Without a shadow of doubt, Pool A is the strongest and most interesting of the pools. It may not contain the best side in the tournament but it contains three sides ranked in the top six in the world – and one of them will not make it out of the pool stage.
Australia (3)
The Aussies are ranked number three in the world and are the current southern hemisphere champions. They have never failed to make it out of pool play before at a world cup. On their day they are capable of beating the best, having beat both New Zealand and South Africa just a few weeks ago.
They have a strong record in England, having won the 1991 and 1999 Cups there. The strengths I see with the Australians are their defence and their backline. Their weakness is the pack and they still don’t have a reliable kicker, which the English and Welsh will try to exploit.
England (5)
The home side is ranked number five in the world. They are another side who have never failed to make it out of the pool stage. They won the tournament in 2003 and finished runner up in 1991 and 2007.
They have a big advantage over their rivals in that they will play all their games at home. The strengths I see for the English side are their pack and their kicking game. They will look to gain ascendancy over their rivals in this department.
Their weakness is the lack of flair in their backline. Of the big three in their group, they look the least likely to rack up big scores against the minnows which may be a factor in getting out of group play.
Wales (6)
They are the sixth ranked side in the world. Many feel they should have been in the final in 2011, narrowly losing to France after the red carding of their captain early in the game.
They will play two games at home against the minnows of the group and two at Twickenham against the big guns. Their strength is the balance of their side. They have a competitive pack and creative backline. Their weakness is their defensive vulnerability to strong backlines, which southern hemisphere sides exploit so well
Fiji (9)
They are the ninth-ranked team in world rugby but it will take a miracle for them to get out of this group. Any other group they would be a chance of sneaking a quarter final appearance, but they are up against it here. They did produce a miracle in 2007 by ,beating Wales in the pool stage of that tournament 38-34 but Wales put them to the sword in 2011, winning 66-0.
The strengths for Fiji are their backline which possess the flair of a sevens side. Their weaknesses are set pieces and defence. They should provide a lot of entertainment and would be a laugh to see them knock off one of the main fancies, but can’t see it happening.
Uruguay (19)
The South Americans are the whipping boys of pool A. They will be lucky to get a point and could be in line for some triple-digit hidings. They have played England once before for a 111-13 hiding and Fiji holds a couple of 20-point wins over them. They might do OK at set pieces against Fiji, but the other three sides should dominate them in every aspect of the game.
Can you imagine Australia being ousted at the pool stage? How about hosts England? Or even the team many felt should have been in the 2011 final, Wales?
One of those scenarios will come to pass. Australia have a great record of winning their last 10 against Wales, albeit the last five wins have been by five points or less.
England have put Australia to the sword in four of their last five clashes and have had the wood on them at Twickenham for a while.
Wales have won three of their last five against England – although they have dropped the last two. A scenario where all three sides finish with three wins and a loss is a very distinct possibility. With that being the case, points for and again could come right into play and the top two spots might come down to who racks up the most points against Fiji and Uruguay.
The first of these teams to clash will be England and Wales. The winner will be able to breathe a little easier but the loser will have their backs up against the wall, knowing their Australia game is a must win.
This in itself gives Australia a big advantage. They can focus everything on the game against the loser of England and Wales, knowing they win that they should qualify. Given England play their games at Twickenham I am going to give them the nod to go through the group unbeaten and Australia to keep their excellent recent record over Wales intact.
It will be tough to see Wales go out so early, but three doesn’t go into two and someone has to go. Life also doesn’t get easier for the runner up of this group as they are likely to face South Africa in the quarter finals.
Prediction
England – 4 wins
Australia – 3 wins
Wales – 2 wins
Fiji – 1 win
Uruguay – 0 wins
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