Rugby World Cup 2019 all you need to know: Squads, fixtures, times

Kieran Read of the All Blacks performs the Haka with teammates. Photo / Photosport

The opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off with hosts Japan taking on Russia on Friday, September 20.

The All Blacks will be looking to win a record third-straight tournament, after taking out the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011 and 2015.

Here's what you need to know about the tournament:

Groups

How to watch

Every match of the World Cup is live on Spark Sport. TVNZ 1 will have 12 matches available on free-to-air, with every All Blacks pool match on one-hour delay and selected matches live (including the All Blacks' quarter-final, both semifinals and final).

The Herald will have live updates for every All Blacks match and Radio Sport will have live commentary.

The All Blacks jersey for the Rugby World Cup 2019. Photo / Photosport

Fixtures

Pool A

Japan v Russia - Live on TVNZ
Fri 20 Sep, 10.45pm (NZT), Tokyo Stadium

Ireland v Scotland
Sun 22 Sep, 7.45pm, International Stadium Yokohama

Russia v Samoa
Tues 24 Sep, 10.15pm, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium

Japan v Ireland
Sat 28 Sep, 7.15pm, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Scotland v Samoa
Mon 30 Sep, 11.15pm, Kobe Misaki Stadium

Ireland v Russia
Thurs 3 Oct, 11.15pm, Kobe Misaki Stadium

Japan v Samoa
Sat 5 Oct, 11.30pm, City of Toyota Stadium

Scotland v Russia
Wed 9 Oct, 8.15pm, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Ireland v Samoa
Sat 12 Oct, 11.45pm, Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium

Japan v Scotland
Sun 13 Oct, 11.45pm, International Stadium Yokohama

Pool B

New Zealand v South Africa
Sat 21 Sep, 9.45pm, International Stadium Yokohama

Italy v Namibia
Sun 22 Sep, 5.15pm, Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Italy v Canada
Thu 26 Sep, 7.45pm, Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium

South Africa v Namibia
Sat 28 Sep, 9.45pm, City of Toyota Stadium

New Zealand v Canada
Wed 2 Oct, 11.15pm, Oita Stadium

South Africa v Italy - Live on TVNZ
Fri 4 Oct, 10.45pm, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

New Zealand v Namibia
Sun 6 Oct, 5.45pm, Tokyo Stadium

South Africa v Canada
Tues 8 Oct, 11.15pm, Kobe Misaki Stadium

New Zealand v Italy
Sat 12 Oct, 5.45pm, City of Toyota Stadium

Namibia v Canada
Sun 13 Oct, 4.15pm, Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium

Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams and Anton Lienert-Brown. Photo / Photosport

Pool C

France v Argentina
Sat 21 Sep, 7.15pm, Tokyo Stadium

England v Tonga
Sun 22 Sep, 10.15pm, Sapporo Dome

England v USA
Thurs 26 Sep, 10.45pm, Kobe Misaki Stadium

Argentina v Tonga - Live on TVNZ
Sat 28 Sep, 4.45pm, Hanazono Rugby Stadium

France v USA
Wed 2 Oct, 8.45pm, Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium

England v Argentina
Sat 5 Oct, 9pm, Tokyo Stadium

France v Tonga
Sun 6 Oct, 8.45pm, Kumamoto Stadium

Argentina v USA
Wed 9 Oct, 5.45pm, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium

England v France
Sat 12 Oct 9.15pm, International Stadium Yokohama

USA v Tonga
Sun 13 Oct, 6.45pm, Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Pool D

Australia v Fiji
Sat 21 Sep, 4.45pm, Sapporo Dome

Wales v Georgia
Mon 23 Sep, 10.15pm, City of Toyota Stadium

Fiji v Uruguay
Wed 25 Sep, 5.15pm, Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium

Georgia v Uruguay
Sun 29 Sep, 6.15pm, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium

Australia v Wales
Sun 29 Sep, 8.45pm, Tokyo Stadium

Georgia v Fiji
Thurs 3 Oct, 6.15pm, Hanazono Rugby Stadium

Australia v Uruguay
Sat 5 Oct, 6.15pm, Oita Stadium

Wales v Fiji - Live on TVNZ
Wed 9 Oct, 10.45pm, Oita Stadium

Australia v Georgia
Fri 11 Oct 11.15pm, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Wales v Uruguay
Sun 13 Oct, 9.15pm, Kumamoto Stadium

