Fantasy Rugby World Cup 2019 Preview – Pool A

Fantasy Rugby Geekon

With Friday 20th September fast approaching, it’s time to delve a bit deeper into the potential fantasy Rugby World Cup stars. So over the next two weeks FRG is providing a quick preview of all the teams from a fantasy perspective. Today we start with Pool A, featuring Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia and Samoa. 

Ireland

In a nutshell

Starting the year with many proclaiming them as potential RWC winners, Ireland have had a lacklustre 2019 with a disappointing Six Nations behind them. Regardless it would be foolish to write them off on the back of a frustrating Winter. They have never progressed past the Quarter-Finals, and this could well be the year they finally progress to the final four. Blessed with a destructive pack and a young but gifted backline, Ireland have recent scalps of the All Blacks under their belt and will not be afraid of any team.
 

Odds on winning RWC 2019

13/2

Best previous RWC performance

Quarter-Final (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015)

Most likely to make a fantasy impact

Jacob Stockdale (Outside Back – Ulster)

Key players to consider

Tadhg Furlong (Prop – Leinster), Iain Henderson (Lock – Ulster), James Ryan (Lock – Leinster), CJ Stander (Loose Forward – Munster), Conor Murray (Scrum Half – Munster), Jonny Sexton (Fly Half – Leinster), Bundee Aki (Centre – Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Centre – Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Outside Back – Ulster), Jordan Larmour (Outside Back – Leinster) 

Matches with best potential for points returns

Sep 28 – Ireland v Japan – ECOPA Stadium, Shizuoka
Oct 03 – Ireland v Russia – Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Oct 12 – Ireland v Samoa – Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka

Scotland

In a nutshell

Scotland, ever the enigma; one moment imperious, the next disastrous (typified entirely by their incredible 38-38 draw against England at the 2019 Six Nations). Scotland have talents throughout their team to cause problems for anyone, but will they click in Japan? Placed in a favourable Pool, they should have what it takes to progress, with their crucial match-up against Japan being likely to decide who makes it through to the Quarters. A lot will hang on the shoulders of Finn Russell, a man capable of bringing in huge fantasy hauls.
 

Odds on winning RWC 2019

33/1

Best previous RWC performance

Semi-Final (1991)

Most likely to make a fantasy impact

Stuart Hogg (Outside Back – Exeter Chiefs)

Key players to consider

Stuart McInally (Hooker – Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Lock – Glasgow), Ryan Wilson (Loose Forward – Glasgow), Finn Russell (Fly Half – Racing 92), Stuart Hogg (Outside Back – Exeter Chiefs)

Matches with best potential for points returns

Sept 30 – Scotland v Samoa – Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Oct 09 – Scotland v Russia – ECOPA Stadium, Shizuoka

Japan

In a nutshell

Japan were considered by many to be the highlight of the 2015 World Cup after their unforgettable victory in Brighton over the Springboks and many felt they were unlucky not to reach the Quarter-Finals after some impressive performances. This time round they have the advantage of being hosts as well as a seemingly easier group, but they still may struggle to reach the quarters. A lot will hang on their result against Scotland on the 13th October and some will point to the advantage provided by Scotland having just a 3 day rest prior to this climactic battle. With the majority of the squad coming from the Sunwolves, they should be a well organised and attack-minded unit, but they may not have quite enough to progress.
 

Odds on winning RWC 2019

300/1

Best previous RWC performance

Group Stage (1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)

Most likely to make a fantasy impact

Amanaki Mafi (Loose Forward – Sunwolves)

Key players to consider

Amanaki Mafi (Loose Forward – Sunwolves), Ryoto Nakamura (Centre – Suntory Sungoliath), Kotaro Matsushima (Outside Back – Suntory Sungoliath)

Matches with best potential for points returns

Sept 20 – Japan v Russia – Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo

Russia

In a nutshell

Qualifying via a highly controversial decision following the infamous disqualifications of Romania, Spain and Belgium; Russia will be hoping for little more than putting in some strong performances and perhaps leaving with a win. Having played in one prior RWC in 2011, they will be looking to win fans over and will be looking to make a big statement on the opening night of the tournament.
 

