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The Rugby World Cup will open on Friday with a Pool A match between Japan and European representatives Russia. Much of the interest in the pool will center around the host team – can they upset top seeds Ireland or Scotland? Samoa are not as potent as in previous years but can still play the role of spoilers with a bit of luck. Ireland head into the tournament as the world’s top-ranking side but remain only fourth-best to win according to the odds-makers.
POOL A FIXTURES
Fri, Sept 20 – Japan vs Russia – Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
Sun, Sept 22 – Ireland vs Scotland – Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Tues, Sept 24 – Russia vs Samoa – Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Sat, Sept 28 – Japan vs Ireland – ECOPA Stadium, Shizuoka
Mon, Sept 30 – Scotland vs Samoa – Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Thurs, Oct 3 – Ireland vs Russia – Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Sat, Oct 5 – Japan vs Samoa – Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Wed, Oct 9 – Scotland vs Russia – ECOPA Stadium, Shizuoka
Sat, Oct 12 – Ireland vs Samoa – Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka
Sun, Oct 13 – Japan vs Scotland – Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
IRELAND
Did Ireland peak a year too early? That’s the question many are pondering. Their form has cooled since overturning New Zealand in Dublin last November, and the side is battling injuries within the camp having already lost two forwards earlier this year. Look for them to push through to the Quarter Finals but it won’t be entirely smooth sailing.
Current Ranking: 1 (high 1, low 9)
Test Record 2016-Present: 32-11-1
Qualified: RWC 2015, 1st Pool D
World Cups: 8 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Quarter Finals
Head Coach: Joe Schmidt (age 54, New Zealand, record 52-18-1) – A shrewd tactician who will leave the team following the tournament. He has led Ireland to historic highs and is among the most highly-regarded coaches in the world. The immediate task is to navigate the pool stage, then guide the team to their first ever World Cup Semi Final.
Captain: Rory Best (hooker, age 37, 120 caps) – One of his country’s best ever at his position, he will hang up the boots in November. Inspirational as a leader but no longer quite at the height of his powers. Accuracy at the set piece will be his number one priority.
One to Watch: James Ryan (lock, age 23, 19 caps) – Destined to be among Ireland’s greats after an incredible start to his young career. Critical to success in the lineout but it’s his tireless work rate around the pitch that stands him apart. Expected to be among the best in his position at his first World Cup.
Notable Absentees: Two potentially first choice flankers were ruled out earlier this year in Dan Leavy (knee) and Sean O’Brien (hip). Flying winger Simon Zebo has effectively been exiled since moving to France, while towering lock Devin Toner was surprisingly left out of the squad in favor of newly-qualified Jean Kleyn.
Pool Prediction: 1st
JAPAN
As tournament hosts, the Brave Blossoms have considerable expectation on their shoulders. Building on their remarkable success of RWC 2015 is the task, with the explicit goal of reaching the Quarter Finals for the first time. After winning the Pacific Nations Cup in impressive fashion, a win over Scotland in the final match of the pool stage looks very achievable.
Current Ranking: 10 (high 9, low 20)
Test Record 2016-Present: 18-12-1
Qualified: RWC 2015, 3rd Pool B / Hosts
World Cups: 8 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Pool Stage
Head Coach: Jamie Joseph (age 49, New Zealand, record 13-10-1) – The former All Black flanker led the Highlanders to their first ever Super Rugby title in 2015 before joining Japan the following year. Not all of his selections have been met with applause, with some of the best young Japanese talent left out entirely of the tournament’s build-up. His coaching methods, however, look to have the team well positioned to cause another big upset in the pool stage.
Captain: Michael Leitch (flanker, age 30, 63 caps) – A New Zealander by birth but he has now spent half his life in Japan, making his Brave Blossoms debut more than a decade ago. Leitch spent three seasons with the Chiefs in Super Rugby before switching to the Sunwolves. His calming presence is as important as his overall ability.
One to Watch: Kenki Fukuoka (wing, age 27, 33 caps) – Could well emerge as the face of the tournament in the pool stage. Fukuoka is a brilliant attacker with his searing pace and finishing ability. Though still just 27, this could be his last run with the Brave Blossoms as a career in medicine beckons – though he may stick around long enough to play in next year’s Olympic games.
Notable Absentees: Japan have been spared any major injuries though probable uncapped second row selection Grant Hattingh (groin) dropped out of contention in July. A handful of RWC 2015 veterans still playing did not make the grade – among them tighthead prop Hiroshi Yamashita, midfielder Harumichi Tatekawa, and winger Akihito Yamada.
Pool Prediction: 2nd
RUSSIA
One of the last teams to qualify and certainly the most fortunate. The Bears were not in a position to make their second World Cup until the Rugby Europe eligibility scandal resulted in the effective expulsions of Spain and Romania. Their loss is Russia’s gain, but expectations are low given their sub-par performance in the build-up.
Current Ranking: 20 (high 16, low 26)
Test Record 2016-Present: 19-18-0
Qualified: Europe 1
World Cups: 1 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Pool Stage
Head Coach: Lyn Jones (age 55, Wales, record 4-6-0) – Since leaving the Ospreys a decade ago the former Wales flanker has coached London Welsh, the Dragons, and Welwitschias – Namibia’s domestic representative side. He joined Russia in August of last year and has pieced together a team in transition with some younger players and others in the twilight of their careers.
