RWC 2019: AND SO IT BEGINS...

Wow, it is really here, the RWC 2019 kicks off in a few hours time with the hosts Japan taking on Russia. A nation expects, and it will take a very good Scotland performance to deny the hosts, the Brave Blossoms their first ever QF spot, where they will take on the might of New Zealand or South Africa. The Scotland game will be their cup final, and OATH will have their very own Alan "EJ" Doyle at the game to bring us a unique insight into the build up, the contest on the pitch and the post match festivities.

The most open RWC ever? I am not sure, the semi finalists four years ago were all from Southern Hemisphere, and that could happen again, although England have a good chance of getting that far this time at the expense of Argentina and Wales (who they will probably have to beat along the way). Ireland's chances of reaching their first ever semi-final appear to be receding by the day, especially as their form is poor, and they have key injuries to Henshaw and Kearney for the Scotland game this weekend (a must win for the Scots if they are to take the pressure off the Japan fixture).

France make a late replacement to their squad...

Wales can beat anyone with a fully fit XV, but, without Webb, Faletau and Anscombe do not have the strength in depth and quality to make it beyond the quarter finals. Unlike Ireland, South Africa are peaking at the right moment, and are my joint favourites with New Zealand, who will be unsurprisingly motivated to win three cups in a row. Australia will miss Skelton and Folau, but could still turnover Wales, and then lose to Fiji (who will beat a Tier 1 nation), but will not fear England in the QF's if it comes to pass. France are France, and will not make it out of the group, but we said that 8 years ago and they should have beaten the Kiwis in the final.

So, off the fence, who will make the QF's?
Well back in March of this year I predicted the following:

QF
England v Australia
New Zealand v Scotland 
Wales v France
Ireland v South Africa

I would now revise this to:

QF
England v Wales
South Africa v Ireland
Australia v Argentina
Scotland v New Zealand

Yes, England, Australia, Scotland and South Africa to win their respective pools.

SF
England v South Africa
Australia v New Zealand

F
New Zealand v South Africa (to win)

Very very excited, and to whet your appetite for what is to come, here is the official Japanese version of the infamous RWC theme song "World in Union" ... and so it begins