It might still be two years away but the draw for the pool’s of the 2019 Rugby World Cup have already been drawn, although there is still some way to go before we know all 20 teams who will be competing, as qualifying matches continue to take place.
We’ve taken a look at each group, tried to predict who’ll fill the remaining qualifying slots and then have decided on a way-too-early prediction for the final standings.
Pool A
Ireland, Scotland and hosts Japan will definitely be in Pool A, along with the highest remaining ranked side from the Rugby Europe Championship and then the winner of a play-off between a European side and a team from Oceania.
Romania will likely be the side who wins the Rugby Europe Championship and I think Tonga will win the qualifier.
Pool A Prediction
Ireland should win this group with Scotland finishing in second place. I think Japan, at home, will fancy their chances of third, depending on who the final qualifier is but Tonga, if itis them, will be a tough test for Japan. Romania are proving that they’re a good side in the Rugby Europe Championship too. In the end, I think the group pans out in this order; Ireland, Scotland, Romania, Tonga, Japan.
Pool B
The number one side in the world, New Zealand, will be drawn against South Africa and Italy. They’ll be joined by the winner of the Rugby Africa Championship and the repechage winner. I’d be surprised if Namibia didn’t win the Rugby Africa Championship whilst the repechage winner is impossible to predict at this stage!
Pool B Prediction
It’d be mad to predict anything but a New Zealand win with South Africa coming in second. Italy haven’t played well for a while now and Namibia will fancy their chances of causing an upset to beat them to third place, but I think the Italians will be too strong.
Pool C
England have been drawn in a tough group with France and Argentina, two very good, if slightly unpredictable, sides. They’ll be joined by either USA or Canada and one of Fiji, Samoa or Tonga. I think it’ll be Canada and Samoa who end up in this group.
Pool C Prediction
It’ll be tough but I think England win the group and I’m going to say that Argentina pip France and take second place with Samoa and Canada bringing up the rear.
Pool D
Australia, Wales, and Georgia are guaranteed to be in Pool D, with either the USA or Canada and one of Fiji, Samoa or Tonga. I’ll guess that this will be the USA and Fiji
Pool D Prediction
Theoretically, it’d be classed as an upset but I think Wales will topple Australia to win the group. I think Fiji will come third, Georgia fourth and the USA fifth.