Odds on winning RWC 2019

500/1

Best previous RWC performance

Group Stage (2011)

Most likely to make a fantasy impact

Vasily Artemyev (Outside Back – Krasny Yar)

Key players to consider

Best to keep clear…

Matches with best potential for points returns

Sept 20 – Russia v Japan – Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

Samoa

In a nutshell

Always a respected team to be wary of, Samoa have claimed some notable scalps at previous Rugby World Cups, including Wales in 1991 and 1999, and having close calls against England in 2003, South Africa and Wales in 2011 & Scotland in 2015. Capable of causing some ripples, this is still a comparatively weak Samoa side compared to past years, having been less than impressive in Qualifying, finishing the Oceania 1 qualifiers in bottom spot with one win and three losses and scraping through via the Repechage. They remain highly entertaining and their opponents will end the 80 always knowing that they have been in a serious battle.
 

Odds on winning RWC 2019

500/1

Best previous RWC performance

Quarter-Final (1991, 1995)

Most likely to make a fantasy impact

Alapati Leiua (Centre – Bristol Bears)

Key players to consider

Chris Vui (Lock – Bristol Bears), Alapati Leiua (Centre – Bristol Bears), Tim Nanai-Williams (Outside Back – Clermont) 

Matches with best potential for points returns

Sept 24 – Samoa v Russia – Kumagaya Stadium, Kumagaya

POOL A PREDICTIONS…

  1. Ireland
  2. Scotland
  3. Japan
  4. Samoa
  5. Russia

If you want to learn more about the other Pools, check out our overview of Pool B here, Pool C here and Pool D here.

 

Fantasy Rugby Games for Rugby World Cup

A summary of the top games that you can play fantasy rugby for the Rugby World Cup…

  • The Rugby Magazine – Stats rich salary cap style game – Check out our review here
  • PlayOn – Daily Fantasy for Rugby – Sign up today here to receive a free $22 entry with a first-time deposit – Check out a previous review here (Rugby World Cup review coming…).
  • SuperBru – An old favourite with salary cap fantasy rugby among other games and sports – Check out our review here.
  • The Irish Times – Salary cap game with a €3000 top prize – Check out our review here.
  • The Daily Telegraph – Salary cap game with a £5000 top prize – Check out our review here.

Pre-tournament articles

In case you missed any of our other pre-World Cup articles, make sure you check out the following to help guide your pre-tournament preparations…

Get free tickets to The Rugby Show

The Rugby Show is a two-day gathering at the Ricoh Arena, home of Wasps, in July 2020. The Rugby Show already has a fantastic range of phenomenal speakers from across the professional game. The likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Maggie Alphonsi, current England World Cup duo, Joe Marler and George Kruis and World Cup winner Sarah Hunter will be talking about their own experiences, about coping with injury, maintaining fitness, nutrition, providing demonstrations on how to improve your skills as a player and more. The line-up also includes recent MMA convert James Haskell, Premiership regulars Jimmy Gopperth and Tommy Taylor to name a few.

Registration has now gone live and as an ambassador of the Rugby Show, Fantasy Rugby Geek is offering you FREE ENTRY to the event (which usually costs £15 for an adult ticket). Click this link https://the-rugby-show-2020.reg.buzz/fantasy-rugby-geek and enter the following code TRS20GRASSROOTS to book your FREE tickets now!

Looking for more Fantasy Rugby insight and Resources?

New for the 2019/20 season, we are proud to present the The Fantasy Rugby Handbook. An exhaustive collection of wisdom and experience gained from over a decade of fantasy rugby playing. Primarily aimed at less experienced players but with enough nuggets of wisdom and insight for even the most grizzled fantasy rugby veteran. There is something here for all players. The eBook is available to download now for just £3.99 on Gumroad as a PDF and on Amazon in Kindle format (Free on Kindle Unlimited) – check it out!

If you want some more sources to help you finalise your decisions, go to our resources page where you’ll find all the 2019 Rugby World Cup fantasy games, all the stats sources, injury news, team news, fantasy relevant rugby betting odds and tons of other useful information.

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