The 2019 Rugby World Cup is underway, with hosts Japan kicking off the tournament, which is being held in Asia for the first time. If you’re looking to take a punt on the winner, you’ll find reigning champions – and three-time winners – New Zealand the favourites in early Rugby World Cup 2019 odds. The Springboks, South Africa are second-favourites; while you’ll also find England up there.
But England are somewhat of a mystery when it comes to the biggest stage of international rugby – what kind of squad will turn up to the Land of the Rising Sun? Over the last four tournaments, the nation’s results have been on the decline; so, for Eddie Jones’ side, surely the only way is up?
With the All Blacks winning the previous two editions of the World Cup and South Africa the victors before then, it seems like a lifetime ago that England tasted success at the Rugby World Cup. 2003 was the year that Jonny Wilkinson famously scored the drop-goal against Australia in the final to win the tournament and jubilantly lift the Web Ellis Cup.
The following edition in 2007 wasn’t all bad, as England reached the final, but finished as runners-up to South Africa. Since then, the Red Roses have failed to make a final. In 2011, they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by France. More recently in 2015, there was a rather embarrassing exit at the pool stage, on home turf, after suffering defeats to Australia and Wales.
England had a reasonable World Cup warm-up after winning three of their four games, losing only to Wales. However, they previously beat the Dragons in their opening match, to end their run of 14 matches without defeat.
Once again, the group stage hasn’t exactly been kind to Jones’ men, with England positioned in Pool C, known as the ‘group of death’. Although, England begin their campaign with winnable matches against Tonga and the USA, but the tougher test comes in their final two games, where they face Argentina and France. The three will be battling it out for the top-two positions, in order to progress to the quarter-finals. While England are the favourites to win the group, if they finish top, they’ll face the runner-up of Pool D, which is most likely to be Australia or Wales.
Jones is undoubtedly the man to bring the Red Roses success; after all, in 2003, his Wallabies side was unlucky not to lift the Web Ellis Cup, as an extra time victory handed England the trophy. Four years later, his shrewd tactics helped mastermind the Springboks to their second World Cup success; and as recently as the last edition of the tournament, his Japan side beat South Africa in a narrow – but nonetheless, shock – victory, 34-32. Since taking charge in 2015, under the Australian’s stewardship, England have tasted glory with back-to-back Six Nations wins, most memorably winning the Grand Slam in 2016. It’s now their time to shine on the biggest world stage.