England World Cup Rugby betting preview

England are third favourites in betting behind only superpowers New Zealand and South Africa to win the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

Under their Australian coach Eddie Jones, the English have transformed their game to become a much more attacking team in the backs while still maintaining their traditional brutal forward power.

England’s 2019 record has been outstanding even if they have fallen short a couple of times against Wales.

The Welsh and Australia are the most likely opponents for England come the quarter-finals, should they make it that far. They will certainly not be taking anything for granted after the embarrassment of not making it out of their group at the World Cup Rugby tournament they hosted in 2015.

The draw is great for England as they open with games they should win with ease against Tonga and the USA before bigger challenges arise against Argentina and France.

If all goes as expected it gets even better as they can’t meet fellow favourites the Springboks and All Blacks before the semi-finals.

England have won only one of their past 16 matches against the All Blacks and that came in 2012. They are the team they will be hoping to avoid until the last possible opportunity. The final at International Stadium Yokohama on November 2.

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Where England will finish in the 2019 Rugby World Cup

WGL prediction: semi-finals. Anything less would be considered a failure for the English, who seem to have timed their run to perfection.

Previous best World Cup result: Champions 2003.

England’s Rugby World Cup draw

Match 7: England v Tonga, Sunday, Sep 22, Pool C, Sapporo Dome
Match 12: England v United States, Thursday, Sep 26, Pool C, Kobe Misaki Stadium
Match 25: England v Argentina, Saturday, Oct 5, Pool C, Tokyo Stadium
Match 35: England v France, Saturday, Oct 12, Pool C, International Stadium Yokohama

England’s most recent results

February 2: England 32 d Ireland 20, Six Nations, Lansdowne Road, Dublin
February 10: England 44 d France 8, Six Nations, Twickenham, London
February 23: Wales 21 d England 13, Six Nations, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
March 9: England 57 d Italy 14, Six Nations, Twickenham, London
March 16: England 38 drew with Scotland 38, Six Nations, Twickenham, London
August 11: England 33 d Wales 19, Wales tour, Twickenham, London
August 17: Wales 13 d England 6, England tour, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
August 24: England 57 d Ireland 15, Ireland tour, Twickenham, London
September 6: England 37 d Italy 0, Italy tour, Newcastle, England

England’s record against Pool C rivals

France: Played 105: won 58, lost 40, drawn 7. Points for: 1792, Points against: 1336
Argentina: Played 23: won 18, lost 4, drawn 1. Points for: 609, Points against: 363
USA: Played 5: won 5, lost 0. Points for: 253, Points against: 52
Tonga: Played 2: won 2, lost 0. Points for: 137, Points against: 30

England squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Coach: Eddie Jones

Forwards: 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.

Backs: Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Piers Francis, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

Leading try-scorer prediction for England

Jonny May: Why not? May is seriously quick. He can turn off the light switch and be in bed under the covers before it gets dark! With England looking like going deep into the tournament May should have plenty of opportunity to snare some five-pointers. England bat deep though so keep a close eye on their final line-up for the opener against Tonga. Read more about the leading try-scorer chances in Japan.

England predictions – shooting for the stars

England have been relatively quiet over the past few years as first Ireland and then Wales emerged as the power teams in the north. But now the World Cup Rugby year is here they have taken off. They are serious contenders and we are predicting them to be playing a semi-final at worst. So does the nation.

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