Monday 14 September 2015 09:30, UK
If Pool A produces the World Cup winner they'll have certainly done it the hard way.
The toughest pool in World Cup history has pitted four of the top nine sides in the world against each other.
Hosts England, Australia and Wales are expected to battle it out for the top two places but Fiji will also fancy their chances of causing an upset, while Uruguay are mere cannon-fodder.
Fixtures
18 Sept: England v Fiji - 8pm, Twickenham
20 Sept: Wales v Uruguay - 2.30pm, Cardiff
23 Sept: Australia v Fiji - 4.45pm, Cardiff
26 Sept: England v Wales - 8pm, Twickenham
27 Sept: Australia v Uruguay - 12pm, Birmingham
1 Oct: Wales v Fiji - 4.45pm, Cardiff
3 Oct: England v Australia - 8pm, Twickenham
6 Oct: Fiji v Uruguay - 8pm, Milton Keynes
10 Oct: Australia v Wales - 4.45pm, Twickenham
10 Oct: England v Uruguay - 8pm, Manchester
Strengths: A free-flowing side with plenty of experience in their exciting backline, the Australians are most dangerous with ball in hand on the counter-attack. Their back three is lethal, and any poor kicking out of hand from other teams will leave them chasing the game from an early stage. They also have two of the best fetchers in world rugby in David Pocock and Michael Hooper, so if the game does open up, they have the ability to control possession better than most teams when the ball hits the deck.
Weaknesses: The set piece, but in particular the scrum. The Wallaby tight five has featured some of the legends of the game over the years, including John Eales and Phil Kearns, but they have been notoriously unable to dominate up front. When they get the ball to their backs they are one of the most potent sides in the world, but as per the old cliche, you can't score without the ball - there will be plenty of focus on the set piece from opposition teams.
Who we will love: Israel Folau. The league convert has dazzled on the world stage and proven himself at the highest level. Last year he won the Super Rugby title with the Waratahs and this year he became the first player in the history of Australian rugby to win the John Eales Medal in consecutive years, and only the third player to win it twice. An even more impressive feat when you consider this is his only third year in the game.
Who will split opinion: Quade Cooper is of the most talented rugby players of the modern era, able to sidestep his way out of trouble with nimble feet. On the other hand he's also created trouble for himself with silly decisions - on and off the field. Michael Chieka needs to decide whether he is going to opt for the flair of a player like Cooper at fly-half, or bank on the more reliable, but less creative, Bernard Foley.
MVP: Stephen Moore. Though Israel Folau's workrate under the high ball and counter-attacking capabilities will light up the World Cup, Australia will need to lay a platform in order to release their talented backs if they are to lay claim to the trophy. Hooker Moore will need to ensure he leads his pack from the front in the difficult games against heavy northern hemisphere forwards.
Most likely to see red: Michael Hooper. Only two players in the current squad have received red cards before; Drew Mitchell and Tevita Kuridrani. Mitchell's was for two yellows while Kuridrani received his for a tip tackle against Ireland in 2013. As for yellow cards, Quade Cooper has been given four, while flanker Michael Hooper tops this group with five trips to the sin bin in his career. Some say that a fetcher isn't doing his job unless he's falling foul of the law, but in Hooper's case he will want to get caught less.
Forwards: Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Greg Holmes, Sekope Kepu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock.
Backs: Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau, Rob Horne, Drew Mitchell, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Tevita Kuridrani.
Strengths: The scrum. England's success has always been built on the grunt up front and this tournament is likely to be no different. Referees have been giving this area particular attention for some time, and if England get the ascendancy over their opponents, they will extract penalties which will keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Weaknesses: Most recently, the lineout. Normally equally as effective as the scrum, the lineout over the World Cup warm-ups has been unconvincing. Another perceived weakness is the lack of a fetcher in the team, with captain Chris Robshaw playing in this position despite being more of a blindside flanker.
Who we will love: Still just 22 years old, George Ford is developing into one of world rugby's most reliable fly-halves. At the beginning of November Owen Farrell was England's first-choice fly-half, but by the end of the autumn internationals George Ford had nudged ahead of him in the pecking order. Since then Ford has grown into the jersey and confidently leads the England attack.
