Disappointment Due For Rugby World Cup 2019 Makeweights

Some top nations can expect to miss out on qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Rugby world Cup in Japan.

The pool matches are underway, but however rose tinted your glasses, a lot of the sides are make weights with no chance of reaching the competitions later stages.

Just two teams from each pool will go on to contest the quarter finals.

For the likes of Namibia and Georgia, just taking part in the Rugby World Cup 2019 is probably reward enough.

But with five teams in each pool with three teams seeded, some big names will go home early as well.

Team by team rundown

As most pools are only at the game two stage, it’s too early to be certain who will bow out and who will continue.

Pool A is tight with Ireland likely to win, with Samoa or Scotland taking second place, but dark horses and home side Japan are also in the mix.

Pool B has the giants of New Zealand and South Africa butting horns and Italy showing as early leaders.

England head Pool C, trailed by France, while Australia and Wales seem in charge of Pool D.

The group matches come thick and fast until Sunday, October 13.

Knock-out fixtures start on October 19, with the semi finals on October 26 and 27, followed by the Rugby World Cup 2019 final on November 2.

Rugby World Cup winners

The first Rugby World Cup was held in 1987, followed by finals at four yearly intervals.

New Zealand’s All Blacks are the most successful team, winning three trophies; followed by Australia and South Africa on two each. England has won once.

The winners are awarded the Webb-Ellis Cup, named after the pupil William Webb-Ellis at Rugby School, in Warwickshire, England, who allegedly invented the game by picking up and running with the ball during an 1823 soccer game.

The current holders are New Zealand, who beat Australia 34-17 at the finals in England in 2015.

The All Blacks are tipped 6/5 on to hold the title, with England at 5/1, South Africa at 11/2 and Ireland 9/1.

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