Captain: Vasili Artemyev (fullback, age 32, 89 caps) – One of those reaching the end is their classy fullback, who has previously spent time in the Leinster academy and at Northampton Saints. Not quite as rapid as he once was but he is an intelligent footballer who rarely makes mistakes. Artemyev started all four games for Russia in their only previous World Cup appearance in 2011.
One to Watch: Tagir Gadzhiev (flanker, age 25, 30 caps) – The powerful blindside has become a fixture in the Russian pack. Don’t expect much subtlety Gadzhiev, he delights in winning big collisions. That comes as no surprise given he hails from Dagestan – a world-renowned stable for wrestlers – and is a former mixed martial arts practitioner who only turned to rugby at age 18.
Notable Absentees: Another side virtually free of significant injury. The biggest names absent are the old guard whose international careers are now likely finished – tighthead prop Innokenty Zykov, No8 Anton Rudoi, midfielder Sergei Trishin, and utility back Mikhail Babaev.
Pool Prediction: 5th
SAMOA
The Manu have traditionally been a handful at World Cups with late arrivals with ancestral links boosting their odds. This time around the group are not as convincing and while a couple players have jumped on-board, still others have disappointingly opted out. That said, they are always capable of an upset on their day and their competitive showing against Australia gave a glimmer of hope to their fans.
Current Ranking: 16 (high 7, low 17)
Test Record 2016-Present: 6-17-1
Qualified: Play-Off Winners
World Cups: 7 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Quarter Finals
Head Coach: Steve Jackson (age 46, New Zealand, record 2-5-0) – The most recent coaching appointment of any side at the World Cup, Jackson took over from local favorite Titi Tafua in late September of last year. He was previously a Forwards Coach with the Blues, with his only professional Head Coach role a two-season stint with North Harbour. Jackson played second row for four provincial sides and represented the New Zealand Māori in 2002.
Captain: Jack Lam (flanker, age 31, 35 caps) – Boasting experience both at Super Rugby and the English Premiership, the Samoan captain is known as an all-rounder who can compete at the breakdown and link with the backs. He has had his ups and downs in form over the past couple years but looks to be in a good spot after recovering from a recent injury. Having played largely at No8 for Bristol, he should start on the openside for the Manu.
One to Watch: Kane Leaupepe (lock, age 26, 6 caps) – A relatively newcomer to the side, the big second row has played his best rugby over the last two years and forced his way into a Super Rugby contract with the Hurricanes. He has now cemented his place in the first choice side and is the team’s primary lineout target. A good tournament could see his stock rise even further in Wellington.
Notable Absentees: There is a fair old list of players who could have turned out for Samoa in the tournament but have chosen not to for various reasons. Long-time second row Joe Tekori ‘retired’ to stay with Toulouse, while Premiership signings Jordan Taufua and Melani Nanai preferred to get a head start with their new clubs. Queensland Reds scrumhalf Scott Malolua (shoulder) was an injury casualty in the match against Australia.
Pool Prediction: 4th
SCOTLAND
It’s hard to say what version of Scotland we’ll see in Japan. While they have produced some quality results over the past couple years, their squad heading in looks anything but settled with injuries and variation in selection both playing their part. At their best they could topple Ireland, but similarly a loss to Japan or Samoa is also a possibility. Their status as knock-out contenders is precarious with the Brave Blossoms hot on their trail.
Current Ranking: 7 (high 5, low 12)
Test Record 2016-Present: 24-17-1
Qualified: RWC 2015, 2nd Pool B
World Cups: 8 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Semi Finals
Head Coach: Gregor Townsend (age 46, Scotland, record 15-11-1) – A flyhalf of high regard for Scotland and the Lions, Townsend was earmarked for the Head Coach role since hanging up his boots in 2007. After five years of success with the Glasgow Warriors he took over the Scotland job in May 2017. He has a reputation as a visionary, but the test arena has not proved as fruitful as club rugby just yet.
Captain: Stuart McInally (hooker, age 29, 29 caps) – Formerly a back row forward, it took several years before he was able to move ahead of his mentor at club and country Ross Ford. Having held off the challenge of Fraser Brown for the starting role, McInally was perhaps a surprise choice to lead the side in Japan given the presence of the more experienced Greig Laidlaw and John Barclay, not to mention stalwarts Jonny Gray and Finn Russell.
One to Watch: Darcy Graham (wing, age 22, 7 caps) – Not assured a starting place with Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour also traveling, but Graham is certainly capable of sneaking his way in. His speed and outstanding footwork have some marking him as a future Lion. Despite his relatively small stature he is very difficult to bring down in a one-on-one situation.
Notable Absentees: The most significant injury to the team was the loss of Sam Skinner (hamstring), who was likely to feature in the first choice 23 as lock or blindside cover. 2013 Lions lock Richie Gray opted out after the recent birth of his son. Omissions in Townsend’s squad included No8 Josh Strauss and midfield pair Huw Jones and Rory Hutchinson.
Pool Prediction: 3rd
