Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Next month will be a highly busy time for international competition. Involved in matches are to be countries from the world over, including those who will be World Cup opposition of both the USA and Argentina.
The USA and Argentina are two of three countries from the Americas currently confirmed as playing in RWC 2019. The third is Uruguay while Canada is chasing the final qualifying spot – Repechage Winner. An exciting yet nervous series of matches await the Canadians against Kenya, Germany, and Hong Kong next month.
England
The top seeds of Pool C are England. Eddie Jones’ team are to have four rather than the normal three home matches in November. Many possibilities could happen from this series as England host South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia on November 03, 10, and 24. The November 17 fixture will be against Japan, a team to have caused the downfall of Guy Noves in the 2017 November Internationals. None of England’s matches next month will be against RWC 2019 Pool C opponents.
| DATE | FIXTURE | VENUE | KICK-OFF |
| November 03 2018 | England vs South Africa | London | 3:00pm (Local) |
| November 10 2018 | England vs New Zealand | London | 3:00pm (Local) |
| November 17 2018 | England vs Japan | London | 3:00pm (Local) |
| November 24 2018 | England vs Australia | London | 3:00pm (Local) |
France
Les Bleus will play the traditional three home games. Also as per tradition two of these will be in Paris and one at an alternate venue. This year that venue is Lille and it will be against RWC 2019 opposition, Argentina. Either side of playing host to Los Pumas the French will play against South Africa and Fiji in Paris. It is to be a home series to analyze how well placed France are for RWC 2019. The 2015 tournament was France’s worst in history.
| DATE | FIXTURE | VENUE | KICK-OFF |
| November 10 2018 | France vs South Africa | Paris | 9:05pm |
| November 17 2018 | France vs Argentina | Lille | 9:05pm |
| November 24 2018 | France vs Fiji | Paris | 9:05pm |
Tonga
In RWC 2011 Tonga upset France. Then in RWC 2015 they lost against Georgia. This is very much a true reflection of Tonga past and present – one their day they are dangerous though they are entering RWC 2019 as the bottom seeds in their pool. In November Tonga will play test matches against Wales and Georgia and will also take-on a Tier 1 level side in the French Barbarians.
| DATE | FIXTURE | VENUE | KICK-OFF |
| November 10 2018 | French Barbarians vs Tonga | Bordeaux | 4:00pm (Local) |
| November 17 2018 | Wales vs Tonga | Cardiff | 2:30pm (Local) |
| November 24 2018 | Georgia vs Tonga | Tbilisi | tba |
USA – RWC 2019 Fixtures
The USA have been allocated fewer matches days than both England, and France. This sees three of the Eagles’ four pool matches taking place in October. The North Americans will be the final team from the pool to play their opening match. It will be against England in Kobe. After a five day turn-around the Eagles then face France in Fukuoka.
The Eagles’ pool fixtures will be broken-down into two slots. The second will be for matches against Argentina and Tonga. From the southern city of Fukuoka the Eagles will travel to the central city of Kumagaya for their match against Argentina before traveling south to Hanozono to face Tonga. With only three rest days between facing Los Pumas and the Ikali Tahi the USA will need to make a tough choice over player rotation.
| DATE | FIXTURE | VENUE | KICK-OFF |
| September 26 2019 | USA vs England | Kobe | 6:45am (Eastern) |
| October 02 2019 | USA vs France | Fukuoka | 3:45am (Eastern) |
| October 09 2019 | USA vs Argentina | Kumagaya | 12:45am (Eastern) |
| October 13 2019 | USA vs Tonga | Hanozono | 3:45am (Eastern) |
Argentina – RWC 2019 Fixtures
In geographical terms Argentina have been allowed a highly favorable draw. Very little travel will be required with a three hour train ride from Tokyo to Hanozono (Osaka) being the longest trip for Los Pumas.
The schedule, though, is less kind. Argentina will face France first and England third. This means they face the prospect of elimination with a game left to play. Game four against the USA will see Argentina being the first team in the pool to complete their matches. Should Argentina reach the Quarter Finals it will provide them with greater preparation for the final 8. If not it will mean a trip home before the completion of the pool stage.
| DATE | FIXTURE | VENUE | KICK-OFF |
| September 21 2019 | Argentina vs France | Tokyo | 4:15am (Argentina) |
| September 28 2019 | Argentina vs Tonga | Hanozono | 1:45am (Argentina) |
| October 05 2019 | Argentina vs England | Tokyo | 5:00am (Argentina) |
| October 09 2019 | Argentina vs USA | Kumagaya | 1:45am (Argentina) |
