Rugby World Cup 2019: When, Where, How To Watch, Pools, Fixtures

Looking forward to the 2019 Rugby World Cup? 888sport have you covered with the latest rugby union betting news, tips and odds on this year’s tournament.

Punters can read expert advice regarding the Rugby World Cup and other sporting events via the 888sport blog. Scroll down now for all of the 'need to know' information ahead of September 20th.

When Is The 2019 Rugby World Cup?

The 2019 Rugby World Cup will get underway on September 20^th with the final taking place on November 2^nd. At the time of writing, New Zealand are favourites to record their third successive Rugby World Cup triumph in a row.

Hosts Japan take on Pool A minnows Russia in the opening match of the tournament. With Japan springing one of the Rugby World Cup’s greatest shocks in 2015, we could see plenty of thrills and spills from the host nation this year.

Where Is The Rugby World Cup 2019?

Japan were selected to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup – this is the first time ever that the tournament will take place in Asia. Away from the traditional rugby union playing nations, it could be one of the best competitions yet.

How To Watch The Rugby World Cup In The UK

ITV have obtained exclusive rights to the 2019 Rugby World Cup – which gives viewers the chance to watch the leading Player of the Tournament contenders. Organisers have worked tirelessly to try and accommodate kick-off times to suit every nation and most games are available for rugby fans in the United Kingdom.

The opening fixture will take place at 11:45am in the UK with the earliest group stage game kicking off at 4:15am. For those wanting to watch the likes of New Zealand and Australia in the pool rounds, an early start may be on the cards…

Rugby World Cup 2019: Pools

Pool A: Japan, Ireland, Scotland, Russia, Samoa

Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia, Canada

Pool C: England, France, Argentina, USA, Tonga

Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay

RWC 2019: Pool A Fixtures

Japan vs Russia: September 20^th (11:45am)

Ireland vs Scotland: September 22^nd (8:45am)

Russia vs Samoa: September 24^th (11:15am)

Japan vs Ireland: September 28^th (8:15am)

Scotland vs Samoa: September 30^th (11:15am)

Ireland vs Russia: October 3^rd (11:15am)

Japan vs Samoa: October 5^th (11:30am)

Scotland vs Russia: October 9^th (8:15am)

Ireland vs Samoa: October 12^th (11:45am)

Japan vs Scotland: October 13^th (11:45am)

RWC 2019: Pool B Fixtures

New Zealand vs South Africa: September 21^st (10:45am)

Italy vs Namibia: September 22^nd (6:15am)

Italy vs Canada: September 26^th (8:45am)

South Africa vs Namibia: September 28^th (10:45am)

New Zealand vs Canada: October 2^nd (11:15am)

South Africa vs Italy: October 4^th (10:45am)

New Zealand vs Namibia: October 6^th (5:45am)

South Africa vs Canada: October 8^th (11:15am)

New Zealand vs Italy: October 12^th (5:45am)

Namibia vs Canada: October 13^th (4:15am)

RWC 2019: Pool C Fixtures

France vs Argentina: September 21^st (8:15am)

England vs Tonga: September 22^nd (11:15am)

England vs USA: September 26^th (11:45am)

Argentina vs Tonga: September 28^th (5:45am)

France vs USA: October 2^nd (8:45am)

England vs Argentina: October 5^th (9am)

France vs Tonga: October 6^th (8:45am)

Argentina vs USA: October 9^th (5:45am)

England vs France: October 12^th (9:15am)

USA vs Tonga: October 13^th (6:45am)

RWC 2019: Pool D Fixtures

Australia vs Fiji: September 21^st (5:45am)

Wales vs Georgia: September 23^rd (11:15am)

Fiji vs Uruguay: September 25^th (6:15am)

Georgia vs Uruguay: September 29^th (6:15am)

Australia vs Wales: September 29^th (8:45am)

Georgia vs Fiji: October 3^rd (6:15am)

Australia vs Uruguay: October 5^th (6:15am)

Wales vs Fiji: October 9^th (10:45am)

Australia vs Georgia: October 11^th (11:15am)

Wales vs Uruguay: October 13^th (9:15am)

2019 Rugby World Cup: Betting

New Zealand have been the number one ranked nation for over 500 weeks but they almost relinquished that title to Wales at the beginning of August.

The All Blacks always seem to hit top form at the Rugby World Cup but 11/8 is short given their recent struggles; New Zealand were well beaten by Australia in their last encounter.

Gareth Anscombe’s injury may hinder Wales’ chances of a first Rugby World Cup crown but Warren Gatland’s side head into the tournament as Six Nations Grand Slam winners.

With a bit of luck in the group stages, their path to the World Cup final may be favourable – 7/1 for a famous Welsh win is still a reasonable price.

England showed signs of a revival in the 2019 Six Nations and Eddie Jones’ men are priced at 9/2 with 888sport.

The 2003 World Cup winners suffered an embarrassing exit on home soil four years ago but England look primed to go far in 2019. If everything goes to plan, England could be celebrating a second success come November 2^nd.

2019 Rugby Championship winners South Africa are also in the mix to lift the Webb Ellis Cup this year. The Springboks have been in scintillating form this year and could spring a shock in Pool B if New Zealand fall short.

888sport punters can back South Africa at 5/1 to claim their third Rugby World Cup title – and that may turn out to be a monster price.