RWC Pool B: Decided in Game One

In the second of our summaries of the World Cup groups, we see the current champions faced with a hard fight to top their pool. This group will more than likely be decided in Game One of the pool, on Day Two of the Championship, when New Zealand and South Africa face off in Yokohama. Elsewhere Italy look most likely to gain automatic qualification for 2023, while Canada and Namibia will duke it out to avoid the dishonour of last place. So what are the key points for each team ahead of Japan?

Four years ago New Zealand completed the first-ever back-to-back championship.
They're under more pressure than ever this time around.

RWC Pool A: This could go anywhere

The World Cup is just around the corner, which means it's time to review the Pools. First up we've got Pool A, containing two age-old 6 Nations rivals, the home nation, and one of the most physical teams in the tournament. With recent results, this pool looks closer than ever between the main four. We could see some complicated pool stage mathematics being pulled out to figure out who qualifies.

Japan made history four years ago, now they are the host nation, can they go further, and reach the quarter finals?

Quick Tap: Wales are Top of the Pile

The world ranking system barely makes sense, no one really likes it, and ultimately it doesn't matter. And yet, right now, the Welsh public don't care. They don't care that it came by avoiding New Zealand for nearly two years, they don't care it came by squeaking home against England (although beating the old rival to go top does bring an extra level of satisfaction), and they really don't care that the Kiwi media are insulting them and calling their place at the top "laughable".

The fact of the matter is, this is yet another moment to add to the long list of accolades achieved by Gatland in his decade long tenure as Welsh coach. Drop all the question's over "Do Wales deserve to be number 1", and the critique of the system, and appreciate the work Gatland has put into to Welsh rugby.

North scored the try which put Wales top of the world, meanwhile, Ken Owens turns into the Messiah.