Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
The 2019 Rugby World Cup begins today.
The tournament begins in Tokyo with hosts Japan taking on Russia in the opening game of Group A.
That comes after the opening ceremony, however, which promises to be a celebratory affair as ever and will surely come with one or two surprises too.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the big kick-off:
Show all 36 1 /36Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1987: New Zealand vs Wales 14 Jun 1987: The New Zealand team do their Haka dance at the beginning of the Rugby World Cup match between New Zealand and Wales in the semi final in Brisbane, Australia. New Zealand won the match 49-6. (Russell Cheyne/Allsport)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1987: New Zealand vs Wales John Drake, Sean Fitzpatrick and Steve McDowell of New Zealand prepare to pack down for a scrum during the 1987 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final match between New Zealand and Wales at Ballymore Stadium on June 14, 1987 in Brisbane, Australia. (Ross Land/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1987: France vs Australia Serge Blanco of France makes a break during the 1987 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final match between Australia and France at Concord Oval on June 13, 1987 in Sydney, Australia. (Ross Land/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1987: New Zealand vs France David Kirk of New Zealand kisses the Willam Webb Ellis Trophy after the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and France at Eden Park on June 20, 1987 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Ross Land/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1991: Australia vs Ireland Michael Lynagh of the Wallabies scores the match winning try during the Rugby World Cup semi-final match between Australia and Ireland at Lansdowne Road October 20, 1991 in Dublin, Ireland. Australia won the match 19-18 and went to beat England in the final. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1991: England vs Australia England captain Will Carling introduces Queen Elizabeth to the England team before the Rugby World Cup Final against Australia at Twickenham, 2nd November 1991. Australia won the match 12-6. (Russell Cheyne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1991: England vs Australia Australian scrum-half Nick Farr-Jones (left) and winger David Campese lift the Webb Ellis Cup after Australia's 12-6 victory over England in the Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham, 2nd November 1991. (Russell Cheyne/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1991: England vs Australia S. Poivedin, Phil Kearns and Michael Lynagh of the Australia Rugby Union team hold the Webb Ellis Trophy in the baths after the 1991 Rugby World Cup final victory over England (Allsport UK/Allsport)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1995: New Zealand vs Ireland Sean Fitzpatrick of New Zealand is treated for a nosebleed during a Rugby World Cup pool stage match against Ireland at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, 27th May 1995. New Zealand won 43-19 and went on to the final, where they were defeated by South Africa. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1995: New Zealand vs England Jonah Lomu of New Zealand evades the diving tackle of Rob Andrew of England during the Rugby World Cup Semi Final at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. New Zealand won the match 45-29. (Simon Bruty /Allsport)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1995: South Africa vs New Zealand South Africa's president Nelson Mandela congratulates South Africa's rugby team captain François Pienaar before handing him the Webb Ellis Cup after the 1995 Rugby World Cup final match South Africa vs New Zealand at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on June 24, 1995. (AFP PHOTO/JEAN-PIERRE MULLER)
AFP/Getty
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1999: England vs Fiji English players (From L to R) Darren Garforth, Martin Johnson, Joe Worsley and Dan Luger watch Samoan players perform the Haka before the Rugby World Cup quarter-final play-off game between England and Fiji 20 October 1999 at Twickenham stadium, southwest London. England won 45 to 24 and qualified for the quarter-final against South Africa. (OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1999: Wales vs Samoa Semo Sititi of Samoa celebrates victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup Pool D match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Samoa won 38-31. (David Rogers /Allsport)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1999: New Zealand vs France Jonah Lomu of New Zealand in action during the Semi Final match of the Rugby World Cup against France played at Twickenham in London, England. France won the game 43-31. (Ross Kinnaird /Allsport)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1999: New Zealand vs France The French team celebrate after beating New Zealand to win the Semi Final match of the Rugby World Cup played at Twickenham in London, England. France won the game 43-31. (Ross Kinnaird /Allsport)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1999: Australia vs France Australian scrum-half George Gregan (L) jumps to celebrate his victory as French fly-half Christophe Lamaison walks away after the Rugby World Cup 1999 final game opposing France to Australia 06 November 1999 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Australian won the final 35 to 12. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 1999: Australia vs France Australian winger Joe Roff drinks from the cup inside the locker room after the Rugby World Cup 1999 final game between France and Australia 06 November 1999 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Australian won the final 35 to 12 (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2003: England vs Australia Dave Rogers (Getty): This is Jonny Wilkinson kicking the last-minute drop goal to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Sydney. It was an amazing occasion for an Englishman to cover, the excitement was incredible. Fortunately, Jonny, who is predominantly a left-footed kicker, kicked this drop goal with his right and therefore was facing towards me.
