The 2019 Rugby World Cup is the ninth Rugby World Cup and is being held in Japan from 20 September to 2 November. The action will be spread around Japan with 48 matches in total taking place by the end of the tournament.
The twenty teams are divided into four pools of five teams. Each pool will be a single round-robin of ten games, in which each team plays one match against each of the other teams in the same pool.


Rugby World Cup 2019 - Favorites, TV schedule: How to watch fixtures live

Favorite teams to win the Rugby World Cup

New Zealand (Group B)

World rank: #1
WC Appearances: 8
Best result: Champions 1987,2011,2015
The All Blacks are the most successful international men’s rugby side of all-time with a winning percentage of 77.41% over 580 Tests.
Since October 2003, the All Blacks have held the number one position for over 80% of the time. And as of December 2018, the All Blacks have held the number one position since 2009.

Players to watch
Beauden Barrett being a two-time World Rugby Player of the Year says all it should need to here, but it’s how he has not only professionally accepted being moved out to full-back from No 10, but that he has made himself one of the best in the world in a second position. Sevu Reece 22-year-old should come with a bright warning sign for every opposition. He possesses that special talent where you can’t take your eyes off the action when he has the ball in hand.
Head coach: Steve Hansen (New Zealand)

New Zealand warm-up games:
  • 20 July: Argentina 16-20 New Zealand
  • 27 July: New Zealand 16-16 South Africa
  • 10 August: Australia 47-26 New Zealand
  • 17 August: New Zealand 36-0 Australia
  • 7 September: New Zealand 92-7 Tonga
  • List of New Zealand upcoming games with TV schedule

    England (Group C)

    World rank: #3
    WC Appearances: 8
    Best result: Champions 2003
    England have contested every Rugby World Cup since it began in 1987, reaching the final three times and winning in 2003.
    At last World Cup, England became the first sole host nation to fail to qualify for the knockout stage, exiting the pool stage after losses to Wales and Australia.


    Players to watch
    England’s hopes will rest on the broad shoulders of Billy Vunipola. The formidable No 8 can ruin defences with one sweeping movement through the tiniest of gaps and there is no chance of bringing him down from behind. A lot is also expected from Maro Itoje. The 24-year-old is finally stepping foot on the global stage and expect fireworks from the imposing figure.
    Head coach: Eddie Jones (Australia)

    England warm-up games:
  • 11 August: England 33-19 Wales
  • 17 August: Wales 13-6 England
  • 24 August: England 57-15 Ireland
  • 6 September: England 37-0 Italy
  • List of England upcoming games with TV schedule

    South Africa (Group B)

    World rank: #5
    WC Appearances: 6
    Best result: Champions 1995, 2007
    South Africa did not participate in the 1987 and 1991 World Cups because of the sporting boycott that apartheid brought against them. At last World Cup South Africa suffered a 32–34 loss to Japan in their first pool match. This game is arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history.

    Players to watch
    Siya Kolisi and hooker Malcolm Marx are world-class forwards, while Willie le Roux is a sublime playmaker. Faf de Klerk injects energy at nine and is considered by many to be the best in the world.
    Head coach: Rassie Erasmus (South Africa)

    South Africa warm-up games:
  • 20 July: South Africa 35-17 Australia
  • 27 July: New Zealand 16-16 South Africa
  • 10 August: Argentina 13-46 South Africa
  • 17 August: South Africa 24-18 Argentina
  • 6 September: Japan 7-41 South Africa
  • List of South Africa upcoming games with TV schedule

    Wales (Group B)

    World rank: #2
    WC Appearances: 8
    Best result: Third Place 1997
    In the first World cup tournament in 1997 was Wales most successful. They won all three pool matches and their quarter-final, before losing to the All Blacks in the semi-finals. They then faced Australia in the third place play-off match, which they won 22–21.
    A lot is expected of the men in red, who won the Six Nations Grand Slam this year.

