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
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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
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Japan have really developed since that South Africa result. It's a complex rugby playing structure in the Land of the Rising Sun, with young players sometimes forced to play university rugby before being selected for the national team, which can stunt growth.
But the introduction of the Sunwolves (surely the best franchise name in the sport) to Super Rugby, the southern hemisphere's premier club competition, has brought a degree of global appeal to Japanese rugby and allowed the squad to gel together throughout the year. Michael Leitch was brought back from his rather successful pursuits in New Zealand to further homogenize the Sunwolves and the national team, and they had their best Super Rugby season last year.
Which of course means SANZAAR are ditching them after next season...
The World Cup juices are beginning to flow, the nerves beginning to jangle and the muscles tensing in the tunnel.
This is your ten minute warning. It's Rugby World Cup time...
Back slaps and roars from the Russian team. It's a lovely kit - royal blue with a latticed red and white band below the nipples.
Not such a fan of Japan's - something's a little off about the mech-style horizontal-ish stripes that zip up the sides.
Anywhere, here come the flag bearers and here come the teams. Anthem time!
The Japanese anthem is an underrated corker. In terms of consistency of anthem quality at World Cups, it's clearly rugby>football>cricket, right?
Cheers as the Russian national anthem comes to an end. I've heard from a couple of people who have played or spent time in Japan that the fans tend to be very non-partisan, and hugely respectful of other teams. I've also been told to expect organised noise and fandom rather than the in-your-face higgledy-piggledy stuff we are more accustomed to.
Right - here we go...
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, PEEP! The 2019 Rugby World Cup is underway!
1 minute
Awful start for the hosts - an error in claiming the opening kick-off and Russia will set a lineout five metres out.
Effectively brought down, and the gnarly Russian pack will maul...
2 minutes
The Russians can't generate any momentum, so whip the ball wider and go off ten, and Japan transgress at the ruck. Nigel Owens confirms the advantage, and after a nice little tip-on from Stanislav Selskii comes to nought Russia will have the penalty.
Ooooooh - they are going to the corner.
3 minutes
Selskii has started well but there is a timing error with his throw, with the lifted player not quite getting up to meet his loopy lob, and Japan gather.
Hold on! A charge down and a Russian player can't quite retrieve the ball before it goes dead! Nearly...
Or not. Nigel Owens was playing advantage for the mid-air fumble at the lineout. Japan will have a chance for a structured exit.
5 minutes
Solid stuff from the two front rows, with Japan working the ball for one phase and then pumping long.
But they keep it in play, and Russia's return kick bounces in a curiously open space as Japan misjudge the flight...
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