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Your ultimate guide to Rugby World Cup 2019

The final of the first world cup in Japan takes place in Tokyo on 2 November

Friday 20 September 2019 08:40, UK

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The Rugby World Cup kicks off this week with 20 teams battling to lift the famous Webb Ellis Cup.

The tournament is being held in Japan for the first time and England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland are all in the mix.

Here's what you need to know.

When is it and how long is it on for?

The opening match sees hosts Japan take on the tournament's lowest-ranked side, Russia, at the Tokyo Stadium.

Kick-off is 7.45pm local time on Friday 20 September (11.45am UK time).

Twelve venues across Japan will host matches and the final will be held on 2 November in Yokohama.

The opening match and the final both take place at the Tokyo Stadium
Image: The opening match and the final both take place at the Tokyo Stadium

When do the home nations play their first match?

This Sunday is the important day for England, Scotland and Ireland fans.

Ireland and Scotland play each other at 8.45am UK time in Yokohama, with England facing the world's 15th-ranked side, Tonga, at 11.15am in Sapporo.

Wales start their campaign on Monday morning against Georgia.

Owen Farrell is set to be one of England's key players
Image: Owen Farrell is set to be one of England's key players

Who's in each qualifying group?

Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa.

Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia, Canada

Pool C: England, France, Argentina, USA, Tonga

Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay

Wales have enjoyed some local support at their training sessions
Image: Wales have enjoyed some enthusiastic local support at their training sessions

Who are the favourites?

Rugby superpower New Zealand are again the ones to watch.

The reigning champions have won the tournament three times - more than anyone else - and they haven't been beaten in the tournament for eight years.

They are 11/8 favourites to lift the trophy, according to Sky Bet.

The All Blacks are the favourites and haven't lost a match in the tournament since 2011
Image: The All Blacks are the favourites and haven't lost a match in the tournament since 2011

Officially however, the All Blacks go into the competition as only the second-ranked side in the world.

Ireland are currently the top-rated team but are only the fourth favourites with the bookies, at 9/1.

South Africa - officially the fourth-ranked side - are second favourites and are 4/1 to win.

Ireland go into the tournament the top-ranked side and beat Wales 22-17 in a warm-up
Image: Ireland are the top-ranked side and beat Wales 22-17 in a warm-up

England - who famously won the World Cup off the boot of Jonny Wilkinson in 2003 - are third favourites at 9/2.

Wales are 10/1, with Scotland considered a long-shot at 66/1.

Where can I watch - and do I have to get up early?

Possibly - the UK is currently eight hours behind Japan and that means quite a few of the matches start as early as 5.45am.

Others begin between 8 and 9am and just before noon.

The matches are being shown live on ITV in the UK.

When are the home nations' matches?

Sunday 22 Sept:

Ireland v Scotland (8.45am UK time)

England v Tonga (11.15am)

Monday 23 Sept:

Wales v Georgia (11.15am)

Wales' scrum half Gareth Davies - the team start their campaign against Georgia
Image: Wales' scrum half Gareth Davies - the team start their campaign against Georgia

Thursday 26 Sept:

England v USA (11.45am)

Saturday 28 Sept:

Japan v Ireland (8.15am)

Sunday 29 Sept:

Australia v Wales (8.45am)

Monday 30 Sept:

Scotland v Samoa (11.15am)

Scotland beat Georgia 36-9 in a warm-up match at the start of September
Image: Scotland beat Georgia 36-9 in a warm-up match at the start of September

Thursday 3 October:

Ireland v Russia (11.15am)

Saturday 5 October:

England v Argentina (9am)

Wednesday 9 October:

Scotland v Russia (8.15am)

Wales v Fiji (10.45am)

Saturday 12 October:

England v France (09.15am)

Ireland v Samoa (11.45am)

Sunday 13 October

Wales v Uruguay (09.15am)

Japan v Scotland (11.45am)

Most memorable World Cup moments?

Brave Blossoms shock the Springboks

Japan faced two-time winners South Africa at the last World Cup in England in 2015. A decent result was seen as keeping the margin of defeat to a respectable level.

But the Brave Blossoms - under England's current coach Eddie Jones - pulled off a memorable David and Goliath story, beating the Springboks 34-32 in Brighton.

Massive underdogs Japan shocked the rugby world - and the Springboks - in 2015
Image: Massive underdogs Japan shocked the rugby world - and the Springboks - in 2015

France stun the All Blacks

Possibly the greatest World Cup game ever.

Le Bleus had been annihilated by a 47-point margin four months before by New Zealand, and their Five Nations campaign was a disaster.

Their tournament had been lacklustre and they were expected to be steamrollered by the fearsome All Blacks in the 1999 semi-final.

Even Jonah Lomu's exploits couldn't stop France's shock win in the 1999 semi-final
Image: Even Jonah Lomu's exploits couldn't stop France's shock win in the 1999 semi-final

But France weren't reading the script when Christophe Lamaison strolled over for the opening try.

The great Jonah Lomu hit back within four minutes, smashing his way through seven French players, and struck again early in the second half to give New Zealand a 14-point lead.

But more heroics from Lamaison dragged France back into it and they went on to dominate the last period, stunning the All Blacks 43-31.

Wilkinson becomes a national hero

One of those "where were you?" moments.

England under captain Martin Johnson and coach Clive Woodward were a fearsome team. But they had a huge task in the 2003 final - to defeat the hosts Australia (coached by England's future boss Eddie Jones).

Three Jonny Wilkinson penalties and a Jason Robinson try gave England a 14-5 half-time lead.

Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp heroics claimed the 2003 world cup for England
Image: Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp heroics claimed the 2003 World Cup for England

Things unravelled for England in the second period and they failed to score a single point, with Wilkinson uncharacteristically missing two drop-goals.

Three penalties from the Wallabies' Elton Flatley - one in the final minute - pushed the game into extra time.

With most of England glued to the TV, a nailbiting climax saw each team score a penalty to level the score at 17-17.

Then it happened.

With less than 30 seconds left on the clock Matt Dawson managed to get the ball to Wilkinson - and this time he didn't miss as his drop goal sent England rugby fans into ecstasy.

Thrashings and match heroes - World Cup records

Biggest win: Australia v Namibia - 142-0; World Cup 2003 (also holds record for most team tries - 22)

Most team points in a match: New Zealand v Japan 145 - 17; World Cup 1995

Most consecutive wins: 14 (so far) by New Zealand; they are unbeaten in the tournament since from 9 September 2011

Most individual points: 277 - Jonny Wilkinson

142-0: Namibia were on the receiving end of the worst-ever defeat at the tournament
Image: 142-0: Namibia were on the receiving end of the worst-ever defeat at the tournament

Most individual points in one match: 45 - Simon Culhane (New Zealand v Japan - World Cup 1995)

Most tries: 15 - Bryan Habana (South Africa) and Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Most conversions: 58 - Dan Carter (New Zealand)

Most penalty goals: 58 - Jonny Wilkinson (England)

Most drop goals: 14 - Jonny Wilkinson (England)

Most points conceded in a tournament: 310 (Namibia - from four matches at World Cup 2003)

Most points scored in a tournament: 361 (New Zealand - from seven matches at World Cup 2003)

Most matches by a player: 22 - Jason Leonard (England) and Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Highest attendance: Ireland v Romania - 89,267; Wembley Stadium, World Cup 2015