Rugby World Cup: Pool and knockout stage predictions and best bets
Rugby expert Gareth Jones predicts the route to the Rugby World Cup final
Rugby expert Gareth Jones predicts the route to the Rugby World Cup final

Rugby World Cup: Pool and knockout stage predictions and best bets

By Gareth Jones
Rugby Union
Wed September 18, 2019 · 6y ago

The Rugby World Cup begins on September 20, and although New Zealand start as favourites, there's another five nations firmly believing 2019 could be their year to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy.

Those hopeful nations are England, South Africa, Ireland and Wales, all of which on their day are capable of beating the mighty All Blacks and going all the way to glory in Japan.

However, all have revealed their vulnerabilities over the past 18 months, which, if not remedied, could allow New Zealand a relativity simple walk to their third consecutive World Cup triumph and fourth overall.

So to try and decipher this World Cup conundrum, let us take a look at how the pools and knock-out stages could pan out.

Summary

Winners: New Zealand

Finalists: Wales / South Africa

Pool Winners: Ireland, New Zealand, England, Wales

Best Bets:

Odds correct of 1430 GMT on 3/9/19

Pool A

Prediction

  1. Ireland
  2. Japan
  3. Scotland
  4. Samoa
  5. Russia

Key match: Japan v Scotland, Sunday October 13

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