2019 Rugby World Cup
2019 has already been a memorable year for sport and this is set to continue as the Rugby World Cup kick starts later this month. The event is being held between September 20th and the 2nd of November, as the World’s best sides look to pick up the coveted trophy. This will be the ninth edition of the tournament and the first to be held in Asia, as Japan host the event. The opening match will be taking place inside the Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, Tokya. Japan are expected to provide a stunning spectacle as hosts, with fans travelling over in their numbers from around the globe.
Pool A sees Ireland take on Scotland, hosts Japan, Russia and finally Samoa. Ireland start as the strong favourites to top the group, with Scotland also expected to join them in progressing through. Both have been very well supported by punters using the casino spins offers that are available on the event. Ireland sit amongst the pre-tournament favourites, as they look to progress further than the quarter-finals, which is their best finish to date. Ireland sit second in the Rugby World rankings, with Scotland seventh.
Pool B includes New Zealand, as they look to defend their title and have been drawn against South Africa, Italy, Namibia and Canada. New Zealand are the short priced favourites to go on and lift the title, so it would be a major shock were they to fail to progress through. They are also three time winners of the competition, including the last two in both 2011 and 2015. New Zealand have long been the top ranked side in World Rugby but are possibly not as much of the force of old. South Africa sit fifth in the rankings and will be strong favourites to join New Zealand in progressing through Pool B, as both sides look a class above the other sides. South Africa are also two time winners of the competition, with their victories coming in 1995 and 2007.
England start as strong favourites to top Pool C and have been drawn against France, Argentina, United States and Tonga. England are the third ranked side in the world and are looking to win the World Cup for the second time, following their victory back in 2003. France and Argentina are then likely to be battling it out for the runner-up spot, with France the slight favourites as the eighth best side in the world based on rankings.
Pool D sees Wales take on Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay. Wales had been the top ranked side in the world earlier this season and will be hopeful they can be a major threat in Japan. They are the slight favourites to top Pool D over Australia, with both sides appearing to be far superior than the others in the group. Wales best finish in the tournament was a third placed finish back in 1987. Australia on the other hand, are two time winners of the World Cup, with their victories coming in 1991 and 1999. They are the sixth ranked side in the world and will start amongst the favourites to win the competition.