Rugby World Cup Preview: Pool A

With the Rugby World Cup Kicking off today with the hosts Japan playing Russia in Pool A – here is my preview of the teams in Pool A.

Japan

Arguably Japan’s best rugby moment came in the last world cup where they pulled off the biggest shock in International rugby by beating the Springboks with the last play of the game. In 2015 they were under the guidance of England coach Eddie Jones; current coach Jamie Joseph will be hoping for some more shocks in front of a home crowd.

Japan should be able to beat Russia and Samoa in their group or at least give it a go but they will find it hard against the likes of Ireland and Scotland. They will be much improved from 2015 but unfortunately they won’t quite do enough to make it out the group stages.

Skipper Michael Leitch has been a talisman for Japan and his experience will be key and look out for winger Matsushima – he is one to watch.

 

Russia

Russia will be participating in their second world cup, their last appearance was in 2011 when they lost all of their fixtures.

The Russians will struggle in a pool with much stronger opposition. They also lost a World Cup warm up game to Irish club side Connacht – which highlights the lack of quality within the squad. However looking at the positives, this World Cup will be a massive learning curve for them and their participation is a step in the right direction for Russian Rugby. But any hopes of a victory are very slim.

With a squad lacking any real top club rugby experience, look out for lock Andrei Ostrikov, a household name for Sale Sharks fans having spent most of his career there. His experience will be key and he can also play blindside flanker.

 

Samoa

The islanders posses great athletes and great rugby culture to match. Unfortunately Samoan rugby in recent times has been plagued with Infrastructure and finance issues. Despite a lot of talent in the squad the Samoans will struggle in the tournament whilst giving us glimpses of brilliance.

They should comfortably beat Russia, while the contest with Japan should be an exciting spectacle for the neutral. However Ireland and Scotland should have too much quality for the Samoans.

The Samoans boast a squad full of experienced players who play in some of the best rugby leagues in the world such as France and England. Experience that they will need to call on to pull off any surprises.

 

Scotland

Gregor Townsend’s Scotland had a great 2018 but have struggled for form in 2019. Some of their form players in 2018 have not been able to replicate it in 2019; none more so than Huw Jones who was arguably their best player last year but this year has struggled and hasn’t even made it in the squad for the World Cup.

Townsend will be hoping their bad form is behind them as they attempt to win all 4 games and top the pool. In reality they will probably finish second behind Ireland if rankings are anything to go by. They will also need to be wary of hosts Japan who will be hunting another upset.

The Scots have a number of key players that they will depend on such as Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg. However Captain and hooker Stuart Mcinally will be key to their success. Great in the set piece, great in the breakdown and a big ball carrier. Consistency will be key for the Scots.

 

Ireland

On paper Ireland are the strongest team in the pool and should finish top of the pile. After beating Wales in their last warm up game, Ireland are ranked 1st in the rankings going into the World Cup. Another great achievement for the outgoing Joe Schmidt and his Ireland team after a successful 2018

in 2019, Ireland’s form has stuttered but they seem to have found some form going into the World Cup aside from the 54-17 thrashing they received at the hands of England. The game against Scotland will most likely decide who will finish top, it should be Ireland.

Ireland possess a great squad full of quality but their success rests in the hands of Johnny Sexton. The game Ireland lose tend to be when Sexton is targeted and cannot settle and get into the game. When in form Ireland will purr and could go all the way.

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