Getty
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2003: England vs Australia ngland captain Martin Johnson celebrates Englands victory with Neil Back and Ben Cohen during the Rugby World Cup Final match between Australia and England at Telstra Stadium November 22, 2003 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2003: England vs Australia Dave Rogers (Getty): This is the same occasion but it shows Clive Woodward, the England head coach, taking the Rugby World Cup back down the tunnel to the England dressing room. I have known Clive, since 1980 and it was an absolute thrill to see his dreams, and England's, come true.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2007: Australia vs Canada Hugh McMeniman of Australia contests a lineout ball with Mike James of Canada during the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Australia and Canada at Stade Chaban-Delmas September 29, 2007 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2007: England vs Australia Dave Rogers (Getty): This shows Andrew Sheridan, the England prop forward head to head with his opposite prop, Matt Dunning of Australia. Sheridan, probably the strongest prop in the world at the time, loved the challenge of taking Dunning on and I think this image shows how much he intimidated the opposition.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2007: New Zealand vs France The France team, wearing shirts representing the national flag, face up to the New Zealand team as they perform The Haka before during the Quarter Final of the Rugby World Cup 2007 match between New Zealand and France at the Millennium Stadium on October 6, 2007 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2011: England vs Romania Louis Deacon of England out jumps Cristian Constantin Petre of Romania during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between England and Romania at Otago Stadium on September 24, 2011 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2011: South Africa vs Samoa Hannah Peters (Getty): A nice try picture is often hard to get in rugby union as you're often quite far away from the action and you need a few things to go your way. A good dive always helps and also clean backgrounds behind the players and crowd.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2011: Ireland vs Wales Mike Phillips, Alun Wyn Jones and George North sing their national anthem ahead of the quarter final one of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup between Ireland v Wales at Wellington Regional Stadium on October 8, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2011: Wales vs France Sam Warburton of Wales upends wing Vincent Clerc of France during semi final one of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup between Wales and France at Eden Park on October 15, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2011: New Zealand vs France Hannah Peters (Getty): This image was shot from the roof of Eden Park in amongst the light towers when the All Blacks beat France to win the final in 2011. I was harnessed in and attached to a minder so making the right lens choice and praying the play went my way on the final whistle were all big factors in making this image work.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2011: New Zealand vs France Captain Richie McCaw of the All Blacks celebrates winning the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup Final match between France and New Zealand at Eden Park on October 23, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2011: New Zealand win the World Cup The All Blacks had a few parades around New Zealand after winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011. I was waiting for a few hours on top of a ladder for Richie McCaw and the World Cup to arrive. Luckily, he held it up just as they drove past a New Zealand flag to place the picture.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2015: Australia vs Fiji Dan Mullan (Getty): Finally, here is Israel Folau of Australia competing in the air against Metuisela Talebula and Asaeli Tikoirotuma of Fiji during their match in Cardiff. Folau was known for his aerial prowess and this image displays it perfectly, winning the ball against two of his opposition.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2015: Ireland vs Romania A general view of the action during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Ireland and Romania at Wembley Stadium on September 27, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2015: South Africa vs New Zealand Francois Louw of South Africa leaps on to the back of Sonny Bill Williams of the New Zealand All Blacks during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2015: Argentina vs Australia Dan Mullan (Getty): In this image I captured Adam Ashley-Cooper of Australia diving over to score one of his three tries in the semi-final against Argentina to send his team through to the final. I liked this image as Adam is in full flight diving for the try line with the capacity Twickenham crowd watching on.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2015: Argentina vs Australia Dan Mullan (Getty): Another one from the semi-final between Australia and Argentina, here’s Scott Fardy spitting after being cut on the head. This image really stood out for me as something a bit different, it was away from the action and an isolated portrait that showed the brutality of rugby.