Quarter-finals

QF1: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D
Sat 19 Oct, 8.15pm, Oita Stadium

QF2: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
Sat 19 Oct, 11.15pm, Tokyo Stadium

QF3: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C
Sun 20 Oct, 8.15pm, Oita Stadium

QF4: Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
Sun 20 Oct, 11.15pm, Tokyo Stadium

Semifinals

SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 - Live on TVNZ
Sat 26 Oct, 9pm, International Stadium Yokohama

SF2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 - Live on TVNZ
Sun 27 Oct, 10pm, International Stadium Yokohama

Bronze final

Loser SF1 v Loser SF2
Fri 1 Nov, 10pm, Tokyo Stadium

Final

Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 - Live on TVNZ
Sat 2 Nov, 10pm, International Stadium Yokohama

The William Webb Ellis Cup. Photo / Photosport

Squads

Argentina

Coach: Mario Ledesma

Captain: Pablo Matera

Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo, Mayco Vivas, Agustin Creevy, Julian Montoya, Santiago Socino, Juan Figallo, Santiago Medrano, Enrique Pieretto, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lezana, Javier Ortega Desio, Marcos Kremer, Rodrigo Bruni, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Ezcurra, Nicolas Sanchez, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matias Orlando, Matias Moroni, Lucan Mensa, Juan Cruz Mallia, Ramiro Moyano, Bautista Delguy, Emiliano Boffelli, Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Carreras

Australia

Coach: Michael Cheika

Captain: Michael Hooper

Kurtley Beale, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jordan Petaia, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, James O'Connor, Samu Kerevi, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Bernard Foley, Nic White, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Jack Dempsey, David Pocock, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Sekope Kepu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Tolu Latu, Folau Fainga'a, Jordan Uelese

Canada

Coach: Kingsley Jones

Captain: Tyler Ardron

Kyle Baillie, Justin Blanchet, Nick Blevins, Hubert Buydens, Luke Campbell, Andrew Coe, Jeff Hassler, Ciaran Hearn, Matt Heaton, Eric Howard, Jake Ilnicki, Cole Keith, Conor Keys, Ben LeSage, Phil Mack, Jamie Mackenzie, Gordon McRorie, Peter Nelson, Shane O'Leary, Evan Olmstead, Patrick Parfrey, Taylor Paris, Benoit Piffero, Andrew Quattrin, Lucas Rumball, Djustice Sears-Duru, Mike Sheppard, Matthew Tierney, Conor Trainor, DTH van der Merwe

England

Coach: Eddie Jones

Captain: Owen Farrell

Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Piers Francis, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Mark Wilson

Fiji

Coach: John McKee

Captain: Dominiko Waqaniburotu

Mesulame Dolokoto, Samuel Matavesi, Ratu Vere Vugakoto, Campese Ma'afu, Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Manasa Saulo, Kalivati Tawake, Tevita Cavubati, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Tevita Ratuva, Semi Kunatani, Viliame Mata, Mosese Voka, Peceli Yato, Frank Lomani, Nikola Matawalu, Henry Seniloli, Levani Botia, Jale Vatubua, Ben Volavola, Vereniki Goneva, Filipo Nakosi, Waisea Nayacalevu, Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, Joshua Matavesi, Alivereti Veitokani, Kini Murimurivalu

France

Coach: Jacques Brunel

Captain: Guilhem Guirado

Maxime Medard, Thomas Ramos, Yoann Huget, Damian Penaud, Aivereti Raka, Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Sofiane Guitoune, Virimi Vakatawa, Camille Lopez, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont, Maxime Machenaud, Baptiste Serin; Gregory Alldritt, Yacouba Camara, Arthur Iturria, Charles Ollivon, Wenceslas Lauret, Louis Picamoles, Paul Gabrillagues, Bernard Le Roux, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Demba Bamba, Emerick Setiano, Rabah Slimani, Camille Chat, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille, Jefferson Poirot