Who will split opinion: League convert Sam Burgess is an undoubted talent and his fans argue he will light up the World Cup. On the other hand, his detractors say that despite his talent, he hasn't played rugby union long enough to warrant a place in the squad. In addition, Burgess played most of his rugby in the Bath back-row, though Lancaster has said he considers Burgess a centre, which has added to the debate. He's made the squad, the only thing that remains to be seen is how much game time Lancaster offers him.
MVP: Mike Brown. England's forward-based game has rarely left room for backline players to express themselves on the pitch but Brown has the confidence to stamp his mark on a game against any opposition. He is MVP for his ability under the high ball. With the kicking game likely to dominate in the knock-out stages, a sure pair of hands at the back is immeasurably important.
Most likely to see red: After headbutting an opponent and serving a ban that ruled him out for the World Cup, it would have been the easy answer. Dylan Hartley has been one of England's stand-out performers over the last four years so his absence will be felt, although the coaches have confirmed he will be considered if they suffer an injury at hooker.
Forwards: Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Dan Cole, David Wilson, Tom Youngs, Rob Webber, Jamie George, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, George Kruis, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw (c), Tom Wood, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola, Ben Morgan.
Backs: Ben Youngs, Richard Wigglesworth, Danny Care, George Ford, Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Jonny May, Mike Brown, Alex Goode.
Strengths: Wales' backline is a big, direct-running operation but very effective in the way the runs are executed. The likes of Jamie Roberts, George North and Alex Cuthbert are happy to straighten and run at a defensive line, which helps to create gaps for others when defenders are committed to a tackle. Given the size of their backs, it can often take more than one defender to bring them down.
Weaknesses: Injuries and disruption. Wales lost Jonathan Davies in the summer and further problems struck in their final warm-up when Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb suffered injuries that ruled them out of the tournament. Though Wales have players who can step up, it's a poor start to preparations for Warren Gatland that some of the crucial combinations may be slightly undercooked.
Who we will love: George North burst on the scene for the Scarlets and created a name for himself almost instantaneously. The barnstorming British and Irish Lion did nothing to quell the hype as he smashed through opposition defences on his way to becoming the youngest player to reach 50 Test caps. He had to wait a while for the 50th, after being ruled out of action following a series of concussions, but he's back and raring to go.
Who will split opinion: Justin Tipuric. Wales' captain fantastic is Sam Warburton and he is not particularly likely to be stripped of the No 7 jersey anytime soon, but Tipuric is putting pressure on him at just the right time. There will be those who feel Tipuric has done enough to warrant a go, but even more will feel that Warburton and Tipuric can play together. Fielding the pair has yielded results for Gatland in the past, and in this year's Rugby Championship both Australia and South Africa employed the tactic with good results. Could the double fetcher be the big revelation in this World Cup?
MVP: Alun Wyn Jones. If games of rugby were won based on how well the anthems are sung, Wales would win due to their whole team. If games of rugby were won based on how loud the anthems are sung, Wales would win due to Alun-Wyn Jones. From the first note of Land of our Fathers to the final whistle, Jones throws everything and more into the game. He's a mass of experience and passion and is crucial to their lineout and forward play in the loose.
Most likely to see red: Mike Phillips is a player with the ability to get under the skin of the opposition - which essentially is job No 1 for a No 9 - and has the bull-headedness to back himself against the odds. He plays the game fearlessly, but that has led to trouble when he ends up taking on some of the bigger opponents. Age has done nothing to blunt his competitive streak.
Forwards: Tomas Francis, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Gethin Jenkins, Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Ken Owens, Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Dominic Day, Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, James King, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (c).
Backs: Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Cory Allen, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, Alex Cuthbert, Matthew Morgan, George North, Liam Williams, Eli Walker, Mike Phillips.
Strengths: Fiji's rugby strength is the Sevens game. For years, through the magic of Waisale Serevi, Fiji set the trend. Rightly or wrongly, the 15-man game is traditionally played no differently in Fiji, but generally with the absence of any set piece. That appears to have changed this year, with a set of forwards capable of holding their own in the tight exchanges, which means they are a far more all-round threat at this World Cup.
Weaknesses: A lack of structure. Opposition supporters have often been treated to exhibition rugby when the Fijians are in town, even in World Cup quarter-finals, but it has been their undoing in the past too. Their lack of focus on some of rugby's less glamorous jobs has left them on the wrong end of scorelines they would prefer to forget.
