Rugby World Cup starts in September 2019!

The 2019 Rugby World Cup pool grouping was announced, and it's getting more and more exciting. Japan will play its opening game on September 20. The opponent is Russia which is ranked 19th in the world!

"The game starts with knowing the opponent." So I researched the playing style of the countries that play against Japan.

What countries are in Pool A?

Japan went to Pool A. Pool A will be played by the world's 19th ranked Russia, 16th ranked Samoa, 7th ranked Scotland, 2nd ranked Ireland and 11th ranked Japan.

Scotland and Ireland are strong teams in the standings, so they have high level of attention and important matches. In the past, Japan has won against some of the stronger countries, so even though Japan is ranked lower, we can't be off guard against Russia and Samoa!

That is an interesting place to watch sports.

Let's research the playing style of the opponent!

First off is the opener! From Russia!

In the match between Japan and Russia in November 2018, Japan's fouls led to points and the team won, but only narrowly ended up with a score of 32 to 27.

Russia's strength lies in their powerful tackles and strong defensive pressure.

In the match in November, Yuri Kushinalev scored the opening goal and led until the second half of the game, showing Russia's solid performance.

The important opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, between Japan and Russia, is sure to attract a lot of attention!

Japan Rugby Football Association
https://www.rugby-japan.jp/match/17611

Ireland

Ireland, the second ranked team in the world, are getting stronger for the World Cup. In the game between New Zealand and Ireland in November 2018, they defeated New Zealand, which is said to be the best in the world, by 16 to 9.

If Japan uses its swift attacks to win over Ireland, just like it did in the 2015 World Cup, it will astonish the world.

Irish player Devin Tonner is 208 cm tall. Stockdale has many big players with 191 cm and 103 kg, but big players run well and play powerfully. Johnny Sexton, one of the world's top commanders, has been building up his strength with his strong kicks and stable set pieces.

[References]
Rugby World Cup Team Profile
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/241145

Ireland national rugby union team official website
http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/squads_ireland.php

Scotland

Ranked 7th in the world, Scotland's style of play includes speed and skilled kicks.

It will be the fourth match for Japan to play against Scotland in the World Cup and it will be an important match to decide which team will advance to the second round from Pool A.

A powerful full-back Stewart Hogg, a powerful and skilled kicker Grey Drawer, and a powerful and skilled Scottish national team will play solidly in the traditional tenacious game, which will have a tough time against the warring states.

[References]
Rugby World Cup Team Profile
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/241146

List of Scotland international rugby union players
http://www.scottishrugby.org/scotlandteam

Samoa

Ranked 16th in the world, Samoa perform a "Shibatau" before the game. I'm looking forward to a powerful walk lie!

Samoa's style of play is a powerful and destructive tackle with stamina running and physical strength. And many national team players play in the top clubs of each country, and the national team members have talented players.

Samoa have players who are stronger physically than Japan, but Japan won the last World Cup by a wide margin, so we will do our best to come back to win the match.

It will be an important match for Japan in Pool A as we will be able to prove our ability if Japan wins again.

Rugby World Cup official website
https://info.tickets.rugbyworldcup.com/promotion/highlight/#/all/game/jp-x-ws

Rugby Football Association
https://www.rugby-japan.jp/news/2018/07/15/49320

Enjoy Rugby World Cup!

How do you like it? Each country is getting stronger and stronger. If you know the playing style, cheering will be enthusiastic.

Will this 2019 World Cup upset the rankings?

The Japan National Team's coaches have changed and the number of kicking plays has increased since 2015. I would like to show my ability as a host country and liven up Japanese rugby!

The opening match against Russia is a highly watched game. Let's cheer for the Japan national team at the venue, fan zone, restaurants and home and support them to win!

[References]
Japan Rugby Football Association
https://www.rugby-japan.jp/

Rugby World Cup official website
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/