Georgia

Coach: Milton Haig

Captain: Merab Sharikadze

Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Gogichashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Vano Karkadze, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi Melikidze, Beka Gigashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Mamuka Gorgodze, Kote Mikautadze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Lasha Lomidze, Otar Giorgadze, Beka Gorgadze, Beka Saghinadze; Sandro Todua, Soso Matiashvili, Mirian Modebadze, Zurab Dzneladze, Davit Katcharava, Tamaz Mtchedlidze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Lasha Khmaladze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Giorgi Begadze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Gela Aprasidze

Ireland

Coach: Joe Schmidt

Captain: Rory Best

Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Iain Henderson, Jean Kleyn, Peter O'Mahony, Andrew Porter, Rhys Ruddock, James Ryan, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier; Bundee Aki, Joey Carbery, Jack Carty, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton, Jacob Stockdale

Italy

Coach: Conor O'Shea

Captain: Sergio Parisse

Callum Braley, Guglielmo Palazzani, Tito Tebaldi, Tommaso Allan, Carlo Canna, Tommaso Benvenuti, Michele Campagnaro, Luca Morisi, Mattia Bellini, Giulio Bisegni, Jayden Hayward, Matteo Minozzi, Edoardo Padovani, Simone Ferrari, Andrea Lovotti, Tiziano Pasquali, Nicola Quaglio, Marco Riccioni, Federico Zani, Luca Bigi, Oliviero Fabiani, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Dean Budd, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi, Alessandro Zanni, Maxime Mbanda, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn

Japan

Coach: Jamie Joseph

Captain: Michael Leitch

Keita Inagaki, Yusuke Kizu, Koo Ji-won, Isileli Nakajima, Asaeli Ai Valu, Takuya Kitade, Atsushi Sakata, Shota Horie, Luke Thompson, Wimpie van der Walt, Uwe Helu, James Moore, Hendrik Tui, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Pieter Labuschagne, Kazuki Himeno, Amanaki Mafi, Kaito Shigeno, Fumiaki Tanaka, Yutaka Nagare, Yu Tamura, Rikiya Matsuda, Kenki Fukuoka, Ataata Moeakiola, Lomano Lemeki, William Tupou, Ryoto Nakamura, Timothy Lafaele, Kotaro Matsushima, Ryohei Yamanaka

Namibia

Coach: Phil Davies

Captain: Johan Deysel

Obert Nortje, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Aranos Coetzee, AJ de Klerk, André Rademeyer, Desiderius Sethie, Nelius Theron, Johan Retief, Tjiuee Uanivi, PJ van Lill, Adriaan Booysen, Wian Conradie, Thomasau Forbes, Prince Gaoseb, Max Katjijeko, Rohan Kitshoff, Janco Venter; Helarius Kisting, Lesley Klim, PJ Walters, Chad Plato, Johann Tromp, Darryl de la Harpe, JC Greyling, Justin Newman, Janry du Toit, Cliven Loubser, Eugene Jantjies, Damian Stevens

New Zealand

Coach: Steve Hansen

Captain: Kieran Read

Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Matt Todd, Luke Jacobson, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tuungafasi, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman, Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber

Russia

Coach: Lyn Jones

Captain: Vasily Artemyev

German Davydov, Vasily Dorofeev, Igor Galinovsky, Ramil Gaysin, Dmitry Gerasimov, German Godluk, Kirill Golosnitsky, Yuri Kushnarev, Vladimir Ostroushko, Dmitry Perov, Denis Simplikevich, Vladislav Sozonov, Sergey Yanyushkin, Azamat Bitiev, Sergey Chernyshev, Bogdan Fedotko, Tagir Gadzhiev, Andrey Garbuzov, Kirill Gotovtsev, Victor Gresev, Roman Khodin, Evgeny Matveev, Valery Morozov, Andrey Ostrikov, Vladimir Podrezov, Andrey Polivalov, Stanislav Selsky, Anton Sychev, Nikita Vavilin, Evgeny Yelgin, Vitaliy Zhivatov