Who we will love: Leone Nakarawa. There's nothing quite like a lock who runs like a centre, tackles like a flank and offloads like a rugby league convert. The Glasgow second-row is every bit the modern lock forward, adding a physical edge to his expansive game through his experience playing in the PRO12. He will have opposition defences frustrated, and neutral fans enamoured.
Who will split opinion: George David Campese Ma'afu. The loosehead, who is known simply as Campese, bears a great pair of middles names - his parents were big fans of the former Wallaby winger - but he splits opinion within his own family. In 2010 he played loosehead prop for Fiji against Australia, while his brother Salesi played tighthead for the Wallabies, so the family had to pick sides as the two sons squared off against each other in the scrums.
MVP: Niko Matawalu. The livewrire scrum-half is at the base of all decisions that are made by the Fijians and sets the tempo for a fast-paced onslaught. The Bath No 9 scored two tries in the first half of their warm-up win over Canada and is just as comfortable running with the ball as he is distributing it.
Most likely to see red: Nemani Nadolo. Not for any other reason than the fact that he will be the subject of particular attention from defenders who will want to shake his confidence. If he can withstand it without losing his cool, he will tear teams apart. He's a strong runner, lethal finisher and has pace to burn. And he kicks for goal. His performances for the Crusaders have had him in the Sky Sports try of the week footage as often as Waisake Naholo.
Forwards: Lee Roy Atalifo, Isei Colati, Campese Ma'afu, Peni Ravai, Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Tuapati Talemaitoga, Viliame Veikoso, Tevita Cavubati, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Nemia Soqeta, Masi Matadigo, Akapusi Qera (capt), Malakai Ravulo, Netani Talei, Dom Waqaniburotu, Peceli Yato.
Backs: Nemia Kenatale, Nikola Matawalu, Henry Seniloli, Lepani Botia, Gabby Lovobalavu, Josh Matavesi, Ben Volavola, Vereniki Goneva, Kini Murimurivalu, Nemani Nadolo, Waisea Nayacalevu, Metuisela Talebula, Asaeli Tikoirotuma.
Strengths: The South Americans love a scrum and they have a half-back pairing who know each other inside-out in Felipe Berchesi and Agustin Ormaechea. Both are quality players and will be hoping that their mostly amateur pack can supply them with something to use.
Weaknesses: You have to feel for Uruguay being drawn in this pool - it could get very messy indeed. Another amateur side who will battle against professional players.
Who we will love: The first time Uruguay played in a Rugby World Cup was in 1999 where they claimed a 27-15 win over Spain. Captain Diego Ormaechea scored a try on that day, and at 40 years old, is still the oldest player to ever play at a Rugby World Cup. He's not come out of retirement but look out for his son Agustin. A great little scrum-half that will look to snipe around the fringes.
Who will split opinion: Capo Ortega. The Castres lock was by all accounts excited about the World Cup. However after helping his side beat Russia, Ortega decided it was time to retire from international rugby and instead went back to France to help Castres in the Top 14.
MVP: Felipe Berchesi. Uruguay's fly-half has one heck of a boot on him and will make teams pay for any infringements.
Player most likely to see red: Santiago Vilaseca has taken over the captaincy from the 'retired' Ortega. How will the talented flanker deal with all the added pressure?
Forwards: Alejo Corral, Carlos Arboleya, Oscar Duran, Mateo Sanguinetti, Mario Sagario, Nicolas Klappenbach, German Kessler, Mathias Palomeque, Santiago Vilaseca, Franco Lamanna, Jorge Zerbino, Agustin Alonso, Fernando Bascou, Matias Beer, Juan Manuel Gaminara, Alejandro Nieto, Juan de Freitas, Diego Magno.
Backs: Agustin Ormaechea, Alejo Duran, Felipe Berchesi, Manuel Blengio, Andres Vilaseca, Joaquin Prada, Alberto Roman, Francisco Bulanti, Santiago Gibernau, Leandro Leivas, Rodrigo Silva, Gaston Mieres and Jeronimo Etcheverry.
1. England
2. Australia
3. Wales
4. Fiji
5. Uruguay
