare, Yu Tamura, Rikiya Matsuda, Kenki Fukuoka, Ataata Moeakiola, Lomano Lemeki, William Tupou, Ryoto Nakamura, Timothy Lafaele, Kotaro Matsushima, Ryohei Yamanaka.
Fixtures:
Head coach: Steve Jackson
Captain: Chris Vui (14 caps)
Past Rugby World Cup best: Quarter-finals (1991, 1995)
Key player: Chris Vui. You merely need to hear Pat Lam and Eddie Jones talk about Vui to understand the talent that the lock owns. Indeed, the term’world class’ has even been used. Hands and power, he is a player.
Form: Not so excellent. Over the previous two decades, the only nations they have defeated are Germany, Spain and Tonga. They’ve lost to Fiji (double ), Tonga, Georgia, the USA (twice) and Australia. But with the majority of their players in today, they might come alive that this World Cup.
31-man World Cup squad:
Forwards (17): Afaesetiti Amosa, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Piula Fa’asalele, Josh Tyrell, Chris Vui (c), Teofilo Paulo, Kane Leaupepe, Senio Toleafoa, Michael Alaalatoa, Paul Alo-Emile, James Lay, Jordan Lay, Logovi’i Mulipola, Motu Matu’u, Ray Niuia, Seilala Lam.
Backs (14): Ed Fidow, Tim Nanai-Williams, Ahsee Tuala, Belgium Tuatagaloa, Henry Taefu, Alapati Leiua, Reynold Lee-Lo, Kieron Fonotia, AJ Atatimu, Tusi Pisi, Ulupano Seuteni, Dwayne Polotaivao, Melani Matavao, Scott Malolua.
Fixtures:
Head trainer: Lyn Jones
Captain: Vasily Artemyev (88 caps)
Past Rugby World Cup best: Pool point (2011)
Key participant: Andrei Ostrikov. The lock is one of only two Russia players to ply their trade out the nation, and has experience of doing for Sale Sharks in England and Agen in France where he showcased between 2011 and 2019. He’s signed for the coming year for Best 14 club Grenoble.
Form: Last month’s showpiece will only be the second World Cup involvement of Russia, having featured in 2011 without success, failing to qualify in 2015. Their form is quite abysmal, with shipped 85 points into Italy in the build-up, and dropped to the likes of Connacht and Jersey Reds. September 20, the tournament against Japan opens on Friday.
World Cup squad:
Forwards (18): Azamat Bitiev, Andrey Garbuzov, Kirill Gotovtsev, Victor Gresev, Bogdan Fedotko, Vitaliy Zhivatov, Evgeny Matveev, Andrey Polivalov, Vladimir Podrezov, Evgeny Yelgin, Stanislav Selsky, Nikita Vavilin, Sergey Chernyshev, Tagir Gadzhiev, Roman Khodin, Andrei Ostrikov, Valery Morozov, Anton Sychev.
Backs (13): Vasily Artemyev (c), Igor Galinovsky, Kirill Golosnitsky, Vasily Dorofeev, Yuri Kushnarev, German Davydov, Dmitry Perov, Vladislav Sozonov, Dmitry Gerasimov, Ramil Gaysin, Denis Simplikevich, Vladimir Ostroushko, Sergey Yanyushkin.
Fixtures:
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