Australia and Wales enter the tournament as heavy dark horses.
They are expected to get out of this group, with not much resistance from Georgia, Fiji and Uruguay.
But both teams will be out to avoid a possible showdown with England in the quarterfinal and will therefore go all out to end Pool D in pole position.
As for the rest of this group’s contenders, they won’t have much hope of making it to the playoffs.
Fiji
World ranking: 9
Best World Cup:
Quarterfinalists 1987, 1999 and 2007
Key players:
Lock Leone Nakarawa, is arguably the most skilful second-rower in the world and has an offload game second to none.
While he will be a threat up front, also watch out for big winger Vereniki Goneva.
Prediction:
Fiji got the better of fellow Pacific Islanders Tonga and Samoa recently, meaning they are in good form heading into the tournament.
Known more for their strengths in the Sevens game, the Fijians have natural flair and will eye two wins at this campaign.
THREAT: Winger Vereniki Goneva. Photo: Christophe Ena/AP.
Squad:
Campese Ma’afu, Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Mesulame Dolokoto, Samuel Matavesi, Ratu Vere Vugakoto, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Manasa Saulo, Kalivati Tawake, Tevita Cavubati, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Tevita Ratuva, Semi Kunatani, Viliame Mata, Mosese Voka, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 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.
Australia
World ranking: 6
Best World Cup:
Winners 1991 and 1999
Key players:
Israel Folau was going to be their biggest threat at the tournament, but we all know what happened to him.
And now the Aussies need someone to step in for the star who had his contract torn up.
Returning flanker David Pocock will play a big role in turning over ball for his team, while Kurtley Beale, will be the man tasked to provide the magic in the backline.
Also watch out for James O’Connor, who is back in the national team fold.
Prediction:
Australian coach Michael Cheika has been under pressure to keep his job for a few years now.
The Wallabies simply aren’t the threat they used to be. But having beaten New Zealand recently, they proved that they can still turn on the style when they have to.
The Aussies, in general, up their game when it comes to big events and you can expect to see the best of Cheika and his team in Japan.
If they win this group, anything can happen in the playoffs.
Squad:
Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White.
Wales
World ranking: 5
Best World Cup:
Third in 1987
Key players:
When Wales lost fullback Leigh Halfpenny for the last World Cup, their chances to win went down the toilet.
He will again be a big player, alongside Dan Biggar, whose role became so much bigger after they lost Gareth Anscombe to injury, wing George North Justin Tupiric to name a few.
But the man that will be key to Wales’s chances is captain and Six Nations Player of the Year Alun Wyn Jones.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Wales' Alun Wyn Jones. Photo: Matthew Childs/Reuters.
Prediction:
Unbeaten in this year’s Six Nations, Wales have never been this big of a threat in a World Cup year.
Under coach Warren Gatland they have become a real force in world rugby and have what it takes to go all the way.
Their match against Australia, though, will be an important fixture and if the Dragons can get through that, they might be the real “surprise package” this year.
Squad:
Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 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.
Georgia
World ranking: 12
Best World Cup:
Pool stage 2003-2015
Key player:
The “Georgian Beast” Mamuka Gorgodze, retired from international rugby in 2016.
But the 35-year-old flanker decided to pick up his weapons again to fight for his country after a string of injuries ahead of the World Cup.
The looseforward is Georgia’s ultimate go-to-guy, having also being the leading try scorer of all time for his country.
This will be his fourth World Cup.
Prediction:
Georgia played Scotland twice in the build-up to the World Cup to suffer their only defeats of the year.
They don’t often get to play against top-tier nations and that is not helping their game.
Georgia should get the better of Uruguay, while the match against Fiji will make for some interesting viewing.
Squad:
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, Merab Sharikadze, Tamaz Mtchedlidze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Lasha Khmaladze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Giorgi Begadze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Gela Aprasidze.
BEAST: Mamuka Gorgodze will return to international rugby for Georgia. Photo: Supplied.
Uruguay
World ranking: 19
Best World Cup:
1999, 2003 and 2015
Key player:
Fly-half-cum-centre Juan Manuel Cat, is the playmaker of this squad.
He has good vision and good handling, able to create something out of nothing.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/RugbyUruguay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RugbyUruguayto within three of @RugbyCanada as the race for #RWC2019 hots up. pic.twitter.com/9X6qUCuGcR
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup)
Prediction:
Uruguay are in danger of losing all their matches in this pool.
Their best bet at the World Cup is probably getting those moments of magic.
Squad:
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 Manuel Gaminara (captain), 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.
Pool D Fixtures:
September
- 21: Australia v Fiji (6.45am)
- 23: Wales v Georgia (12.15pm)
- 25: Fiji v Uruguay (7.15am)
- 29: Georgia v Uruguay (7.15am)
- 29: Australia v Wales (9.45am)
October
- 3: Georgia v Fiji (7.15am)
- 5: Australia v Uruguay (7.15am)
- 9: Wales v Fiji (11.45am)
- 11: Australia v Georgia (12.15pm)
- 13: Wales v Uruguay (10.15am)