Ireland, japan, Scotland, Samoa and Russia face off together with both sides that are highest-ranked, in Pool A – Ireland and Scotland – confronting each other in week .
Four decades ago, the world shocked by defeating South Africa in England. They’ll sponsor the showpiece of rugby and seem to generate a this month.
Below we have a look at every state’s 31-man squad, choose an integral participant to focus on, go through present form and provide all the pool 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. Even the second row has developed into the performer within the Ireland squad. His work at the loose and in ruck time is crucial to Ireland’s attacking stage play and defensive sets. Together with Devin Toner omitted from the squad, Ryan will have to measure up more in the lineout.
Current form as the No 1 ranked side in the entire world for the very first time in 36, even though enduring a much tougher 2019 than 2018, Ireland head to the World Cup. Last year saw them beat all since they gained a Six Nations Grand Slam, series success in Australia and conquer the All Blacks. This season, they have suffered heavy defeats to Wales and England (double ), with their general form and confidence rocked. Their closing Cup triumph over Wales in Dublin was remarkable though and will offer them a pep in their step heading into Japan.
31-man 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 trainer: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Stuart McInally (29 Tests)
Previous Rugby World Cup best: Semi-finals (1991)
Key participant: Finn Russell. When Russell is on shape, Scotland really are a dangerous side and hard to contain. His speed, passing capability off hand and propensity to step through the lineup make him a attacking threat. The kind of maverick gift which he is means when he’s off his game, so also invariably are Scotland.
Present form: somewhat like Ireland, Scotland will look back to 2018 more lovingly than 2019. At the formerthey conquer England, France, Argentina (home and away) and Fiji, while also giving the Springboks a fantastic go. While also drawing from the jaws of a success at Twickenham with England to Wales, France and Ireland, they’ve lost in 2019. Using a loss in France, matters couldn’t have started worse in the warm-ups, but they recovered to beat France at Georgia and home house and away. All in all, their form is really a mixed bag.
World Cup group:
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 player: Michael Leitch. Not only their skipper, Leitch is the best player of Japan, with breakdown skills his game and work superb. He’s an integral leader with this group, and was fundamental in the decision making four decades ago to dismiss the chance of a draw for a shot at beating against the Boks – the greatest upset the sport has ever witnessed.
Form: Actually, the form over the last few years past Tier 1 opposition of Japan does not make for great reading. Bar one victory over Italy they’ve been soundly beaten by New Zealand, England and South Africa – although there is no shame in defeat – although having dropped in another Test against Italy. They have beaten Tonga, Fiji, Georgia, Russia and Italy. Will Scotland and Ireland jolt?
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 need to hear Pat Lam and Eddie Jones talk about Vui to know the talent the lock possesses. Indeed, the phrase’world class’ has been utilized. Power and dexterous hands, he is a superb player.
Form: Not so good. Over the last two years, the countries they’ve crushed are Spain, Germany and Tonga. They have dropped to Fiji (double ), Tonga, Georgia, the USA (twice) and Australia. But with most of the players in now, they might come this World Cup.
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)
Previous Rugby World Cup best: Pool point (2011)
Key player: Andrei Ostrikov. The lock has experience of performing for Agen in France and Sale Sharks in England in which he showcased between 2011 and 2019, also is one of only two Russia players to ply their trade out of the nation. He’s signed for Best 14 club Grenoble for the forthcoming season.
Form: This month’s showpiece is only going to be Russia World Cup participation, having formerly featured without victory in 2011, failing to qualify in 2015. Their kind dropped to the likes of Jersey Reds and Connacht, and is abysmal, with shipped 85 points to Italy from the accumulation. The championship against Japan opens on Friday.
31-man 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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