Japan

Canada are one of the stalwarts of World Cup rugby, being one of only three countries outside the Six Nations and The Rugby Championship powerhouses to feature in every tournament (alongside Japan and Romania) and have consistently proven themselves as one of the second tier's most combative of opponents.

In a little under eight years time, the Rugby World Cup circus will pitch it's tents on unchartered territory.

Japan's long wait for a Rugby World Cup win continued after a comprehensive defeat by Tonga last Wednesday, and they are up against it again on Tuesday evening as they face a clued-up and confident Canada.

Tonga proved too strong for an error-strewn Japan and recorded their first victory of Rugby World Cup 2011 with a solid 31-18 win on Wednesday night in Whangerai.

For Tonga the tie with Japan is the last real chance the team has to gain a win in Pool A after the dissatisfaction of defeat to the Canucks and with France last up on October 1 in Wellington.

The All Blacks sounded a warning early on when Conrad Smith waltzed over for the opening try after three minutes following a Victor Vito break.

The New Zealand All Blacks were to have paid Japan the ultimate complement by naming a close to full strength side for their Friday night match in Hamilton

Four years on from hosting the showpiece event themselves, the French are preparing for another assault on the Webb Ellis trophy.

Kosuke Endo is an experienced and accomplished winger for Japan. Last year he scored a remarkable 5 tries in one game in the Asian Five Nations

We caught up with former London Irish and present Suntory Sungoliath player Peter Hewat.