    Players to watch
    Alun Wyn Jones led Wales to the Grand Slam at the 2019 Six Nations and is somehow getting better with age. Any chance Wales have will come directly through their captain.
    Head coach: Warren Gatland (New Zealand)

    Wales warm-up games:
  • 11 August: England 33-19 Wales
  • 17 August: Wales 13-6 England
  • 31 August: Wales 17-22 Ireland
  • 7 September: Ireland 19-10 Wales
  • List of Wales upcoming games with TV schedule

    Ireland (Group B)

    World rank: #4
    WC Appearances: 8
    Best result: Quarter-finals 1997, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2001, 2015
    Ireland have competed at every Rugby World Cup tournament. The furthest they have progressed is the quarter-finals, which they have made six times out of eight.
    Despite a slight regression from their last year form, they can beat anyone on their day thanks to world-class talent across the board.

    Players to watch
    Jonathan Sexton is the beating heart of Ireland at fly-half and forms a savvy half-back pairing with Conor Murray. In the pack, tighthead Tadhg Furlong is the cornerstone of the scrum.
    Head coach: Joe Schmidt (New Zealand)

    Ireland warm-up games:
  • 10 August 2019: Ireland 29-10 Italy
  • 24 August 2019: England 57-15 Ireland
  • 31 August 2019: Wales 17-22 Ireland
  • 7 September 2019: Ireland 19-10 Wales
  • List of Ireland upcoming games with TV schedule

    Rugby World Cup 2019 Groups

    Group A P W D L Goals PTS
    1 France 4 4 0 0 210:32 18
    2 New Zealand 4 3 0 1 253:47 15
    3 Italy 4 2 0 2 114:181 10
    4 Uruguay 4 1 0 3 65:164 5
    5 Namibia 4 0 0 4 37:255 0
    Group B P W D L Goals PTS
    1 Ireland 4 4 0 0 190:46 19
    2 South Africa 4 3 0 1 151:34 15
    3 Scotland 4 2 0 2 146:71 10
    4 Tonga 4 1 0 3 96:177 5
    5 Romania 4 0 0 4 32:287 0
    Group C P W D L Goals PTS
    1 Wales 4 4 0 0 143:59 19
    2 Fiji 4 2 0 2 88:83 11
    3 Australia 4 2 0 2 90:91 11
    4 Portugal 4 1 1 2 64:103 6
    5 Georgia 4 0 1 3 64:113 3
    Group D P W D L Goals PTS
    1 England 4 4 0 0 150:39 18
    2 Argentina 4 3 0 1 127:69 14
    3 Japan 4 2 0 2 109:107 9
    4 Samoa 4 1 0 3 92:75 7
    5 Chile 4 0 0 4 27:215 0

    Venues

    World Cup is taking place in eight Chinese cities listed belllow.
    CityVenue
    Sapporo - Sapporo Dome
    Capacity: 41,000
    1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo
    Kamaishi - Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium
    Capacity: 16,200
    Dai 18 Chiwari-5-1 Unosumaicho, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0301
    Saitama - Kumagaya Rugby Ground
    Capacity: 30,000
    810 Kamikawakami, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0004
    Tokyo - Tokyo Stadium
    Capacity: 49,970
    376-3 Nishimachi, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0032
    Yokohama - International Stadium Yokohama
    Capacity: 72,000
    Shizuoka - Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa
    Capacity: 50,800
    2300-1 Aino, Fukuroi, Shizuoka 437-0031
    Osaka - Hanazono Rugby Stadium
    Capacity: 26,500
    1 Chome-1-1 Matsubaraminami, Higashiosaka, Osaka 578-0923
    Aichi - City of Toyota Stadium
    Capacity: 45,000
    7 Chome-2 Sengokucho, Toyota, Aichi 471-0016
    Kobe - Kobe Misaki Stadium
    Capacity: 30,000
    1 Chome-2-2 Misakicho, Hyogo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 652-0855
    Fukuoka - Hakatanomori Stadium
    Capacity: 22,500
    2 Chome-1-1 Higashihiraokoen, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 816-0052
    Kumamoto - Kumamoto Stadium
    Capacity: 32,000
    2776 Hirayamamachi, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto, 861-8012
    Oita - Oita Stadium
    Capacity: 40,000
    1351 Yokoo, Oita, 870-0126

    Where you can watch Rugby World Cup 2019 online and on TV

    For the detailed TV schedule click here - Rugby World Cup 2019