Getty Images
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures 2015: New Zealand vs Australia Richie McCaw of the New Zealand All Blacks lifts the Webb Ellis Cup following the victory against Australia in the2015 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 31, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
When does the tournament start? The traditional tournament curtain-raiser is the opening ceremony, which is set to begin at about 10.30am on Friday 20 September.
The opening match follows the opening ceremony, with hosts Japan opening the tournament against Russia.
The match will start at 11:45 BST.
Where can I watch in the UK? You can watch each game on ITV, while Indy Sport will have you covered with live blogs if you're on the move or at your desk. You can also stream the game on mobile devices and on your computer via the ITV website.
When will England begin their pursuit of the Webb Ellis trophy? England kick off their Pool C fixtures against Tonga.
The game will take place on September 22 at 11:15 BST.
The Rugby World Cup begins on Friday (Getty)
Who is playing and what are the pools? There are 20 teams competing in Japan and they are divided into four pools, with the top two progressing to the quarter-finals.
Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa
Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia, Canada
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, United States, Tonga
Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay
The favourites New Zealand 5/4
South Africa 4/1
England 4/1
Ireland 9/1
Wales 9/1
Australia 12/1
France 33/1
Argentina 40/1
Scotland 50/1
Japan 150/1
Latest updates Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
Show latest update 1568970493 Or if you want a slightly more artistic interpretation:
Harry Latham-Coyle 20 September 2019 10:08
1568970983 Switching lanes for a moment, this is a particularly interesting breakdown of what it takes to prepare a rugby team for an event like the World Cup in 2019, from Sam Peters:
Harry Latham-Coyle 20 September 2019 10:16
1568971095 Right, hello all! After much back and forth, I'm finally in place here at the Tokyo Stadium. We've got 15 minutes until the opening ceremony gets underway and already the crowd have got a Mexican wave going. Not too sure what to make of that... safe to say all those packed in here are excited for what's to come.
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:18
1568971310 We’ve already been treated to a performance from the Blue Impulse, Japan’s equivalent of the Red Arrows. Given I’ve been trapped inside an accreditation centre for the past hour or so, I unfortunately missed such a spectacle. I’m told it didn’t last particularly long…
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:21
1568971642 Not long to go now, folks. The atmosphere is slowly building as the Chemical Brothers' 'Hey Boy Hey Girl' blasts through the speakers. Japanese music at its finest!
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:27
1568971737 Oo, we've got movement down below. To give you a picture of what I'm looking at, a great white canvas, with a black frame, is covering the majority of the pitch while groups of people dressed in black and red take up their position around the edges. Let's see what they've got to offer.
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:28
1568971761 This is it! The 60-second count down is under way.
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:29
1568971827 And we're off! The 2019 Rugby World Cup is officially under way!
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:30
1568972041 A traditional start, as to be expected A group of performers clad in white have taken to the centre of the canvas and are currently delivering what looks to be an an ancient ritual as drums bang ominously in the background.
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:34
1568972163 The drums intensify as four rows of performers merge together to form one huge V. The ritual seems to be coming to a climax before the group thrust their arms into the air, ending on one solitary 'Ah!'
Samuel Lovett 20 September 2019 10:36
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies