Road to Rugby World Cup
New Zealand were the winners of the 2015 World Cup
©PA
The ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup is set to kick-off on 20th September in Japan with 20 teams competing for the title. We take a look at how the top six ranked teams have performed this year leading into the showpiece event.
New Zealand:
The All Blacks are among the top favourites according to oddsusa to lift the title for the fourth time. Having won the inaugural edition in 1987, New Zealand have won the 2011 and 2015 editions and will be aiming to complete a hat-trick when they take the field in Japan.
Performance this year:
Steve Hansen's men started the Rugby Championship with a win over Argentina but a draw against Springboks and a defeat to Australia meant they lost the title as well as their number one ranking for the first time in a decade. Even though they made a statement retaining the Bledisloe Cup for the 17th consecutive year after nilling Australia 36-0 in Auckland.
World Cup Fixtures:
v South Africa in Yokohama on 21st September
v Canada in Oita on 2nd October
v Namibia in Tokyo on 6th October
v Italy in Aichi on 12th October
Wales:
Warren Gatland's men have made a strong statement when it mattered the most. A semi-final finish in the 2011 edition was their best performance in the history of the World Cups but now being the top most ranked side they can never be written off.
Performance this year:
A Six Nations Grand Slam set the tone for Wales. Even though they lost to England at Twickenham with a 33-19 margin they bounced back last weekend with a 13-6 win in Cardiff against the same opposition. They will have two more opportunities to test out their combinations when they take on Ireland in home and away fixtures before they kick-start their World Cup campaign.
World Cup Fixtures:
v Georgia in Aichi on 23rd September
v Australia in Tokyo on 29th September
v Fiji in Oita on 9th October
v Uruguay in Kumamoto on 13th October
Ireland:
Ireland will be aiming to break the shackles this time having knocked out six times in quarter-finals previously. They will also be looking to give a perfect farewell to Joe Schmidt on his final outing in charge of the side.
Performance this year:
Following a terrific 2018, Ireland had high expectation leading into the World Cup year but had mixed results in the Six Nations when they finished third with three wins from five games but managed to revive themselves in the warm-up game against Italy. They will have three games - one against England and two against Wales before their World Cup campaign stars.
World Cup Fixtures:
v Scotland in Yokohama on 22nd September
v Japan in Shizuoka on 28th September
v Russia in Kobe on 3rd October
v Samoa in Fukuoka on 12th October
England:
The red rose team have not lifted the cup since 2003 which was also their only triumph. A disastrous 2015 edition was followed by redemption with England appointing Eddie Jones as their head coach and will be among the top contenders to win the tournament this year.
Performance this year:
They came close to winning the Six Nations this year but a 38-38 draw against Scotland and a defeat to Wales crashed their hopes. Jones fielded a relatively understrength team in both the warm-up games against Wales which ended in a win and a defeat. They will face Ireland and Italy in the remainder of the warm-up games before they head to Japan.
World Cup Fixtures:
v Scotland in Yokohama on 22nd September
v Japan in Shizuoka on 28th September
v Russia in Kobe on 3rd October
v Samoa in Fukuoka on 12th October
South Africa:
A chance for them to level All Blacks in most World Cups won after previously winning the 1995 and 2007 editions.
Performance this year:
They went on to win the Rugby Championship title where they even managed to draw the game against New Zealand and followed it with another 24-18 win over Argentina in Salta.
World Cup Fixtures:
v New Zealand in Yokohama on 21st September
v Namibia in Aichi on 28th September
v Italy in Shizuoka on 4th October
v Canada in Kobe on 8th October
Australia:
Like South Africa, Australia will also aiming to win their third title after winning the 1991 and 1999 editions.
Performance this year:
A mixed start to the Rugby Championship tournament ended on a high for the Wallabies when they stunned the All Blacks 47-26 but went on to lose the Bledisloe Cup after they were blanked 36-0 by New Zealand in Auckland. They will face Samoa on 7th October in their final warm-up game.
World Cup Fixtures:
v Fiji in Sapporo on 21st September
v Wales in Tokyo on 29th September
v Uruguay in Oita on 5th October
v Georgia in Shizuoka on 11th October
