Rugby World Cup live stream: How to watch Japan vs Russia online and on TV
The tournament kicks off in earnest on Friday with the opening ceremony
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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:
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.
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
63 minutes
Japan go to the box of tricks that has so far rather been left alone, a delicate outside-of-the-boot flip over the top of the Russian defensive line that very nearly finds red-and-white onrushing arms. The penalty was theirs, regardless.
Yu Tamura will kick for goal from 45 metres or so, right of centre.
PENALTY!
Perfect strike from Tamura. The lead opens to 13 again.
Japan 23-10 Russia
67 minutes
Another string of changes has only worsened the disorganised nature of the game. Plenty of kicks going up in there, and not many are being brought down effectively. Japan scrum near halfway.
TRY! HAT-TRICK FOR KOTARO MATSUSHIMA!
I'm not even going to try and describe the entire passage of play, with both teams having opportunities to score after making line breaks, but eventually a loose Russia kick in field hands Japan the ball with a three-man overlap, and it's that man again who provides the finishing touches.
Kotaro Matsushima slips a tackle with a clever in to out body movement and sprints around to dive over for his third!
Yu Tamura puts over the extra two.
Japan 30-10 Russia
72 minutes
That's secured the bonus point for Japan, which is what they would have wanted from this opening fixture. It hasn't been quite the pummeling that most thought it would be, but job done, really, as far as the hosts are confirm.
Russia nearly claim a high kick in a dangerous area but the second man there knocks on.
75 minutes
More errors as we enter the game's throes. Japan's replacement back Ryohei Yamanaka nearly wriggles his way through a tackle but the tackler gets a claw to his shoelaces, and drags him down. Japan then knock on, of course. Take a drink.
79 minutes
Away time ticks with the game very much in an end-of-match holding pattern. Japan kick clear well twice, and Russia will have one final go at the Japanese defence.
80 minutes
Russia win a penalty and kick to the 22.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments