World Cup Daily - September 19 Preview

Total Sport previews day two of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, as eight more nations get their campaigns under way, with our daily digest...

Today at the World Cup

Yesterday might have been the spectacle but today it’s down to the nitty gritty. Eight sides, including South Africa, France and Ireland, all get their respective competitions off and running during an 11-hour rugby marathon which’ll leave bums numb and fridges bare.

First up is perhaps the least appetising of all the games today, as Tonga take on Georgia at Kingsholm. The two sides have never met in a World Cup game. Then Ireland face Canada at the Millennium Stadium. The Irish are unbeaten in all matches against their opponents, though they did draw 27-27 in a friendly back in 2000.

South Africa will be aiming to prove a few doubters wrong when they launch Brighton’s World Cup party against the Japanese in the early evening. The Springboks, who won the competition in 1995 and 2007, have never come face-to-face with Japan in a Test match previously, have named the most experienced starting XV in their history for this clash – with 880 caps between them.

The Twickenham evening showpiece features a Six Nations duel between France and Italy. The Italians have beaten the French in two of the past five meetings between the sides but shipped 29 unanswered points to Thierry Dusatoir & Co in March.

Who to watch

In the opening game of the day, Tongan winger Fetu’u Vainikolo needs just a single try to become his country’s leading international tryscorer with 15, while Ireland will be wary of Canadian wing Jeff Hassler. Hassley, who plays for Ospreys, is one of Canada’s most effective weapons – both in terms of ball-carrying and disrupting opposition attacks.

The two old men of South Africa and Japan – Victor Matfield and Hitoshi Ono – should provide a fascinating contest in the second row at Brighton, while late in the day France and Italy’s clash is likely to be decided up front, with the work of Dusatoir and Sergio Parisse under scrutiny.

Where to watch

The Abbey Hotel & ArtBar (1, North Parade, BA11LF): With an outdoor screen on their stunning terrace, guests can sit back and enjoy the games with a drink and graze from the impressive bar menu. Don’t worry, if the British weather doesn’t hold out you’ll be invited to enjoy the game from the warmth of the ArtBar.

For a full rundown of where to watch the Rugby World Cup in Bath, click here.

When to watch

Tonga vs Georgia is a noon kick-off on ITV1, while Ireland vs Canada follows on the same channel at 2.30pm. South Africa vs Japan is due to get under way at 4.45pm, again on ITV1, before coverage moves to ITV4 for the 8pm kick-off at Twickenham – France vs Italy.

Radio coverage is available on BBC Radio Five Live and Five Live Sports Extra.

World Cup meal

This is a monster World Cup banquet, so hopefully you avoided a trip to the kebab shop last night.

Open up with a cold matsoni soup. This Georgian speciality is essentially fermented milk with a sprinkling of herbs and should sort out the props from the three-quarters.

The feature piece of your banquet is South African bobotie – basically spice minced meat underneath an egg-based topping and complimented by plenty of spices. Nom.

On the side of your main course, make sure you give yourself a generous dollop of colcannon – Irish mashed potato, infused with cabbage and bacon and making my mouth water writing about it.

For pudding, you’re spoilt for choice. Crème brulee is the winner.

Predictions

Tonga and Georgia presents the closest contest of the day, in theory. Tonga should have just enough to sneak victory, and we’re calling a margin on seven points. Under 39.5 points in the game could be worth a flutter at 10/11.

Ireland need a fast start – something they rarely get in World Cups – and Canada are no mugs. The Irish will win, but Canada at even-money with a 41.5-point start on the handicap market at Bet365 looks tantalising value.

South Africa have plenty in the locker to see off Japan and ought to canter away. A winning margin of 40-plus points should be expected but none of the markets look particularly engaging for this one.

In the final game of the day, we’re predicting a France victory by 10, with the 10/11 on offer from Bet365 for fewer than 43.5 points in the match looking like value.