Japan vs Russia live stream: How to watch Rugby World Cup 2019 opening fixture online and on TV

The tournament kicks off on Friday with the hosts taking on Russia in Tokyo

Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers

Japan and Russia kick off the 2019 Rugby World Cup today.

Six weeks of exciting rugby all starts here with the hosts against one of world rugby's minnows to kick things off in earnest.

They will go toe to toe in the capital city Tokyo on Friday morning.

It promises to be an exciting occasion and not one to be missed.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the big kick-off:

When does the tournament start?

The opening match follows the opening ceremony, with hosts Japan opening the tournament against Russia on Friday 20 September.

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.

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

[20 September 2019 10:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Or if you want a slightly more artistic interpretation:

[20 September 2019 10:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

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:

[20 September 2019 10:18 · Samuel Lovett]

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.

[20 September 2019 10:21 · Samuel Lovett]

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…

[20 September 2019 10:27 · Samuel Lovett]

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!

[20 September 2019 10:28 · Samuel Lovett]

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.

[20 September 2019 10:29 · Samuel Lovett]

This is it! The 60-second count down is under way.

[20 September 2019 10:30 · Samuel Lovett]

And we're off! The 2019 Rugby World Cup is officially under way!

[20 September 2019 10:34 · Samuel Lovett]

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.

[20 September 2019 10:36 · Samuel Lovett]

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!'