Samoa

Coach: Steve Jackson

Captain: Jack Lam

Ed Fidow, Tim Nanai-Williams, Ahsee Tuala, Belgium Tuatagaloa, Henry Taefu, Alapati Leiua, Reynold Lee-Lo, Kieron Fonotia, AJ Atatimu, Tusi Pisi, Ulupano Seuteni, Dwayne Polotaivao, Melani Matavao, Pele Cowley, Afaesetiti Amosa, TJ Ioane, Piula Fa'asalele, Josh Tyrell, Chris Vui, Teofilo Paulo, Kane Leaupepe, Senio Toleafoa, Michael Alaalatoa, Paul Alo-Emile, James Lay, Jordan Lay, Logovi'i Mulipola, Motu Matu'u, Ray Niuia, Seilala Lam

Scotland

Coach: Gregor Townsend

Captain: Stuart McInally

John Barclay, Simon Berghan, Fraser Brown, Scott Cummings, Allan Dell, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, WP Nel, Gordon Reid, Jamie Ritchie, Blade Thomson, Ben Toolis, George Turner, Hamish Watson, Ryan Wilson, Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Peter Horne, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Ali Price, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Duncan Taylor

South Africa

Coach: Rassie Erasmus

Captain: Siya Kolisi

Willie le Roux, Warrick Gelant, Cheslin Kolbe, Sbu Nkosi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Frans Steyn, Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Herschel Jantjies. Forwards: Schalk Brits, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Steven Kitshoff, Tendai Mtawarira, RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen

Tonga

Coach: Toutai Kefu

Captain: Siale Piutau

Siegried Fisi'ihoi, Vunipola Fifita, Latu Talakai, Paula Ngauamo, Sosefo Sakalia, Siula Maile, Siua Halanukonuka, Ma'afu Fia, Ben Tameifuna, Sam Lousi, Leva Fifita, Steve Mafi, Sione Kalamafoni, Mamaa Vaipulu, Fotu Lokotui, Zane Kapeli, Dan Faleafa, Nasi Manu, Sonatane Takulua, Leon Fukofuka, Samisoni Fisilau, Kurt Morath, James Faiva, Malietoa Hingano, Nafi Tuitavake, Atieli Pakalani, David Halaifonua, Viliami Lolohea, Cooper Vuna, Telusa Veainu

United States

Coach: Gary Gold

Captain: Blaine Scully

David Ainu'u, Malon Al-Jiboori, Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Cam Dolan, Dylan Fawsitt, Eric Fry, Hanco Germishuys, James Hilterbrand, Olive Kilifi, Tony Lamborn, Titi Lamositele, Ben Landry, Paul Mullen, Gregor Peterson, Ben Pinkelman, John Quill, Joseph Taufete'e, Nate Augspurger, Marcel Brache, Bryce Campbell, Shaun Davies, Ruben De Haas, Will Hooley, Martin Iosefo, Paul Lasike, AJ MacGinty, Will Magie, Thretton Palamo, Mike Te'o

Uruguay

Coach: Esteban Meneses

Captain: Juan Manuel Gaminara

Facundo Gattas, Joaquín Jaunsolo, Mateo Sanguinetti, Germán Kessler, Guillermo Pujadas, Diego Arbelo, Juan Echeverría, Juan Pedro Rombys, Ignacio Dotti, Manuel Leindekar, Diego Magno, Franco Lamana, Manuel Ardao, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Diana, Juan Diego Ormaechea, Alejandro Nieto, Agustín Ormaechea, Santiago Arata, Felipe Berchesi, Felipe Etcheverry, Juan Manuel Cat, Santiago Vilaseca, Agustín Della Corte, Tomás Inciarte, Federico Favaro, Nicolás Freitas, Leandro Leivas, Gastón Mieres, Rodrigo Silva

Wales

Coach: Warren Gatland

Captain: Alun Wyn Jones

Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright, Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams

Previous winners

1987: New Zealand
1991: Australia
1995: South Africa
1999: Australia
2003: England
2007: South Africa
2011: New Zealand
2015: New Zealand

TAB odds to win

New Zealand 2.25
England 5.00
South Africa 5.50
Ireland 9.00
Wales 11.00
Australia 15.00
France 26.00
Argentina 41.00
Scotland 41.00
Japan 201
Canada 501
Fiji 501
Georgia 501
Italy 501
Namibia 501
Russia 501
Samoa 501
Tonga 501
USA 501
Uruguay 501